Advent 4: Mary’s Decision and Ours

by Chris Findley, Editor, H2R

The waiting is almost over. One-half of a very busy week is all that separates us from Christmas day. Only a few more days of morning commutes, perhaps one last trip to the mall and then we can celebrate! This week will be a week of decisions. This week many of us will decide on that final gift, or that final schedule for the holidays. Final decisions will be made (if they haven’t already) about when, where, and what we will eat and when gifts will be opened. We will make many decisions this week about Christmas. But have you ever stopped to think just how many decisions you make in a day or a month? Some of them are big, some are small, but part of living our lives means making decisions. And one of the things we must remember is that our decisions matter.

One observant writer noted, “It may be true that there are two sides to every question, but it is also true that there are two sides to a sheet of flypaper, and it makes a big difference to the fly which side he chooses.” 1

The Advent season has been attempting to draw us in, help us search, to prepare us for the coming of Christ. This time of preparation has had a purpose. We want to be awake and prepared so that we can decide. The word “Advent” means “arrival” and with Jesus’ arrival there always comes decision. With his arrival there comes invitation, an invitation to recognize, an invitation to believe, an invitation to follow. Advent’s goal is for us to be ready to decide how we will respond when Jesus our Lord arrives. The Gospel lesson for this 4th Sunday of Advent centers on Mary’s response to the invitation of God. There is perhaps no better example than Mary to help us move from the anticipation of Advent to the celebration of Christmas.

Mary

Before converting to Catholicism I didn’t pay much attention to the Blessed Virgin. Unfortunately many people don’t have a clue about Mary and don’t quite know what to do with her. Many people think Catholics overemphasize her, so many (especially Protestants) ignore her. Since becoming Catholic, I have come to deeply revere her. I see why the Church holds her up as the model of discipleship for she is the one who said “yes” to God before anyone else. She had a unique role in Salvation History and a role from which we can learn what it looks like to be prepared for Christ’s coming. What should we be pondering as we make our final preparations for Christmas?

Advent 2: Prepare!

by Chris Findley, Editor, H2R

A story is told that, several centuries ago, a Japanese emperor commissioned an artist to paint a bird. A number of months passed, then several years, and still no painting was brought to the palace. Finally the emperor became so exasperated that he went to the artist’s home to demand an explanation. Instead of making excuses, the artist placed a blank canvas on the easel. In less than an hour, he completed a painting that was to become a brilliant masterpiece. When the emperor asked the reason for the delay, the artist showed him armloads of drawings of feathers, wings, heads, and feet. Then he explained that all of this research and study had been necessary before he could complete the painting.¹

Our responsibility in Advent is a lot like that. On Christmas the painting is revealed. In Advent, we do all we can to be ready for the picture God wants to paint in and for us. Today’s Mass reading from 2 Peter can be a great help in learning what kind of preparation we should be aiming for this Advent.

“Without spot or blemish, and at peace.” (vs 14)

Both 1 Peter and 2 Peter are concerned with not only what to believe, but how we should live. This passage is near the end of Peter’s second letter which was written near the end of his life. It has a very pastoral focus and concern. Peter encourages the Christians to keep an Advent mindset by waiting and watching. As they do this, he instructs them (and us) to strive to keep obedience to God at the forefront of their lives. Look at verse 14, “Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.” (ESV)

You see, as we wait, Peter says to strive or “be diligent” for what? To be without spot or blemish.

Motivated by the Lord’s promise to come to us, we are called to prepare by cleaning house in our souls. Peter is making a reference here to the Old Testament. Any sacrifice to the Lord was required to be without spot or blemish. It was to be perfect. In the end, only Jesus fulfills that command perfectly. But an often overlooked point is that you and I, by virtue of our Baptism are dedicated to the Lord as well. So, Peter reminds us that, while we are in this in-between time in this life, we are to strive for the perfection God requires. To the best of our ability, the deepest of our prayers, should be to truly do what God wants and asks of us. One of the most distressing things for me is to here Catholics who know what to do, flatly refuse to obey. When I hear people say, “I know what the Bible says…I know what the Church teaches but I’m going to do what I want to do.” I shudder. It’s like hearing an echo of Eden. It is exactly what Adam and Eve did and it did not work out so well for them! Peter calls for obedience and discipline. He challenges us to quit playing at following Jesus and follow him radically and without reserve. We are to strive to the best of our ability for the perfection we are called to. And do you see what is tied to that? Peace! Obedience is not a path to a kill-joy life. It is not an aimless road into Victorian restraint. Obedience to our Lord leads to peace…the peace that passes understanding. If your soul feels tossed about and uneasy and full of dis-ease, then heed Peter’s call: “be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish”

Practical Evangelism Part II: Live it!

