Saints And Suffering

[Faithful heart]

I love to read about the Saints, my only question is why do they suffer so much. Do they need to suffer to become saints? If they give their life to God, do what is God's will, then why would God make them suffer so much? My family and I love God and try to do what is right, but we don't suffer. Are family is blessed with comfortable living, good health, and love. If we don't suffer like the saints does that mean we are doing somthing wrong? Sorry so many questions. I thank you in advance for your answer. God Bless

[Theologian in Training]

[quote name='Faithful heart' date='Apr 15 2004, 05:58 PM'] I love to read about the Saints, my only question is why do they suffer so much. Do they need to suffer to become saints? If they give their life to God, do what is God's will, then why would God make them suffer so much? My family and I love God and try to do what is right, but we don't suffer. Are family is blessed with comfortable living, good health, and love. If we don't suffer like the saints does that mean we are doing somthing wrong? Sorry so many questions. I thank you in advance for your answer. God Bless [/quote]
A great saint, whose name escapes me at the moment, said, that the closer we get to the sun, the more we feel the heat. In other words, the closer we draw to God, the more we feel the "heat." Although we would like to believe that suffering is not a requisite to holiness, we need only look upon the saints to see that suffering is a part of the divine plan. One merely needs to look at the crucifix to see this is the case.

There is great sin in the world, and sometimes certain men and women will desire to help alleviate that sin, sometimes by taking the burdens upon themselves. I am reminded of how Padre Pio and St. John Vianney would suffer tremendously for the redemption of a soul. These people see that suffering not as empty, but as redemptive, as a means to salvation for themselves and for the other. These men and women are merely imitating Christ, the one who took sin upon Himself to redeem the world. Granted, these saints are not God, but they partake in the suffering and, in essence, do as Paul states, "make up for what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ." Of course, since they are mere human beings their expiation does not have the power to redeem in the way Christ did, but the gift of the spirit allows them to take on the sufferings and sins of others that they might commend them to Christ. In other words, there is a mystical union between them, and their sufferings are not theirs alone, but for a greater good, that of another soul.

Granted, not all saints are victim souls to such a great extent, but by virtue of the common priesthood bestowed upon all through their baptism they can offer spiritual sacrifices for another. In other words, when the saints suffer they don't suffer in vain, just as Christ never suffered in vain,just as we never suffer in vain.

We too are called to be saints, and though we may not suffer to the extent that the saints have, when we do endure any type of suffering it is from the saints that we learn how to deal with that suffering. The saints were just as human as you and I and therefore they are great models of what it means to be a human being passionately in love with Christ.

If you don't suffer that does not mean that you are doing anything wrong, it merely means that either God is still preparing you or is calling you to help those that do suffer. Perhaps you can visit a hospital, or a homeless shelter, or a myriad of other places.

I hope that helps

God Bless Alelluia!!!