REDEMPTIVE SUFFERING

Divine Appeal Reflection  - 89

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 89: "Be in My pain for the sake of souls. Give Me this token of kindness. It is an offering for souls."

The perfect example of redemptive suffering is Our Adorable Jesus. He presented the Eternal Father with His passion and death on the cross as the ideal sacrifice for the salvation of humanity. With great love and obedience, Jesus took on His sufferings, turning what appeared to be a complete failure into a way of the salvation of souls. He prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will," in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). Despite the pain He endured, this obedience to the Father's will serves as an example of how suffering can be accepted in order to achieve a higher goal. His silent, selfless crucifixion was the greatest sacrifice made for the sake of countless souls.

There are many opportunities in daily life to connect our suffering with Jesus'. Workplace conflicts with coworkers, unjust criticism, and heavy workloads are all possible for an employee. In addition to managing domestic duties and enduring financial strain at home, parents may feel worn out from raising children. When presented to God for the sake of soul salvation, any of these difficulties can transform into a means of grace. Think about a worker who has a demanding boss. They can choose to face this hardship with patience rather than reacting with bitterness, offering up their frustration and stress as a prayer for those who are in need of spiritual support. Similarly, a mother overwhelmed by the chaos of balancing work and family duties might offer her daily fatigue and moments of frustration to Jesus, uniting her trials with His for the benefit of others.

Sr. Anna Ali experienced intense physical and spiritual sufferings, which she bore with remarkable submission and silence. Despite the profound pain, she offered her sufferings to Our Adorable Jesus, believing deeply in their redemptive value. Sr. Anna's life was marked by her willingness to participate in the sufferings of Christ for the salvation of others. Her acceptance of pain and hardship without complaint, and her deliberate offering of these trials, echo the call of the Divine Appeal. Through her silent suffering, she participated in the redemptive mission of Jesus, offering her life as a prayer for the world.

Jesus' Divine Appeal calls us to embrace our sufferings and offer them for the sake of souls. Whether at work or at home, we experience a variety of pains and hardships on a regular basis. We partake in the redemptive mystery of salvation by combining these with Christ's sufferings and surrendering them to the Eternal Father. Following the example of Jesus and Sr. Anna Ali, we can transform our pains into powerful offerings, contributing to the spiritual well-being of souls in need. May we, with hearts full of faith and love, accept this divine invitation to join our sufferings with Christ's for the redemption of the world.