Christifidelis Laici 53 & 54

During the Last weeks we have discussed in this space how the very young, youth, adults, the elderly, men & women all have their unique and critical role to play in living the faith and thereby evangelizing, that is, spreading the faith.  This week we continue with sections 53 & 54 in which our Holy Father, Pope St. John Paul II, addresses those who are sick and suffering.  I can’t imagine that when he wrote these paragraphs in 1988, he was even beginning to be aware of how profoundly he would give witness to these same words in his own life as we watched him age and battle Parkinson’s Disease until his own passing on April 2, 2005.

In these paragraphs, our Holy Father speaks of how the sick and the suffering play a special and unique role in the work of the Church.  He points out that the sick and suffering are “not simply…an object of the Church’s love and service, but [are] an active and responsible participant in the work of evangelization and salvation.”  How is this done?  Fundamentally, by living this life of suffering with dignity, hope, and joy in the Resurrection which follows the Way of the Cross. 

Thus, we are invited to continue plumbing the mystery of suffering as a means to giving witness to the Gospel; something we need to prepare for through prayers and contemplation while we are yet well, so as to give greater witness when, inevitably, we find ourselves on the Cross with our Lord.  So…

      1.     Do I yet recognize the value inherent in suffering and thereby giving witness to the joy of the Gospel?

      2.     What am I doing, if healthy, to serve those who are sick or suffering and thereby give witness to the dignity of their life of suffering?

      3.     Am I conscious of the policy positions of those I am considering for election to public office in regard to support for the severely handicapped and the elderly: especially their position concerning euthanasia and the abortion of those who may be mentally or physically handicapped?

Challenge:  Who do I know who is suffering in some way?  Make a point of visiting or being of service to that person.  Let that person see your love for them in your corporal or spiritual work of mercy.