Redemptive Suffering

http://www.thedefender.org/RedemptiveSuffering.html ^ | unknown | Fr. Yves Conger

[stfassisi]

A Summary: Redemptive suffering is the belief that human suffering, when accepted and offered up in union with the Passion of Jesus, can remit the just punishment for one's sins or for the sins of another. Like an indulgence, redemptive suffering does not gain the individual forgiveness for their sin; forgiveness results from God’s grace, freely given through Christ, which cannot be earned. After one's sins are forgiven, the individual's suffering can reduce the penalty due for sin.

We believe God loves mankind so much that He made Himself human in Jesus in order to redeem mankind. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (Jn 3:16)

We believe our suffering can be united to that of Christ and so in union with His Passion. "As they were going out, they met a Cyrenian named Simon; this man they pressed into service to carry his cross." (Matthew 27:32)

Why Suffering: (1) Everyone asks the question (in some form or another), Why suffering? Each religion has a different answer. In Hinduism, suffering is seen as the result of karmic debt owed from a prior incarnation. Buddhists believe they suffer in life because of their desires that can be relieved by good meditation and prayers. In Judaism, suffering is seen as everything from senseless to positively willed by God as a result of Jewish disobedience. In Islam, suffering is seen as the result of Allah's positive will. For some brands of Protestantism, suffering is always the result of personal sin.

Every human being undergoes pain, and we all want it to have meaning (and so not despair). Amidst this, always remember: there are two kinds of suffering-redemptive suffering and wasted suffering…Which one will you choose?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church encourages and reminds us of our vocation: "By His passion and death on the Cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to Him and unite us with His redemptive passion" (#1505).

The Value and Meaning of Redemptive Suffering: (1) Redemptive suffering is any trial or tribulation (physical or mental) we offer up and UNITE to Jesus- as a "gift" to Him to express our love thru a costly way, in exchange for some other good. Notice the key elements: we consciously choose embrace suffering; it is precious (a "gift") because it is painful (not fun or "easy"); it brings us closer to Jesus in an intimate and intense way; and the suffering may "spiritually repair" my own soul or others-and thereby help in the work of redemption (Christ's allowing me to help Him save souls).

Other names/descriptions of this phenomenon include: vicarious atonement (Jesus, Who alone can atone the sins of the world, chooses others to "vicariously assist Him" and thereby weave more people into the plan of salvation; victim souls (a person whose primary call as a disciple in life is to especially suffer for the saving of other souls); and co-redemption.

Ask yourself these questions: How can I intensely merge my sufferings with Christ (i.e., more deeply)? How can I more readily blend my trials with Him (i.e. not hesitating in offering suffering to Him)? How can I consistently entwine my difficulties with Him (less sporadically)?

The Bible and Suffering: There are many versus in the Bible referring to redemptive suffering. The following verses are a few of those most quoted: "Whoever follows me must take up his cross..." (Mt 10: 38).

"So they departed from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus." (Acts 5:41) "

"Therefore we are not discouraged, rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (II Cor 4: 16). "

"With Christ I am nailed to the cross. It is now no longer I that live but Christ Who lives in me" (Gal 2:19-20).

"Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, for I fill up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ." (Col:24).

“This indeed is a grace, if for consciousness of God anyone endures sorrows, suffering. unjustly." (I Pt 2: 19).

“For the Spirit Himself gives testimony to our spirit that we are the sons of God. And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified with Him. The sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come that shall be revealed in us.” (Rm 8:16-18)

“What we suffer at this present time cannot be compared at all with the glory that is going to be revealed in us...We know that all things work for good for those who love God...For I am convinced that neither life nor death...nor future things, nor powers nor any other creature can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus" (Rm 8:18, 28,38).

Offering it Up: (2) Offering it Up (or "Making a Good Intention") is done in both formal and informal ways.

Formally, many Catholics make the Morning Offering to give to Our Lord that day's efforts, works, joys, sufferings, and intentions. At the Mass, we consciously, silently, and privately offer ourselves up, along with the Son, to the Father during the Offertory.