By Chris Findley

Any discussion of evangelism usually comes to the question of action: “What should I do?” Quite often these discussions center on how to move a conversation to spiritual things or how to tactfully bring someone to Mass or how to pass out material in a non-threatening way. These actions, when done in the right way, are certainly helpful. But they are secondary. The opportunity to have spiritual conversations, or to invite someone to Mass, or pass along a relevant book will come seldom, if at all, if we are not living our faith ourselves. But this does not mean that we have to wait until we arrive at some level of holiness before we have the ability to act. If so, I wouldn’t be writing and none of us would ever do anything! No, to live our faith to the best of our ability is a pre-requisite because we simply cannot share what we do not have. If our relationship with our Lord is strained or broken, our Mass attendance and devotion weak, or our conviction about truth of the Church diminished, then our attempts at evangelization will be stunted and our effectiveness hampered.

On the other hand, when you are actively engaged in your faith, regular in prayer and Mass attendance, and intentional about diving into spiritual reading, you are laying the foundation for much more effective evangelization. Why? Because you truly know who it is you are talking about when you speak and act on your faith. This gives you credibility through authenticity. So live it!

Evangelism techniques have come and gone through the years. Many of them worked well at certain points in history. But techniques and presentations are constantly changing to suit the changing demands culture. Most of these methods are based in modern rationalism and seek to explain the faith in the ways that people are thinking. Our Protestant neighbors have often excelled in actively seeking to engage the culture.

But there is something, one thing, that has been effective since the days of the first apostles right down to the present. It is the power of example. It is the power of a devoted Catholic Christian unflinchingly living out their faith right in the midst of daily life. They say their prayers, pray their rosary and read their Bibles. They faithfully live out the church’s teaching, difficult or not. They make progress and stumble. The fall down and get back up. They simply live their faith and those around them notice.

Fr. Edward Garesche noted, “There is an argument stronger than any logic –a way of preaching that is open to everyone and to which no living soul can choose but listen: the argument of a steadfast good example, of a consistent living up to our Catholic principles and our Catholic beliefs.”1

You may not feel gifted in persuasion in one-on-one evangelism, in making direct invitations or passing books out, but you can be a witness with your life. You can, by your life, speak more persuasively than any argument could.

The principle is this: A Catholic Christian lifestyle is contagious when lived authentically.

Why am I Catholic?

I thought I would share this video.  It is well done and gives a nice introduction to some of the reasons to be Catholic.  Enjoy!  You can find out more about the producer here >>>

Chris, Ed., H2R

A Journey in Prayer

By Randy Hain

I was recently reflecting on my faith journey over the last few years. I converted to the Catholic Church in 2006 along with my wife. I was raised in the Baptist church until I stopped attending as a 15 year old and had no relationship with God until I experienced a powerful personal conversion in late 2005 while attending my second mass. My 23 years in the “spiritual wilderness” were challenging in that my life revolved around only work and then after my marriage, family and work was the focus. God was always watching over me, but I didn’t have Him in my life and I certainly didn’t pray until after my conversion to the Church.

Before I began RCIA in the fall of 2006, I studied the Catholic faith in earnest. I tend to intellectualize everything and my first thoughts were to learn everything I could about our Church. I quickly realized there was more to our wonderful Faith than knowledge, history and tradition! I then began to focus on being the best Catholic I could and starting on my true faith journey versus simply immersing myself in books. One of the biggest obstacles for me in those days was my lack of prayer life. I knew I needed to pray, but I couldn’t ever remember sincerely praying about anything. I was struggling with the typical male challenge of asking for help, especially asking God for help! Who was I to bother Him with my petty problems?

