[Greek] πάσχω (paschō), [Latin] patere, [Latin] miserere, [Latin] passio, [Latin] sufferre, [French] endurer, [Latin] avoir pitie (have pity): to suffer, to undergo an experience (passion), to experience suffering, to endure, to feel in some measure, to suffer pain (hardship); 46 scriptural references
In response many of us may even often say, “But I don’t want to be a saint!”
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.
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. Although there could be some overlap with Maccabees, this term generally does not directly apply to the willing martyrdom theology developed in 2 Maccabees.
New Testament: Essentially, this term refers to Christ’s sufferings and to the sufferings of Christians for His sake. For purposes of brevity, scriptural references 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; often he falls into fire, and often into water.” (At this time in history, epilepsy was not fully known or understood. It was thought that the moon caused epilepsy. The Latin noun lunatic was one who was “moon struck”.)
Mt.27:19: “While Pilate was still seated on the bench, his wife sent him a message, ‘Have nothing to do with this righteous man. I have suffered much in a dream today because of Him.'” (Jesus’ innocence is declared by a Gentile woman. This dream evokes guilt and alarm in Pilate’s wife. The gospel writer Matthew often utilizes dreams as a means of divine communication.)
Mk.5:26: “The hemorraghic woman had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse.” (This woman approached Jesus and touched His cloak, believing that she would be healed. Jesus, aware that power had gone out from Him, stated that her faith had saved her.)
Lk.13:2: “Jesus said them in reply, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were greater sinners than all others Galileans?'” (Some Gentiles were deliberately killed by Pilates’ hand. Some Gentiles were killed because a tower had fallen down. Jesus seeks to dispel the notion that victims of tragedies are NOT necessarily singled out for punishment. Jesus reminds them of the need for all to repent.)
Acts 9:16: “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry out My name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.'” (Saul of Tarsus will be repenting of the sufferings he inflicted on the Christians. Paul will be opposed by the Jews. Paul will be bitten by a snake. Paul will suffer martyrdom (decapitation) at the hands of the Roman Empire.)
Php.1:29: “For to you has been granted, for the sake of Christ, not only to believe in Him but also to suffer for Him.”
Steadfastness in faith:
- One must conduct oneself in a way worthy of the gospel. (Conducting oneself with a clear conscience before God.)
- One must have theological unity in the midst of suffering. (The community’s minds are striving together in one faith, leading the soul (desires and emotions) to correspondingly follow.)
- One must not be intimidated by one’s opponents. (The Christian must be likened to a disciplined athlete or well-armed soldier.)
- This steadfastness will lead to your salvation. (Perseverance and strength will be richly awarded in heaven.)
1Pet.2:19: “For whenever anyone bears unjust suffering because of God, that is a grace before God.”
- If you are patient when you are suffering for doing what is good. That is a grace.
- For you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you. Christ leaves you an example that you should follow in His footsteps.
- This notion becomes very counter-intuitive in our current culture which avoids and fears suffering.
[Greek] συμπάσχω (sympaschō), [Latin] compatior:
Rom.8:17: “If children of God, then heirs of God and joint heir with Christ, if only we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” (We suffer and are glorified with Him. Christians, with the Spirit’s presence, share new life in relationship with God. Christians share in BOTH SUFFERINGS AND GLORY in Christ.)
Rom.8:18: ” [Paul]: I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared to the glory to be revealed to us.” (The glory that believers are destined to share FAR EXCEEDS the sufferings of the present life. This earthly life is just a blink of time (or drop in the bucket) in comparison to eternity.)
Perspectives on Suffering:
“Don’t waste your suffering.” St. John Paul II
“The greater you suffer, the greater God’s love for you.” St. Padre Pio
“If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you love.” St. Gemma Galgani
“Let us understand that God is a physician, and that suffering is medicine for salvation, not a punishment for damnation.” St. Augustine.
“Trials are nothing else but the forge that purifies the soul of all its imperfections.” St. Maria Magdalen de Pazzi
“You will be consoled according to the greatness of your sorrow and affliction. The greater the suffering, the greater will be the reward.” St. Maria Magdalen de Pazzi
“The greatest good suffering can do for me is increase my capacity for God.” Joni Eareckson Tada
Conclusion:
Paschal, passion, patient, endure, perpetuate (to endure to the full), perpetual
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.
The Old Testament culture perceives that the meaning of suffering is for salvation’s sake and readiness for God. It was also interesting to note that this term was expressly not related to martyrdom. 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).
Update: We all should offer our prayers for the victims of hurricane Helene and hurricane Milton and those impacted by war and violence. Sometimes we often lose sight of that there are always others who may be in far more difficult situations that we are in.
Unfortunately, many Traditional and conservative Catholics are becoming very alarmed by how this Synodal path is undermining Jesus’ Church. Jesus’ Church is being transformed into a synodal church in the image of man (and his lived experiences). It is actually becoming a nightmare!
We all should learn from the hemorraghic woman in having faith and trust that Jesus will heal and help us.
It is an unfortunate reality that we live in a dangerous world filled with disease, suffering, war, violence, and racism. Many people die from natural causes, accidents, and from intentional causes. Jesus reminds each of us that we must get our salvation (spiritual affairs) in order before we face judgment. Life is often very fleeting and short. We need to make the most of our lives on earth!
Yet, it seems that bringing souls into heaven (TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS SINFUL) is overshadowed by tolerance, mercy above all else, inclusion, and situational morality (NOT TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS SINFUL). Many people’s eternal souls could be in peril. This is what inevitably happens when you have a synodal Church (made in the image of man and his lived experiences).
We are also reminded in that we may experience opposition, persecution, and even martyrdom. Bishop Strickland has essentially become a white martyr in standing up for the faith in this post Christian secular world. One may be called rigid, intolerant, and hateful by the world and Modernists.
Many are often unaware that come are called to suffer whether they realize it or not. This is often part of God’s will for some people. This suffering can be efficacious and redemptive when we can offer up our salvation for the salvation of souls. This suffering can be a grace according to God.
Another aspect of redemptive suffering: this may allow one to become all the more closer to Jesus.
“God will either shield you from suffering or give you unfailing strength to bear it.” St. Francis de Sales
Next post: symphonic thoughts