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JMJ
"Life is marked by suffering. The poor suffer, the great suffer. Everything that is painful to the flesh, displeasing to the senses is a cross. Embrace all these little opportunities of suffering and you will be bearing the cross of Christ; relieve the afflicted and he will accept it as given to himself.
I did most earnestly pray in my Mass and at Holy Communion to implore grace to imitate our Lord and to return him love for love. I tried to offer him what Saint Margaret Mary desired—not to be left without suffering. I absolutely have not reached her desire. Naturally, I hate suffering. I did try, however. . ."
St. Katherine Drexel
An unfortunate but common misperception exists in regards to the saints; that is, that they eagerly sought out affliction. Certainly, there were those particular souls who asked to share in the Passion of Christ, or voluntarily chose to perform heavy penances for the sins of mankind. However, for the vast majority, the cross was a sobering and difficult trial. To mythologize the saints in such a way as to believe that they were inured to suffering, greatly belittles their heroic efforts but also conveniently relieves man of the challenge to do likewise.
It is a great temptation- in times of travail- to resent the cross that so obstinately remains despite the plethora of remedies both physical and spiritual that are applied. Self-pity is a far more attractive option than perseverance and resignation. God desires His children to seek His help for healing and relief; it is natural for one to exhaust all reasonable possibilities when a painful situation arises. Yet, after it becomes apparent that a burden will not be alleviated, one must implore for the grace to endure it as best he can.
In a letter to her sister-in-law, St. Zelie Martin aptly illustrated this paradox:
"I had said to God, 'You know well that I don't have time to be sick.' . . Then God said to me, 'Since you don't have time to be sick, perhaps you have time to suffer a lot of pain?' And I haven't been spared, I assure you!'
You see, in this world, that's what it's like. We have to carry our cross one way or another. We say to God, 'I don't want that one.' Often our prayer is answered, but often to our misfortune. It's better to patiently accept what happens to us. There's always joy alongside the pain."
To assent to God's will with a meek and humble heart takes more strength of will than to spurn it with a defiant and haughty spirit. The saints struggled, but endured through their heroic patience and constant prayer. Their prayer echoed Our Savior's during His Agony:
“My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Mt 26: 39)