Informally, we "offer it up" by simply asking God in our own words to use a suffering as it occurs; we often do this for specific intentions (ex., "Use this pain, Lord, for the salvation of my brother..."). We might follow the example of the young St. Thérèse of Lisieux and make use of Sacrifice Beads, or the extraordinary among us might make the Heroic Act of Charity for the souls in Purgatory.

It's quite a discipline to react to suffering this way! In mental or physical pain? Drop something on your toe? Putting up with a co-worker who is making your life a living Hell? Enduring the constant ache of arthritis? Standing in line at the grocery and hating every minute of it? Spill the milk? Accept these things in peace, and ask God to use them for the good of the Church or for a more specific intention close to your heart.

You'll find that it is not uncommon to hear one Catholic tell another who is suffering to "offer it up" as a way of dealing with his suffering. It should be remembered, though, that while it is most definitely good to tell someone to "offer it up," it is also easy -- and that we are called, too, to comfort those who are suffering, to feed the hungry, to give drink to the thirsty, to care for the sick, etc. Telling someone to offer it up without also helping him to deal with the temporal and emotional effects of whatever he is going through is not the fully Christian response. Even Our Lord was helped while carrying His Cross: St. Veronica wiped the sweat and Blood from His Holy Face, and St. Simon of Cyrene helped Him bear the Cross itself.

And always help the suffering to retain (or regain) hope that his suffering is not in vain. Assure him that he will partake of "the consolation":

The Ultimate in "Offering it up": Victim Souls (2) A victim soul is someone who has been chosen by God to participate in Christ's Passion in a very special way by manifesting the signs of His sufferings, often in their very own bodies. Suffering for the sake of love is their vocation, and such suffering is willingly accepted for the benefit of the Church. The attitude and plea of the victim soul is summed up by this prayer of St. Catherine of Siena, “The only cause of my death is my zeal for the Church of God, which devours and consumes me. Accept, O Lord, the sacrifice of my life for the Mystical Body of Thy holy Church. “

St. Lydwine of Schiedam, the Venerable Anne Catherine Emmerich, and St. Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio) were three other such souls, and there have been many more. Often, but not necessarily, these souls receive the stigmata on the palms of their hands or on their feet, the wounds left by the crown of thorns, wounds in their sides as if made by a lance, stripes on their bodies as if caused by scourging, and other bodily phenomena that recall His Passion.

In conclusion: "It is in suffering that we are withdrawn from the bright superficial film of existence, from the sway of time and mere things and find ourselves in the presence of profounder truth." + Fr. Yves Conger, French priest-theologian.

[betty boop]

If this cleansing can indeed be applied (imputed) without suffering by the individual with equivalent cleansing effect, why isn't Christ's suffering alone sufficient and why isn't it applied to all in full measure?

I don't know, armydoc. But the state of my knowledge of these matters is not the measure of them. Still it seems to me (whether canonical or not) that one cannot "through works", indulgences, or whatever, mitigate the consequences of our sins. If others suffer because of our own sinful actions, how can we escape the due measure of compensatory suffering that our sinful acts deserve?

Is the state of your knowledge regarding such matters better than mine? If so, I'm dying to hear the details.

If Christ's suffering were alone sufficient to save everyone universally, that would seem to me (crudely) analogous to the situation of banning "preexisting conditions" from underwriting consideration in health insurance. If everyone waited to purchase medical insurance until becoming desperately ill, the health insurance business would utterly collapse. The idea of "insurance" would become impossible. [I really am sorry for this clumsy metaphor; but I think it might get my point across.]

In short, Christ's suffering is on behalf of those called to love him — i.e., those who "buy into Him" before the critical need. Not those who, on their death bed, finally acknowledge Him, on a sort of Pascal's Wager.... Though if the end-life testimony/appeal of such is genuinely sincere, I imagine Christ, Who is Truth and Justice, would not turn them away....

