Some years ago, I found myself recuperating from a series of lung surgeries and reflecting on the Joni Mitchell lyric, “You don’t know what you’ve got ‘til it’s gone.”
I didn’t realize how much I would miss breathing, or how physically and psychologically difficult it would be to go without a full breath. It dominated my thoughts, it ruined my day, it made me cranky.
It had been months since I had been able to take a full, deep, satisfying breath and it would be months before I was able to again. I would survive, I would eventually regain my ability to be active and breathe fully, but, for that period, I was suffering.
Suffering is both universal and uniquely personal. Varying in intensity, duration, and persistence, suffering enters our lives through physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual fronts, among others. Indeed, as many of us have witnessed (or experienced), suffering has long been a particular wedge that separates the faithful from the faith, God from his children.
It is this reality that made our Office for Evangelization eager to shine a light of hope into the darkness of suffering. So, as we begin this Jubilee Year of Hope, we take a deep breath, seek the wisdom of the Church, fix our eyes upon the Lord, and discover the hope of Christ to share in a suffering world.
Suffering began with the fall of humanity. Our separation from God brought pain, hardship, selfishness, and toil to the world. This was not God’s plan, nor his desire for us. In fact, the story of his response to this separation is the story of the Bible. It is the story of salvation history, a father pursuing and reuniting with his children to alleviate their suffering. Through Christ’s sacrifice and suffering, a way was opened for all people to be reconciled to God in heaven, where all suffering ceases.
In Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical on hope, “Spe Salvi,” the faithful are mandated: “Do whatever we can to reduce suffering: to avoid as far as possible the suffering of the innocent; to soothe pain; to give assistance in overcoming mental suffering.”
These acts of mercy and kindness remind us of the 25th chapter of Matthew (feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, etc.). In this way, we shine the light of God’s mercy into their suffering and remind them of heaven’s eternal peace.
These acts, which bring hope amid suffering, also open the door for us to cast out loneliness. Pope Benedict XVI says, “Because it has now become a shared suffering, … in which another person is present, this suffering is penetrated by the light of love. The Latin word “con-solatio” (“consolation”) expresses this beautifully. It suggests being with the other in his solitude, so that it ceases to be solitude.”
Similarly, we have the opportunity to enter into another person’s pain and passion (com-passion) in such a way that it becomes a shared suffering and a journey of hope.
Even when we lack the consolation of others who journey with us in our suffering, there is hope for those who suffer in solitude. Hope in the closeness of Christ, who has endured all torment before us. Hope in the Holy Spirit, our advocate who accompanies and empowers us. Hope in God the Father, who welcomes us to eternal peace.
Examples of this shine through in the stories of countless saints and holy men and women who have led lives of profound hope amid suffering: St. Damien of Molokai, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, St. Bartholomew, St. Teresa of Calcutta, Servant of God Frank Parater.
Throughout my ordeal I was cared for by a medical team who worked to reduce suffering, as well as family and community who made every effort to accompany and pray for me. It gave me an opportunity to explore what it means to unite my suffering to Christ on the cross.
When I had nowhere to go with my pain, God entered into my suffering through grace and prayer. I am thankful the ordeal is over, and thankful for the experience of hope in the midst of suffering.
If you are suffering, know that hope has not abandoned you. If you know others who are suffering – go, accompany them and bring them consolation, compassion, and hope!
Daniel Harms has worked for the Diocese of Richmond since 2012 and served as Associate Director for Marriage, Family, and Life Ministries since 2023. As a speaker and musician, Dan has presented to Catholic audiences in 46 states and seven countries. He and his family are parishioners at St. Edward the Confessor, Richmond.