Joy: Consequence of Accepting Suffering
My Jesus … [give] me the grace to feel joy in contempt, calumnies, oppressions and sorrows … My Jesus, may perfect participation in your suffering life … be my greatest enjoyment. (OOCC, X, p. 220; STA, 519)
Suffering is an essential aspect of Christian life because Jesus Christ, the founder of Christian Faith, took the path of the cross to redeem humankind. Hence, it is important that a Christian learns to accept suffering in his life. At the end of his agony, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus accepted the cup which his heavenly Father had allotted for him. Jesus felt a sense of peacefulness after he accepted the suffering. There was a sense of joy with which he moved to fulfill his Father’s plan for him, even though it was bitter, painful and not easy to accomplish. St. Vincent Pallotti was conscious of this truth in his life. For him, joy was the immediate consequence of a person accepting suffering in his life. He desired and longed for suffering in his life. He often prayed for the grace to feel joy in contempt, in being oppressed, in calumnies and in sorrows. He considered that it was a privilege to suffer because by accepting our suffering we participate in the suffering of Jesus. Thus, for St. Vincent, suffering for the sake of Christ was the greatest enjoyment.
Do I accept suffering as an important aspect in my life as a Christian? Do I consider suffering as a privilege when accepted in imitation of Jesus’ suffering? Do I recognize that suffering is the pathway to true joy?
Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing. Although they go forth weeping, carrying the seed to be sown, they shall come back rejoicing, carrying their sheaves. (Ps. 126: 5 – 6)