Thus Christ is not indiscriminate in His salvation. For one thing, He cannot save those who refuse Him. God's Creation is — among other things — an expression of divine economy....

Or so it seems to me.

I don't know whether these lines make any sense to you, armydoc. But it's the best I can do for now.

Thank you so much for writing!

[Quix]

INDEED.

[Quix]

Thanks for your kind reply.

[Quix]

I pray that your SIL and family are still recovering well and growing in the trust and stature of The Lord. May your prayers together in time and/or space enlighten all your lives in His Love.

[Quix]

Thanks for your kind, understanding and substantive reply.

Praise God for His faithfulness to teach us His Ways.

[reaganaut]

I’m reminded of Alice of Sharbeek who, while suffering from (medieval)leprosy, daily offered up her suffering on behalf of others.

[betty boop]

Christ paid the price for our sins..He purchased us with His blood

Indeed. But only those who know and love Christ truly understand that.

The hapless clueless who willfully persist in denying/rejecting Him have no advantage from Christ's sacrifice, no share in His redemption.

Or so it seems to me. God forgive me if I'm wrong, and show me my error in thinking this way.

[JouleZ]

Ping for later reading.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

the word redemption has a meaning ...To BUY BACK ... Christ paid the price for our sins..He purchased us with His blood ..

AMEN!

The only "redemptive suffering" that merits salvation is Christ's suffering on the cross. And that suffering was payment in full for all the sins of His flock.

Roman Catholics show no understanding of the book of Hebrews (and not much of the rest of the Bible either.)

[Salvation]

Redemptive Suffering
Through church, Jesus ministers to all who are sick in the world
'Amazing Grace for Those Who Suffer'
Pope Benedict asks sick to offer up suffering for priests (Catholic Caucus)
Why Must I Suffer?

On the Advantages of Tribulations by Saint Alphonsus Liguori
Why Be Catholic? 3: Suffering [Ecumenical]
"Love Really Can Make Suffering Bearable": Woman with Spina Bifida
Experts at Euthanasia Symposium Stress Unity, Strategy, and the Triumph of Love over Suffering
Holy Father prays for peace and unity, encourages the suffering to trust in God

Joy-Filled Suffering, Laetare Sunday
Children 'Suffering >From Lack Of Two-Parent Family', Study Finds
Pope Says Euthanasia 'False Solution' to Suffering, Alludes to Comatose Woman's Fate
Excerpts from THE FRUITS OF HIS LOVE - The Value Of Suffering - Mother M. Angelica
Why Not You? (on suffering)

Vicar takes down crucifixion sculpture 'because it's a scary depiction of suffering'
The Value of Suffering in the Life of Christian Perfection
IN BRUSH WITH DEATH, PRIEST SHOWN HELL, PURGATORY, DEGREES OF SUFFERING
Prayers to Saint Agatha [For Those Suffering from Breast Cancer]
REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING(Catholic Caucus or by Invitation Only)

[Salvation]

**I would also ask - how does one know that the acceptance of suffering is truly doing God’s will and not simply some kind of masochism?**

Offering it up is much better than complaining about it or constantly talking about all your pains.

BTw, pray for a friend of mine with fibromyalgia whom I fear is becoming addicted to the pain medications.

[armydoc]

Still it seems to me (whether canonical or not) that one cannot "through works", indulgences, or whatever, mitigate the consequences of our sins. If others suffer because of our own sinful actions, how can we escape the due measure of compensatory suffering that our sinful acts deserve?

The core of the Gospel is that the Christian does not get what he deserves; praise the Lord!

Is the state of your knowledge regarding such matters better than mine? If so, I'm dying to hear the details.

Grew up Catholic for 20 years, fully catechised. Started reading scripture; now a reformed evangelical.

If Christ's suffering were alone sufficient to save everyone universally, that would seem to me (crudely) analogous to the situation of banning "preexisting conditions" from underwriting consideration in health insurance. If everyone waited to purchase medical insurance until becoming desperately ill, the health insurance business would utterly collapse. The idea of "insurance" would become impossible. [I really am sorry for this clumsy metaphor; but I think it might get my point across.]

