Baptize Your Sufferings and Recycle Your Trials
Baptize Your Sufferings and Recycle Your Trials
Fr. Sebastian Vazhakala M.C., 2010
Suffering is as old as the first human being. In fact in the opening pages of the Bible we see that man invited suffering into his life through his disobedience to God’s command (cf. Gen.3: 14-19). Whereas before their fall Adam and Eve, our first parents, enjoyed a very different kind of life, which for us is now possible only in the life to come.
On Christmas eve the younger sister of one of our LMCs was driving home to take the documents she had forgotten to carry with her. But Jesus wanted Maria Vittoria to celebrate Christmas with him in heaven instead of celebrating it with her family members on earth. For her it was great and wonderful, comforting and rewarding. What was it like for those whom she left behind, especially on the eve of Christmas? A real trial for the family to endure. If the rest of the family were not sealed with the gift and mystery of faith, there would have been an even greater catastrophe in that family.
An experience like this kind has two aspects: the human and the divine. In some cases and with some people, the human side prevails over the divine; at times it even totally ignores the divine aspect. Here one does not suffer any less. No, the suffering becomes more intense and acute. This was not the case of Maria Vittoria’s family. They suffered much and are still suffering from it. But because they are graced with profound faith, they were able to overcome their pain and transform it into channels of grace.
In the words of our beloved Mother Teresa of Kolkata: “Trials and temptations are but the kiss of Jesus – a sign that you have come so close to him that he can kiss you. Don’t be afraid – the little Society has to imitate only its Master – to be able to redeem the world he accepted Bethlehem, Nazareth, Calvary. You remember how frightened the Apostles were-and Jesus told them: ‘O You (men) of little faith. Why are you afraid?” (Mother Teresa’s letter to Fr. Sebastian M.C., 17.01.79).
In another letter to Fr. Sebastian M.C. Mother writes: “My mother had not seen me for 46 years - months before she died, she kept calling and longing to see me - her youngest child. Albania being what it is-no Indian is allowed to go. I could go so near – and yet not to her – so she died with my name in her mouth. This is why I know what you feel – Our Lady will be your strength – I am asking her to take care of your family…” (Mother Teresa to Fr. Sebastian M.C., 14.08.79).
She baptized her pain and channeled her sorrow for the repose of the soul of her beloved mother and also for her own personal sanctification and growth in holiness.
Mother Teresa continues to speak about trials, its meaning and how to use them. She writes: “…I know what you feel – this really (is) the full meaning of the poverty of Jesus. He being rich became poor. The richness of the company of his Father he gave up by becoming man like us in all things except sin. You too are experiencing that ‘giving up’ for love of him. Do not be afraid. - All will be well – the seed has to die – if it has to produce fruit…This aloness is the beginning of great love. You are not alone – Jesus and you. Tabernacle is the most beautiful sign for you to look at when you feel lonely. Don’t be afraid – he is there – in spite of the darkness and failure. It was like that for Jesus in the garden – ‘Could you not watch one hour?’ he felt so lonely that night. Don’t be afraid – put your hand in our Lady’s hand and walk with her…” (Mother Teresa’s letter to Fr. Sebastian M.C., 12.10.79).
Christians, baptize your daily sufferings, humiliations, mistreatments and even calumnies. Christians, recycle your trials and direct your hardships to the waters of grace for you and for many. Let many souls drink from the waters of your pain and sorrow. You bottle your pain and distribute freely to those who are in need. Suffering is a vocation.
Jesus told Mother Teresa: “Your vocation is to love and to suffer and to save souls”, “You will suffer much, you suffer now”, “In your immolation, in your love for me, they will see Me, know Me, want Me. Offer more sacrifices…” (MFG pg. 11).
Jesus invites all to take up their cross and follow him (Mt 16: 24 ff.). This can means “to accept whatever Jesus gives us and to give whatever Jesus takes from us with a big smile” (Mother Teresa).
We are all martyrs of some kind and some time. It can be our weaknesses, sins, failures and shortcomings. It can be the terrible darkness in our spiritual life or aridity in our life of prayer. It can be the deep feeling of our own unworthiness to accept the things we cannot change in us and not having the courage to change the things we can.
Even our beloved Mother Teresa constantly felt unworthy, weak and sinful. It was almost like an antiphon that she kept repeating. St. Therese of Lisieux wrote at the end of her autobiography that, if God could have found a feebler soul than hers - although it might have been impossible according to her - God would have bestowed on her the same graces if it had abandoned itself with supreme confidence to his infinite mercy.
Recently two of our closest friends, Dr. Salvatore and Dr. Paolo, went to visit Auschwitz in Poland. On their return they urged me to go and see that terrible monument of modern Calvary, which speaks to every human being, without exception, of the meaning of human life on earth. We are created not to wound and kill, but to heal and to save. Will there be any justification, human or divine for such inhuman cruelties and brutal atrocities? I wonder!
The Second World War was a global disaster. There are not any adequate explanations of the how and why of it except that the evil one tried to triumph over good; he wanted to capture the power of love to turn it into the power of hatred and destruction. But even if the whole world stands together with Lucifer and his minions and fight against God, God cannot be conquered or defeated.
God cannot be captured and crushed. He dwells within the castle of love without limits and boundaries. There is nothing in him and all around him but love. His entire kingdom is one of love. His subjects in heaven, his army of angels and saints fight with the strongest and invincible weapons of love. All his soldiers are messengers of love and peace. Shalom, shanti, peace!