I went to one of our Deacons, shared my prayer challenges with him and asked for his guidance. He looked at me with some amusement and said I was approaching prayer in the wrong way. “Don’t worry about asking for help just yet”, he said. Simply go to the Lord with thanks and be grateful for the blessings in my life. Eventually, I would learn to ask God for help and guidance, but start by sincerely thanking Him. The light bulb went off and I finally got it! I now understood that my faith journey would never grow unless I had an active prayer life! This was the beginning of my prayer journey that has continued to unfold and grow with each passing day. I would like to share with you the stages of my prayer journey as a Catholic, lessons I have learned and insights into how I pray that I hope you will find helpful.

Stage One of my prayer life was learning to thank God and be grateful. Going to Him in prayer and reflecting on the countless blessings in my life every day is how I learned to appreciate and acknowledge the Lord’s role in my life. To this day I never start a prayer without thanking Him.

Stage Two for me was learning to ask for forgiveness. I go to reconciliation frequently, but it is still important for me to ask the Lord for his pardon and forgiveness when I commit a sin-which is more frequent than I care to admit! It has become like a daily Examination of Conscience for me to reflect on where I have failed Him and ask for forgiveness and the strength to not commit that sin again.

Stage Three was asking for His help and guidance. I think men in general struggle with asking for help and I am no exception. My growing prayer life and deepening faith journey has given me the humility to realize that I don’t have all the answers and that Jesus absolutely wants to help me. Early on I would tentatively ask for help with the BIG stuff like getting my family get to Heaven, blessing our Priests and Deacons, giving our leaders wisdom, etc. Now, I am very comfortable asking for His help in every facet of my life. But, first I had to gain the humility to recognize that without our Lord I am nothing and I need His strength.

Stage Four in my prayer journey has been learning to completely unburden myself to the Lord. This has occurred only in the last several months. I have always been inclined to carry my stress, frustrations, worries and fears around with me like a secret weight around my neck. As I was getting better at asking the Lord for help, I began asking for His help to lighten these mental and emotional burdens. I am so grateful that I now can go to Him and absolutely give Him what ever is weighing me down, from work stress to concern about my children’s future. What ever it is, I share it with Jesus as he asked us to in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me, all you who are weary and find life burdensome, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon your shoulders and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. Your souls will find rest, for my yoke is easy and my burden light.”

I am confident that there will always be more and evolving stages of prayer growth for me if I am humble and always focused on deepening my relationship with Christ. St. Teresa of Avila wrote frequently on the stages of prayer, especially in her book The Interior Castle. I hope to reach the contemplative and mystical prayer life she describes in her works and pray that Jesus will lead me there.

Some important lessons I have learned (and keep on learning!) in my prayer life that I would like to share with you include:

• Make time for prayer-just do it! If you don’t schedule prayer time and stick to it, it will not happen. Starting the day with prayer is often best and build slowly from there. Ask yourself if you would be willing to spend only 30 minutes a day with your loved ones. Hopefully the answer is a resounding NO! Ok, then why do we struggle to give the Lord at least 30 minutes a day in prayer?
• Have the proper disposition before praying. It is important to have the right attitudes of humility and faith that God can and will help us before we start praying. Reading scripture or a book of meditations like In Conversation With God or Imitation of Christ every day before prayer will prepare our heads and hearts to approach the Lord in a deeper and more meaningful way and receive His graces.
• Work through the “dry patches”. We all experience dryness in our prayers or have trouble focusing. We may feel that God is not listening. We may fall into the trap of asking God to validate what we want instead of submitting to His will. I promise that you will experience this, but keep at it! Mother Teresa’s book revealed decades of dryness and despair in her prayer life and yet she persevered!
• Eucharistic Adoration is a gift! We are so fortunate to have perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in our parish. Going before the Blessed Sacrament and having quiet prayer time in the presence of Christ will energize you and become a catalyst for dramatically growing your prayer life.
• Practice more listening and less talking in prayer. Adoration is the perfect place to listen to the Lord in complete silence. We are often so busy talking that we fail to hear Him and this detracts from our quality prayer time.

