Redemptive suffering and us

[Seeker]

I can understand how suffering is a result of sin and may also be a chastisement from God as a form of discipline to amend our lives.  I can also understand suffering for God, such as suffering persecution for the Truth.

But does anyone have a handle on how suffering has value when united with Christ's sufferings?  What exactly does it mean to "offer it up"?  The idea of redemptive suffering is still a mystery for me.  Why was Christ required to suffer and die for us?  Why do the innocent suffer?  

I believe that by loving God and doing His will we will be happy.  But, I don't think that being happy means that we will not suffer in this life.  Some of the saints were said to be most happy when they suffered for Christ.

I'm trying to understand all this.  Can anyone help shed some light?

Thanks.

[Melody]

Dear Seeker,

Just two days ago, at a class, I heard about redemptive suffering.

It indeed is a difficult concept for many to accept, especially Christians who buy into the Compete Prosperity & Complete Health only Gospels.

A verse which touched me especially & which pertains to this topic is Col 1:24 viz

I find joy in the sufferings I endure for you. In my own flesh I fill up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His Body, the Church

I urge you to read this article by Father Paul A. Duffner, O.P. on this topic, which covers these areas:

THE NEED OF REDEMPTION
WHY THE PASSION?
OUR SHARING IN THE REDEMPTION
FILLING UP WHAT IS LACKING
EMBRACE THE CROSS
TESTIMONY OF THE POPE
MARY’S ROLE
NOT MY WILL . . .

As you can see, it's a pretty comprehensive article & titled "Theology for the Laity", it's not even difficult to follow.

Praise God for the internet    where we get such stuff easily at our fingertips!

Blessings,

Melody

[Seeker]

Thanks for that article Melody.  I'll definitely read it.

[Melody]

Just a PS: on the above!

I once was told by a Protestant that Jesus died for us & in Him all suffering was completed & hence the idea of "Redemptive Suffering" is rubbish & the only way we'll be redeemed is if we believe in He who has already suffered for us.

Hope the link to the article clears out any false notions (like the one I just mentioned).

Blessings,

Melody

[Seeker]

Hope the link to the article clears out any false notions (like the one I just mentioned).

I think it does  

[Rev. Eric]

Seeker, you have raised a very important topic in this post and I wish I had more time to give a detailed answer.  I have printed the article posted by Melody but at the moment I have only scanned through it.  I look forward to reading it in full.  At this time I would like to just make a few comments on the remark once given to Melody:

I once was told by a Protestant that Jesus died for us & in Him all suffering was completed & hence the idea of "Redemptive Suffering" is rubbish & the only way we'll be redeemed is if we believe in He who has already suffered for us.

I can see why this person made this statement, based on the truth that Jesus took on all the sufferings caused by sin.  But I believe that this person did not properly contemplate the timeless nature of the power of the cross.  Here is what I mean by  this:

1)  Ultimately, all suffering on earth has its origins in sin.

2)  Jesus took on all the sins of humanity and therefore all the suffering.

3)  The passion and death of Christ is a divine event, and therefore an eternal event.  Hence, it  transcends time.  Because of this, Jesus suffered in the past for all the sins commited today (and so it is with every generation).

4)  In light of all this, Jesus took on the sin and suffering of our generation and redeemed it by his sacrifice.  The suffering we witness and endure today was nailed by Jesus to His cross, and therefore this suffering is, indeed, redemptive.

5)  If we say that there is some type of suffering that is not redemptive then we are also saying that the sin which caused that suffering was not taken up by Christ on the cross.  But we all know that Jesus took on the sins of all humanity, so He took on all suffering as well, and He redeemed it all.

6)  Conclusion:  All suffering is redemptive.  But we must keep in mind that redemption is a gift that we are free to accept or reject.  Likewise, we are free to embrace suffering in a spiritual fashion (to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus) or waste it by wallowing in misery and asking, "Why me?"

I hope this was helpful.

God bless,
-Rev. Eric

[Seeker]

Yes, very helpful Fr Eric.  Thanks.  

I guess I've sometimes fallen into the trap of forgetting the timelessness of Jesus' suffering on the cross and what it means in terms of us today.

Your explanation helps me understand what it means to be the suffering Body of Christ and what St Paul meant when he said

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ, in my flesh, for his body, which is the church:

I think Christians sometimes gloss over that passage.  It would be helpful to meditate upon that once in a while.