God is sure to conquer the world with love at the end. Mankind will bounce back and surrender to the power of love. All else is transitory and will vanish like grass in the field. Even from such disastrous monstrosity saints and martyrs like St. Maximillian Maria Kolbe, St. Edith Stein and many other known and unknown saints and martyrs of love, peace and justice were born.
Yes, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham (cf. Lk 3: 8). Love never comes to an end. It is eternal. It is the source and origin of all good. Even when a man dies love never dies. The charity he practiced outlives him and is going to be judged on love. Everything else is subordinated to love and everything else surrenders to the power of love. But love never surrenders to anything or to anyone except to God who is nothing but love.
It was clearly shown on 13 September 1997 when all the world came to the ‘filthy’ city of Kolkata to pay homage to a little lifeless body, which lay in state with no words, no gestures or power. It was the lifeless body of a woman who had become the embodiment of invincible love. She became a symbol of love. Lotus grows in muddy water. If Kolkata was a cesspool of human misery, Mother Teresa was the lotus of love and beauty in the cesspool of misery as well as mystery.
With Teresa of Kolkata God turned the city of poverty and misery into a city of rich love and joy. Thus the symbol of hatred, selfishness and darkness became the symbol of love, service and light. The scientists cannot prove this in their laboratories nor can the philosophers with their critique of pure reason explain adequately such mysteries of selfless love in action.
Our God never gets tired of loving us. He never gives us up or excludes us from the circle of his love. Beyond doubt he will purify and make us go through severe trials, which is almost an intrinsic necessity.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina was forbidden to celebrate Holy Mass in public for two years and to hear confessions for about four years, especially of women.
His superiors were touching the core of his priestly ministry. Among the seven sacraments, daily celebration of the Eucharist and the administration of the sacrament of reconciliation are the two main sacraments a priest is ordained generally to exercise. To forbid him from administering them was the most difficult sacrifice he was asked to make, and not so many will willingly accept such orders without reacting and trying to defend and get back their birthrights as priests.
St. Pio of Pietrelcina accepted the orders of his superiors promptly and without questions. Truth may be attacked, delayed, suppressed, mocked at, but time will tell where truth is and, if we believe, in the end truth will prevail.
The meek and humble of heart do not labor so much to defend against offenses nor claim one’s rights. They know that God will defend them, because God is the defender of truth and justice, on which the virtue of humility is based. In the words of Mother Teresa, our beloved foundress: “Don’t worry about so and so’s letter. Gifts like this I have been receiving many. Just smile and say thank you…” (Mother Teresa to Fr. Sebastian M.C., June 1978).
The Holy Father pope John Paul II gave his Lenten message for the year 2003. Its theme is based on a quotation from the Acts of the Apostles (Ch. 20, 35), where St. Paul presents a famous teaching of Jesus which has not come down to us in the gospels: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving”.
It begins its message by saying, “Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and concern for those in need. It offers an opportunity to prepare for Easter by serious discernment about their lives with particular attention to the Word of God, which enlightens the daily journey of all who believe”.
We need to build a culture of solidarity on the common brotherhood of men based on the common fatherhood of God. In other words we are all children of the one and the same heavenly Father, irrespective of color, creed or nationality.
Created in his own image and likeness (cf. Gen 1: 26) we all have the same common desires, aspirations and needs. Our basic physical, psychological and moral needs are the same, no matter whether one is black or white, brown or red, or one is tall or short, rich or poor. The cows are of different colors but milk is always white. Our differences are more accidental and many times we try to build our culture on accidentals overlooking and ignoring the essentials that are meant to bind us all more closely.
Charity is the reason why anything should be done or left undone, changed or left unchanged. It is the natural principle and the end to which all things should be directed. Whatever is done out of love and for love will never be forgotten nor go unrewarded. Let this Lent be one of more giving than receiving, one of more forgiving and forgetting than hurting and offending.
We all can try to be a little more humble and a little less proud; a little more kind and little less arrogant; a little more hospitable, warm and caring and a little less hostile, indifferent and cold. In us there is always more room for Charity, hard work and toil. We all can be holier than we really are.
Even if we do not have money and material things to share, let us at least share our joy, our smile, and our eagerness to befriend.
In this season of Lent let us be a little less critical, judgmental, angry, lazy or gluttonous and a little more understanding, appreciating, tolerant, patient, gentle, hard working, temperate and sharing. Let us control our minds from vain thoughts and useless and utopian plans, our tongues from speaking guile, lies and bad words and blasphemies, let us keep our hearts pure, humble and holy. Let there be peace, joy and harmony and let it begin with me.
In conclusion we can say, together with St. Peter Chrysologus, that “there are three things by which faith stands firm, devotion remains constant, and virtue endures. They are prayer, penance and works of mercy. Prayer knocks at the door, penance obtains and works of mercy receive… These three are one and they give light to each other.
Penance is the soul of prayer, works of mercy are the life-blood of penance. Let no one try to separate them… If you pray, fast; if you fast, show mercy; if you want your petition to be heard, hear the petition of others. If you do not close your ear to others, you open God’s ear to yourself.
When you fast, see the fasting of others. If you want God to know that you are hungry, know that another is hungry. If you hope for mercy, show mercy. If you look for kindness, show kindness. If you want to receive, give. If you ask for yourself what you deny to others, your asking is a mockery…
Let prayer, penance and works of mercy be one single plea to God on our behalf, one speech in our defense, a threefold united prayer in our favor” (Sermon 43. Office of Readings, Tuesday, Lent, week 3).
I wish you a very holy and joyous Lent which prepares us all to the great and happy feast of Easter.
Love and prayers.
God bless you.