· We can’t grow our Faith Journey without growing our Prayer Life! We simply will not grow our relationship with Christ unless we do so through prayer. According to the Catechism (2744), Prayer is the lifeblood of your faith. Without prayer, your faith will die.

Finally, I would like to share some insights into how I pray in the hope that it will inspire you and help you deepen your own prayer lives:

• I start every day by reading the bible or the Magnificat and the scripture for the mass that day. I then read In Conversation With God by Francis Fernandez and reflect on the meditation it contains and how it applies to my life. I follow with prayer and offer the day up to God.
• I have been a Eucharistic Guardian since January of 2007 and this is the best hour of my week. No matter what is going on in my life, I can come into the True presence of Christ and share my life with Him in prayer. It is absolutely uplifting and energizing for me and a great way to start my day.
• I started praying the Rosary just 3 weeks ago and have started praying it on my way to work or while on my treadmill. I put praying the Rosary off for so long, but it is becoming a critical part of my prayer life and a true blessing. This goes hand in hand with my ever deepening love and appreciation for Mary and asking for her intercession and prayers.
• The Daily Examen, developed by the Jesuits, is a critical part of my daily routine. Basically, you are to stop 5 times throughout the day for a few minutes of reflection and prayer. Each stopping point has a specific purpose such as the Prayer of Thanksgiving, Praying for Insight, Praying that you will find God in all things that day, Praying for your desires and what you seek from God and finally a Prayer about the Future and what you will resolve to do tomorrow. It is best to actually put these 5 minute blocks on your calendar throughout the day so you will be reminded.
• Pray at every meal-public and private. It is important for us be thankful and acknowledge Christ and ask for His blessing.
• My wife and I pray with our children every night. It is important for them to develop their own prayer lives. They see our example and we also grow by sharing our prayer lives with them.

Brothers and sisters, I certainly don’t have all the answers and I am no expert on prayer. I simply wanted to share with you as someone who struggles with the same issues and obstacles as you, that my prayer life and my faith journey have grown together. I didn’t have any kind of prayer life just 3 years ago and now I couldn’t imagine living a life without one. I hope this proves helpful and I promise to pray for all of you and would humbly ask that you pray for me and my family. Thanks and God bless you.

More of Randy’s Writing >>>

Dealing with Difficult People…with Charity

Recently a friend of mine, in the process of converting to the Catholic Church, emailed me the following question:

In your experience – How do you best reach people who from the outset of your conversation appear to believe that you are both nutty and a border-line bumbling idiot? While they seem also to maintain a total disregard for what you are trying to share with them in relation to the faith, Church doctrine, Traditions, etc …?

My biggest struggle is suppressing my anger that seems to result in many instances while trying to maintain an approach of love and being a good witness in reaching them.

Anyone who has converted to the Catholic Church has had people question their conversion. Sometimes this comes from well-intentioned friends who are curious about the conversion and the beliefs that accompany it. Other times it seems people come out of the woodwork, suddenly concerned for your immortal soul. One might start hearing from old acquaintances, college roommates, high school pals, your sister-in-law and 3rd cousin who now express their “grave misgivings” about your conversion.

Their “misgivings” are usually based on some caricature of the Catholic Church and have no basis in reality. For example you might hear something like this:

“Aren’t all Catholic priests pedophiles? How could you join a church of pedophiles?”

“My preacher said the Pope is the anti-Christ.”

“I just believe what the Bible says. I don’t see any Catholic stuff about popes and priests and mass in there.”

“The Church is obsessed with sexuality.”

“Why do Catholics worship Mary?”

“If the Church is so good, why did it sponsor the crusades?”

“How could an otherwise rational person believe [fill in the blank]“

And it can get more ridiculous and heated than this. What are you to do when confronted about your Catholic Conversion by inaccurate assumptions about the Church?

