[Greek] πάσχω (paschō), [Latin] patere, [Latin] perpetiere, [French] souffrir, [French] endurer: to suffer, to undergo an experience (passion), to experience suffering, to endure, to feel in some measure, to suffer pain (hardship); 46 scriptural references
Sophocles’ Antigone: a tragedy which provided a commentary on women’s rights and equality
Background Information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to suffer, to experience something, to suffer misfortune, to suffer from an illness, to suffer evil, and to undergo. Often times in the Greek Hellenistic culture, experiencing suffering takes on a predominately objective reality, rather than an emotional reality. This insight is often illustrated in the Greek tragedy (dramatic stage). Suffering may involve misfortune, blows of fate, illness, evil, and disfavor of men or gods. This learning through tragedy (suffering) often leads one to understanding, insight, and self-discovery. In Sophocles’ play Antigone, the character Antigone defies the king’s authority and then becomes imprisoned. The repercussions from the king’s actions ultimately leads to her death. Stoicism states that life is unavoidable without suffering, which can allow one to build character and fortitude.
Seneca: “Misfortune is virtue’s opportunity.”
Homer’s Odyssey 5.223: “For this I have suffered much and toiled amid the war.”
Sophocles’ Antigone: “For death is gain to him, whose life like mine, is full of misery.”
Sophocles: “You must remember that no one lives a life free from pain and suffering.”
Sophocles: “One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life. That word is love.”
Old Testament: This term means to suffer under, to be oppressed by, to become weak (sick), to be punished, and to be grieved (sorry). Suffering occurs with Israel’s enemies and the people of Israel. The sufferings of Israel are due in part to divine punishment for their sinful deeds and actions. The interpretation (insight) from suffering leads not to philosophical self-discovery, but rather to salvation (readiness for God). This term does not directly apply to the martyrdom theology developed in 2 Maccabees. However, some may associate this term with martyrdom.
New Testament: Essentially, this term refers to the sufferings of Christ Himself and to the sufferings of Christians for His sake. References to Christ’s sufferings can be seen in an absolute sense or descriptive sense. The absolute sense mentions Christ’s suffering and entering into His glory, but without mention of the details of the passion. The descriptive sense, providing much greater detail, mentions Christ suffering, Christ being rejected, Christ being killed, and Christ rising. In 1 Peter, how Christians respond to suffering becomes a major theme. As it pertains to Christians, this refers to both general sufferings and the sufferings that Christian undertake on Christ’s behalf.
For purposes of brevity, scriptural reference of Jesus’ suffering will be excluded
Scripture:
Mt.17:15: Lord, have pity on my son, for he is a lunatic [epileptic] and suffers severely
Mt.27:19: Have nothing to do with this righteous man. I have suffered much in a dream today because of Him
Mk.5:26: She had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors
Acts 13:2: Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all others Galileans?
Acts 9:16: I will show him [Paul] what he will have to suffer for My name
1Cor.12:26: If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it
2Cor.1:5-6: Christ sufferings overflow to us as does our encouragement. If we are afflicted, it is for our encouragement and salvation
Php.1:29: You are called to not only believe but also to suffer for Him.
1Pet.2:19: For whenever anyone bears unjust suffering because of God, that is a grace before God
Conclusion:
Paschal, passion, patient, endure, perpetuate (to endure to the full), perpetual
It was interesting to discover the varied and nuanced meanings of this term. In the Hellenistic era, this term can even mean experiencing something positive. It would have been fascinating to have attended a Greek tragedy performed on the stage. These Greek tragedies often provided a social commentary on the moral issues (human condition) of the day. This in turn may have provided one with personal self-discovery or insight about these cultural issues. Even Sophocles comes to the idea of the importance of love.
On the other hand, the Old Testament culture perceives that the meaning of suffering is for salvation’s sake. Instead of personal self-discovery, this was for readiness for God. It was also interesting to note that that this term was expressly not related to martyrdom. This term pertains to the suffering of the Jewish people in general. I can appreciate that there could be a gray area between fidelity to God, vicarious suffering, persecution, and willing martyrdom. As you know, the books of Maccabees referred to the Zealots (Jews who sought to overthrow the Romans).
It was thought that epilepsy was triggered and caused by the phases of the moon. The Roman word for moon is luna. Dreams were considered a means for divine communication. In addition to touching Jesus’ clothes, the hemorraghic woman was healed because of her faith. The Christian needs to be aware that one must also be potentially able to suffer for Him. 1Pet.2:19 was addressed to Christian slaves. In a sense, Jesus (as with Paul) was also like a slave who served others. The gospel provided a sense of freedom for slaves.
Peter develops the important theme of how Christians respond to suffering. This suffering, often through no fault of one’s own, can actually become a grace. This idea becomes counter-intuitive in our current culture which avoids and fears suffering. Jesus relates His suffering and death to the significance of the Passover.
Update: We need to mindful of the women whose dignity and rights are under attack in Iran. Even young woman are being poisoned.
We need to pray for the persecution of Christians in China, Asia, South America, and other regions of the world.
We need to pray for the people in Ukraine who are under assault from Russia.
We need to pray for and support the people in Turkey and Syria who have been suffering from the recent earthquakes. Those who have died and those who are grieving will be receiving graces from God.
Some young children, who are not yet fully intellectually formed, are now being pressured with taking puberty blockers and gender reassignment surgery.
The millions of the unborn (aborted through no fault of their own) will receive a special grace from God.
The Vatican leadership is also engaging in a form of spiritual persecution by restricting and marginalizing Catholics from celebrating the TLM.
In light of the recently released new Jan. 6, several charged defendants may have been improperly imprisoned without having the right to having access to exculpatory evidence (video footage) because of “security concerns.” This could lead to potential retrials and lawsuits. Judges could also be culpable.
“God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.” St. Francis de Sales