Obviously we don’t enjoy the suffering of others, but it does bring out something extraordinary and even beautiful in us as caregivers. In 1984 Saint John Paul II made the stunning claim that suffering is present in the world to unleash love in those who care for the sufferer. His words are no less stunning today than they were then:
“We could say that suffering, which is present under so many different forms in our human world, is also present in order to unleash love in the human person, that unselfish gift of one's ‘I’ on behalf of other people, especially those who suffer. The world of human suffering unceasingly calls for, so to speak, another world: the world of human love; and in a certain sense man owes to suffering that unselfish love which stirs in his heart and actions. The person who is a ‘neighbor’ cannot indifferently pass by the suffering of another: this in the name of fundamental human solidarity, still more in the name of love of neighbor. He must ‘stop,’ ‘sympathize,’ just like the Samaritan of the Gospel parable.”
Prayer
Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Make my heart like yours:
Free me from indifference
and give me mercy
and compassion for others.
Give me eyes to see their needs
And empathy to share in their suffering.
Unleash your love in me.
To read Pope Francis’ 2015 Lenten message click here.
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