First, take a breath and pray. When I get “hit” by one of these, it makes me instantly angry. I want to just lash out and launch a verbal tirade in retaliation. As a former Army officer I learned the skill of sarcastic, understated insults (or maybe it’s the Irish in me!) In any case, it is at precisely these moments we need to understand that we are representatives of our Lord and his Church. Our response to insults and false accusations needs to be tempered by the reminder that Jesus went through it first. In that moment you and I have the opportunity to share, in a small way, with our Lord’s sufferings. He was misunderstood, misrepresented, and mistreated. Let this thought settle into your mind and when you receive a “zinger”. Take a breath and say a quick prayer for wisdom.

Second, do NOT go defensive. Do not accept the role of defense. That just results in “Yes you do!” and “No I don’t” matches that accomplish nothing. I’m not an expert in swordsmanship but it seems we can respond in a ways similar to a swordsman: attack, defend, or parry. To “Parry” means to “deflect”. So “parry” the attack by questioning their assumptions. When confronted with, “How can you worship Mary? Catholic’s worship Mary!” Instead of saying, “No, actually they don’t.” Come back with, “Where did you get that idea?” That will most likely bring a response of, “I read…” or “I saw a movie…” or “My brother-in-law used to be Catholic and he said…” For one, it will help you see where they are coming from and it will help you have a minute to think.

Third, respond honestly with charity. Simply answer their question as honestly as you in a Christ-like manner. As a new convert give yourself a break; you’re not going to be an expert on everything the week after you become Catholic. You may well be asked a question which you can’t readily respond, at least in a concise and articulate way. This exascerbates the problem and makes you feel foolish (I write from experience here.) But the truth is if you ask most any protestant a complex doctrinal question they would be hard-pressed to give you a concise answer. Try asking the average Presbyterian to explain why they believe the 5 points of Calvinism and the doctrine of imputed righteousness! So answer what you can and don’t be afraid to say, “You know, it’s a matter of faith and it’s hard for me to put into words. If you really are interested in this why don’t I send you a couple of articles and you can read for yourself.” If they say yes, then you can continue the conversation when you’ve had a chance to refresh your own mind. That being said, we should do our best to be educated and knowledgeable about our Catholic faith. With time, there should be a fair number of the common concerns that you will be able to answer. Be charitable but by all means speak honestly with conviction.

Finally, consider their sincerity. Try to discern whether this is a honest inquiry or simply a baseless accusation from someone who just wants to pick an argument. If this person just wants to argue, then simply disengage. You’re not, no way, not ever, gonna convince them of anything. Don’t waste your time. Don’t get upset. Just disengage with something like, “You know, I don’t think we’re going to change each other’s minds. We’re just going to have to agree to disagree.” But if you think the person asking you questions has an honest interest, then by all means engage them and let the conversation continue. These discussions can be fun. They can help you clarify what you believe and can perhaps help someone else learn some truth about the Church.

A convert will face questions. Expect it. Many people will not understand your decision. Expect it. Some people will be rude or hostile. Expect it. Take a breath and pray. Resist the urge to go on the defensive. Respond with honesty and charity. Try to discern the sincerity of the question and consider whether or not the conversation has potential to go further. In the end, pray for the grace of a Spirit-informed response when difficult people cross your path.

Have mercy, because ain’t we all difficult at times?

Good Words from Pope Benedict

I came across a little book of spiritual thoughts by Pope Benedict. As I thumbed through it, I was again amazed at the beauty and depth of the Holy Father’s faith. It still amazes me how some people want to play him off and against his predecessor, Pope John Paul II. On a purely human level I cannot imagine what it would be like to follow in those footsteps and have to serve on the heels of as great a man as JPII. But when people play Pope Benedict against Pope John Paul they ignore the firmer words of Pope John Paul and the pastoral words of Pope Benedict. Pope Benedict is not the stern, strict, sourpuss the media wanted to make him. What has emerged in these few years of his papacy is a vibrant, joyous, thoughtful shepherd. He is an exceedingly bright theologian (I’m currently working through his book on Eschatology and it is slow going because of its depth and this author’s intellectual limitations!)

Here are a few gems from our Holy Father. Enjoy! cgf

“The saint is the person who is so fascinated by the beauty of God and by his perfect truth as to be progressively transformed by it.”

“Each one of us can be on intimate terms with him; each can call upon him. The Lord is always within hearing. We can inwardly draw away from him. We can live turnin gour backs on him. But he always waits for us and is always close to us.”