I certainly am not arguing for universal salvation. In fact, I am a 5 point Calvanist; I believe in limited atonement (Christ died for the elect only)

In short, Christ's suffering is on behalf of those called to love him — i.e., those who "buy into Him" before the critical need. Not those who, on their death bed, finally acknowledge Him, on a sort of Pascal's Wager.... Though if the end-life testimony/appeal of such is genuinely sincere, I imagine Christ, Who is Truth and Justice, would not turn them away....

I agree with the "those called to love Him"; i.e. the elect. Here on earth, the manifestation of that calling will differ. Some of the elect will profess faith in Him at an early age. Some will not until the very end; witness the Good Thief. The bottom line is that the elect were chosen before the formation of the world. They are His. They will display faith and will produce works in keeping with their salvation.

Thus Christ is not indiscriminate in His salvation. For one thing, He cannot save those who refuse Him. God's Creation is — among other things — an expression of divine economy....

I completely agree. He is absolutely discriminate- He saves those He chooses to save (interestingly this is frequently quoted by Catholics as well; not that they would buy into election).

[Salvation]

And St. Terese of Lisseux who offered up all the suffering from her tuberculosis — in slience.

[reaganaut]

Yes, her as well.

[stfassisi]

One has to wonder by Christ bothered if men could do it for themselves and others..

It's Christ who allows His most humble and loving to JOIN in suffering

Only the spiritually blind and prideful can not understand this type of sacrificial love

Please stop posting me!

[stfassisi]

And St. Terese of Lisseux who offered up all the suffering from her tuberculosis

My favorite quote from her....

"I understood that the Church has a heart, that this heart was burning with love, and that it is love alone which gives life to its members; that if this love ever became extinct, the Apostles would no longer preach the Gospel, and the Martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. I understood that love comprised all vocations, that love was everything, that it embraced all times and places...in a word, that it was eternal! Then, in the excess of my delirious joy, I cried out; O Jesus my love...my vocation, at last I have found it...my vocation is love!" - Saint Therese of Lisieux

[kosta50]

My "best guess": Sin, though forgiven, still leaves its indelible trace in the world

Then it's pointless to speak of "regeneration." Besides, the Bible–which is your guide–says that God "will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." [Heb 8:12]

The punishment that penitent sinners receive is not eternal damnation in Hell; rather, according to Catholic doctrine, the "punishment" consists of a mandatory post-death period of salutary purgation

My understanding is that Catholic dogma considers purgation a necessity only for those who have died with some unrepentant sin, but have nevertheless been saved, since no repentance is possible after death.

From the Catholic Catechism:

"1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven."

In other words, the way I read it is that if you recieve the last rites, that is, before your death you confess your sins and re absolved of them, then you do not die "imperfectly purified" and your soul is not subjected to purgation.

[stfassisi]

In other words, the way I read it is that if you recieve the last rites, that is, before your death you confess your sins and re absolved of them, then you do not die "imperfectly purified" and your soul is not subjected to purgation.

I would agree,but I think it depends on the confession being of a truly contrite heart

How are you,dear brother?I have been praying very hard for your return to your Orthodox faith

[kosta50]

He is absolutely discriminate...

LOL!

"the mighty, and the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe" - Deu 10:17

"our God will have no part in unrighteousness or partiality or the taking of a bribe" - 2 Chron 19:17

"for You are not partial to any" - Mat 22:16

"for You are not partial to any, but teach the way of God in truth" - Mark 12:14

"Peter said: 'I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality'" - Acts 10:34

"For there is no partiality with God" - Rom 2:11

"God shows no partiality" - Gal 2:6

[kosta50]

I would agree,but I think it depends on the confession being of a truly contrite heart

Is there any other kind? Confession must include repentance, and repentance means permanent change of mind (metanoia). It isn't just saying "Gee, I'm sorry."

I am fine, SFA. Much obliged.