What to do with Suffering

Christ’s passion has shown up in the Church’s Office of Readings lately.

Why the Passion in Eastertide?

Because the Passion reminds us what our current hope and joy cost Jesus — it wasn’t free.

Below is inspiration from St. Peter Chrysologus (c. 380 – c. 450) to see in the deep wounds of Christ his deep love for us:

“Listen to the Lord’s appeal: In me, I want you to see your own body, your members, your heart, your bones, your blood.

“Perhaps you are filled with shame for causing my bitter passion. Do not be afraid. This cross inflicts a mortal injury, not on me, but on death. These nails no longer pain me, but only deepen your love for me.

“I do not cry out because of these wounds, but through them I draw you into my heart. My body was stretched on the cross as a symbol, not of how much I suffered, but of my all-embracing love.

“I count it no less to shed my blood: it is the price I have paid for your ransom. Come, then, return to me and learn to know me as your father, who repays good for evil, love for injury, and boundless charity for piercing wounds.

St. Chrysologos goes on to show us how we can unite our daily annoyances and losses with Christ’s passion — giving our sacrifices infinite meaning.

“Listen now to what St. Paul urges us to do. I appeal to you, he says, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice. By this exhortation of his, Paul has raised all men to priestly status.

“Each of us is called to be both a sacrifice to God and his priest. Do not forfeit what divine authority confers on you. Put on the garment of holiness, gird yourself with the belt of chastity. Let Christ be your helmet, let the cross on your forehead be your unfailing protection. Your breastplate should be the knowledge of God that he himself has given you. Keep burning continually the sweet smelling incense of prayer.

“Take up the sword of the Spirit. Let your heart be an altar. Then, with full confidence in God, present your body for sacrifice. God desires not death, but faith; God thirsts not for blood, but for self-surrender; God is appeased not by slaughter, but by the offering of your free will.”

From a sermon by Saint Peter Chrysologus, bishop
(Sermo 108: PL 52, 499-500)