“We must be sure that however burdensome and tempestuous the trials that await us may be, we will never be left on our own, we will never fall out of the Lord’s hands, those hands that created us now sustain us on our journey through life.”

“Seeing with the eyes of Christ, I can give to others much more than their outward necessities; I can give them the look of love that they crave.”

“Have the courage to dare with God! Try it! Do not be afraid of him! Have the courage to risk with faith! Have the courage to risk with goodness! Have the courage to risk with a pure heart! Commit yourselves to God, then you will see that it is precisely by doing so that you life will become broad and light, not boring but filled with infinite surprise, for God’s infinite goodness is never depleted.”

The Chapman Tragedy and the Question of Suffering

by Chris Findley

The above video features the song, “With Hope” that Steven wrote for his album “Speechless” (1999).

THE QUESTIONS
On May 21 we were deeply saddened to hear of the accidental death of five-year-old Maria Chapman, daughter of well-known Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. My wife and I live just outside of Nashville and it seems that the entire city has been in mourning for this little girl and her family. Newspapers and blogs are overflowing with questions: How this could happen to such a “spiritual” family? How can God be considered “good” or “loving” when He allows this type of thing to happen? Moments like these cause many of the questions we normally keep suppressed to show themselves. Our society normally removes itself from any meaningful discussion of suffering. But this tragic event should cause us to reflect for a moment on the Catholic response to suffering. What are some of the ways Catholics approach the mystery of suffering and how do we find meaning and hope in its midst?

The question of how a “good” God can allow such horrible things has haunted mankind for thousands of years. Although the most famous (and often misunderstood) is Job, the Bible is full of people who experience great tragedy in the midst of this life, even while serving God. Think not only of Job, but of Joseph who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Think of the innocents slaughtered at the hands of Herod as he sought to kill the Christ child. Think of Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, stoned not for a crime but for his faith. Of course we need to look upon the cross and see the bruised and bloodied man upon it and reflect on the harsh truth that being a Christian does not shield one from suffering and pain.

And yet we wonder. We ache for an answer. Why does this happen? Something within us knows that it shouldn’t.

SALVIFICI DOLORIS: A RESPONSE
Salvifici Doloris (The Christian Meaning of Suffering) by Pope John Paul II is one of the most helpful things written on suffering and the Christian. And as we grieve with the Chapman family, Salvifici Doloris can offer hope and strength as we face our own questions.

One of the beautiful things of SD is how it affirms the very question of “Why?” We are not chastised for wondering, for struggling, for longing for meaning in the midst of suffering:

“Whereas the existence of the world opens as it were the eyes of the human soul to the existence of God, to his wisdom, power and greatness, evil and suffering seem to obscure this image, sometimes in a radical way, especially in the daily drama of so many cases of undeserved suffering and of so many faults without proper punishment. So this circumstance shows–perhaps more than any other–the importance of the question of the meaning of suffering; it also shows how much care must be taken both in dealing with the question itself and with all possible answers to it.” (SD, 2, 9)

Job is the first order example of dealing with the question of suffering, particularly because of his innocence. The reader of Job is confronted early on with the paradox that this man is suffering and does not deserve it. One of the first and oldest explanation for pain is punishment. There is a part of us that understands the argument of justice. But that argument is not always applicable, right or helpful. Pain and suffering are not limited to the unrepentant and disobedient. Pope John Paul notes, “While it is true that suffering has a meaning as punishment, when it is connected with a fault, it is not true that all suffering is a consequence of a fault and has the nature of a punishment.” (SD, 2, 11)

The hard truth is that Job really doesn’t answer the question. At the end of Job his suffering is not explained. His innocence is vindicated. The friends who wanted to condemn him are chastised. But God does not explain “why”. For Pope John Paul II, the why would come later. It would be revealed at the cross.

BEGIN WITH THE CROSS
So the reflection on our suffering does not begin with us, but with Christ. We are called to look upon the life death, and yes, the suffering of Jesus if we are to deal with our own pain. Suffering, we must see, is not just a natural consequence of the cross, but the point of the cross. We are challenged to see that what actually achieves our salvation is his suffering.

