Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16:23

Have you ever wondered why the good seem to suffer while the evil prosper? That is a question which has haunted humanity since the days of Job. The answer is almost as puzzling as the question. The Prophet Jeremiah tell us how he tried to free himself from God but found the pain of separation worse than the insults heaped upon him when he was faithful to God (Jeremiah 20:7-9). In Matthew 16, Jesus prepares His disciples for His own mission of sacrificial love. St. Paul (Rom 12:1-2) warns us that living like the evil ones around us is not the answer to suffering. Suffering will always be with us. That is life. Jesus had to suffer but He did so out of love to redeem us from our sins.

People try to protect themselves from suffering in all kinds of ways – getting away from it all, buying a new toy, changing the job, popping pills – you name it. Some people even feel that others are the cause of their suffering and they think all they need to do is to refuse to love anyone. In that way, they will never have to take a risk, never be disappointed, never have their trust betrayed. It is a safe way to live. The only problem is that, while the refusal to get involved may protect one from suffering, it never causes much joy either. This is what Jeremiah experienced. He tried to avoid the sacrifice involved in achieving union with God and found that there was a deep need within him for union, leading him out of himself into faithful love of God. We all have to face this dilemma. The important thing is to make the best of our lives by following the example given to us by our Savior.

Love conquers all, even suffering. This is the Christian message. When a person loves, suffering loses it’s sting. To be sure, the person who loves God and all God’s children will experience suffering. But, it is suffering with a purpose; the kind of suffering that overcomes selfishness, and leads to new life.

Jesus asks us to put an end to selfishness by denying ourselves and following Him. That is why He says”
“Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

Fr. Hugh Duffy