St. Joseph recognized that his good Creator would never abandon him even while he suffered intensely and for a long duration. If we reflect a little on the remarkable receptivity of St. Joseph to suffer gladly for the sake of the Kingdom of God, we learn several critical lessons about the authentic Christian attitude towards human suffering, only a few of which are listed below.
1.) Human suffering is not, “See how much I can handle,” but rather, “I can do all things in God Who strengthens me.” The disciple of Christ accepts suffering as a share in what Jesus willingly endured for us in His agonizing passion and His excruciating death on Calvary. Embracing human suffering is not an empty exercise in self-promotion, but instead is a necessary striving for a more profound conformity to the Crucified Master.
2.) Human suffering is allowed by God not to make us “bitter” but “better.” The merciful Lord concedes additional opportunities for growth in holiness when He permits various crosses to be laid on our shoulders. Rather than become full of spite and self-pity, we are to be filled with joy, serenity and confidence in Christ, triumphantly raising our crosses high in the Holy Name of Jesus and proceeding full throttle down the arduous path to sanctity.
3.) Human suffering freely surrendered to is destined for the glorification of God and our salvation. The Almighty is praised when we, with genuine humility and firm trust in Him, yield to suffering. And when we seek His strength to carry our crosses, we are in turn propelled along the challenging but passable road that leads to Heaven.
St. Joseph’s powerful example of patience in the midst of suffering bids us to recall the value of “voluntary penance” (i.e., that mortification which we deliberately select) in order that we may better surrender to “involuntary penance” (i.e., that mortification which comes without our choosing it). Our voluntary penance of fasting and abstinence from meat, for example, provides a secure footing for the acceptance of those crosses, which God has already weighed carefully, that will inevitably approach us.
Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (+1968), cherished the world over as “Padre Pio,” was in his heroic personal acceptance of human suffering a kind of twentieth-century imitation of the carpenter who hailed from Bethlehem. The astounding simplicity and surrender to the Lord that marked the venerable life of St. Joseph is easily discerned in the days and years of the Capuchin Franciscan Friar who bore the wounds of the Crucified One on his own flesh.
Presently from Heaven, St. Joseph prays for us, asking Jesus to grant us not only a deeper appreciation of human suffering but also the grace to make that required commitment to accept whatever crosses God is pleased to allow us. Our reward, if we cooperate with the Holy Spirit as did the foster-father of Jesus and the chaste husband of the Ever-Virgin Mary, will be similar to what St. Joseph now enjoys: everlasting life with the Most Blessed Trinity and our Blessed Mother in paradise.
Saint Joseph, patron of those who suffer, pray for us!
© Copyright 2004 Catholic Exchange
Monsignor Charles M. Mangan was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Sioux Falls in 1989. He is presently assigned to the Vatican Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