“Precisely by means of this suffering he must bring it about “that man should not perish, but have eternal life”. Precisely by means of his Cross he must strike at the roots of evil, planted in the history of man and in human souls. Precisely by means of his Cross he must accomplish the work of salvation.” (SD, 4, 16)

When we seek to understand our suffering we look at the Cross of Christ and consider that the cross, “proves the truth of love through the truth of suffering.” (SD, 4, 18 ) Pope John Paul continues,

“Human suffering has reached its culmination in the Passion of Christ. And at the same time it has entered into a completely new dimension and a new order: it has been linked to love, to that love of which Christ spoke to Nicodemus, to that love which creates good, drawing it out by means of suffering, just as the supreme good of the Redemption of the world was drawn from the Cross of Christ, and from that Cross constantly takes its beginning.” (SD, 4, 18 )

How does this help us with the question at hand, namely our own suffering?

HUMAN SUFFERING REDEEMED
It helps us by showing us not only that God shares in the suffering of humanity, but that by his own suffering he has redeemed our suffering. We understand that through the cross and suffering of Christ he participates in our suffering. But also, Pope John Paul II reminds us that through our suffering we participate in the suffering of Christ. This is not a new idea but one we see reflected in the words of Scripture:

“We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.” (2 Cor 4:7-11)

“For as Christ’s sufferings overflow to us, so through Christ does our encouragement also overflow.” (2 Cor. 1:5)

“I urge you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship.” (Rom 12:1)

Our suffering then is not meaningless, but overflowing with meaning as it is connected with the very suffering of Jesus. By the cross, we are able to become participants in the suffering of Christ and the experience of suffering is not only given dignity but power:

“All human sufferings are capable of being infused with the same power of God manifested in Christ’s Cross. In such a concept, to suffer means to become particularly susceptible, particularly open to the working of the salvific powers of God, offered to humanity in Christ.” (SD, 5, 23)

POWER INSTEAD OF HOPELESSNESS
God truly acts through our suffering, speaks through it, strengthens us through it, and displays his power through it. This is what he did through the cross. When we begin to view suffering in this way our trials and tragedies are rescued from the curse of meaninglessness; of not only being painful but hopeless. This always underlies our frustration and hurt. Yet here we see that God is at work through suffering, redeeming it, displaying His power in it. Has he not told us that his power is shown in our weakness? “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Cor 12:9)

And in our suffering, and in our witness of the suffering of others, we certainly experience our own weakness. We know in a very finite way, our need of God. In these moments we look and strain for the hand of God. The counsel of the saints through the ages is that when we search for God in the midst of suffering we will find him. For he is not outside suffering, but within it. Constantly within the Gospels we see Jesus dealing with the suffering of others with words of compassion and miracles. So much of his earthly ministry was to alleviate suffering and redeem it for the Kingdom of God. Jesus promises his followers that suffering will come their way. If we understand suffering and its intricate connection to the cross our experience of suffering, while no less painful, is redeemed. Jesus answers our pain from the experience of his own pain which is the ultimate display of his love. Love reaches out to us in the midst of pain.

“The Gospel of suffering is being written unceasingly, and it speaks unceasingly with the words of this strange paradox: the springs of divine power gush forth precisely in the midst of human weakness.” (SD, VI, 27)

THE LOVE OF GOD
In the case of the Chapman’s we are left with no truly satisfactory answer to the question of “Why?” In Christlike compassion we should avoid clichés and superficial answers. Instead I believe our call is to “weep with those who weep” and like our Lord, enter into their suffering with our prayers. Savifici Doloris reminds us, we should understand that the cross is the backdrop for all our suffering, including the Chapman’s. And it is through the cross and because of the cross that we can rest with certainty in the Love of God.

Chris Findley is a former Episcopal clergyman and convert to the Catholic Church. In addition to freelance writing, he teaches theology at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He has written for numerous publications and his articles have appeared in the U.S. and England. Chris’ blog, home2rome.wordpress.com, encourages exploration of the Catholic Church. He and his wife Sheryl and their 2 sons Aidan and Evan live outside Nashville.