From today’s Scripture: “Beloved: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.”—1 Pt 2:20-21

Suffering, unpleasant as it is, is never far from us within our human experience. Some endure suffering more than others, but like many other things in our life — joy, hunger, peace, tiredness, hope — suffering crosses the boundaries of race, gender, history, poverty, and wealth. Oddly enough, because of Christ’s incarnation, suffering is not unknown to God. In fact, some have said that suffering is the deepest form of contemplation because in it we are united with Christ within his own passion.

This has raised complex questions about God. Was he changed by this suffering? Could he have done something to avoid it? The easy answer is no and maybe, and I mean that in order. No, Christ was not changed and perhaps things could have been different. But why was God not changed in this suffering? The answer is simple and we find it in the Scriptures. It’s because God, at his very being, is love. And his suffering did not overcome who he is, but the other way around. Thus, when we experience suffering we are able to find that the suffering itself does not unite us to God. Instead, we find even there the experience of the person of Love, who always promises resurrection.

Let us pray: Lord, let us be united with you in love. Whatever our circumstances, may we remember that you are always close.

Today’s author is Nathan Smith, the director of ecumenism for Glenmary and consultant for the US Catholic bishops.

Free delivery!  Sign up to receive this in English or in Spanish daily by email.