Can we still be thankful when we suffer?
That’s the question I’ve been pondering as Thanksgiving
approaches this year. In particular, I have in mind those good folks in
our state and nation whose celebration of the holiday might be strained
this year because they’re dealing with personal problems, economic woes
and natural disasters.
I’m thinking of those individuals and
families who lost so much as a result of Hurricane Sandy – individuals
who lost personal possessions, businesses, homes, and, sadly, even loved
ones, because of the ravages of a rogue and deadly weather system.
I’m thinking of the families in our community who are struggling with
the profound consequences of long term unemployment, a debilitating
situation that affects not only financial security, but relationships
and personal well-being too.
I’m thinking of the men and women
who show up every night at Emmanuel House, the emergency shelter for the
homeless run by the Diocese of Providence, and other homeless across
our state who lack even the most basic of material resources the rest of
us take for granted everyday.
I’m thinking of the thousands of
people who turn to the food pantries and soup kitchens run so generously
by our parishes in every corner of Rhode Island, individuals caught in
the tangled web of the long-lasting recession that has crippled our
nation.
I’m thinking of the many people in our hospitals,
hospices and nursing homes, folks dealing with serious, sometimes
terminal illness, as well as the care givers and families who worry
about the well-being of their loved ones.
How do all of these
folks, and many others who have been dealt a bad hand, observe
Thanksgiving this year? It’s completely understandable that their
approach to the holiday might be muted, bittersweet, even a little bit
cynical.
In a moment of discouragement, might they be tempted to
echo the words of Job, from the book of the Bible that documents so
powerfully the human experience of suffering: “I will give myself up to
complaint; I will speak from the bitterness of my soul. I will say to
God – do not put me in the wrong! Let me know why you oppose me?” (10:
1-2)
As their brothers and sisters in the human family, we need
always to be mindful of those who suffer – in our local community, in
our nation and around the world. We should seek to understand their
plight, be attentive to their needs and offer them all the
encouragement, personal support, material resources and prayers we can
muster.
It seems to me, though, that it is only from the perspective of faith that we can be thankful in the face of suffering.
Suffering is never good, but it is relative. There’s always something
to be grateful for, even in the worst of moments. Recall the parable of
the man who complained that he had no shoes until he saw a man who had
no feet. And closer to home, if I’m tempted to complain that my office
is chilly because the furnace isn’t working, all I need to do is to look
out my window to see the homeless guy sleeping on the cold concrete
bench of Cathedral Square. I’ll be going home in a few minutes. He is
home.
In the darkest of moments we need to trust, still, in the
presence and Providence of God. Although He might seem to be absent, God
never abandons us. Jesus told us, “Look at the birds in the sky; they
do not sow or reap, they gather nothing into barns, yet your heavenly
Father feeds them. Are you not more important than they?” (Mt 6: 26)
I know people who blame God whenever something goes wrong, but never
give Him credit when things are going right. It’s a flawed sense of
faith. They need to remember that both joy and sorrow are inevitable
experiences of human life; that God is with us in good times and in bad.
Again we can learn the lesson of Job, who in the midst of his profound
suffering said: “Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked I
shall go back again. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed
be the name of the Lord!” (1: 21)
Suffering is never good, but it
is redemptive. From the Christian perspective, moments of suffering and
loss allow us to share in the Cross of Christ, and we believe that from
the Cross came redemption and restoration, a brand new beginning.
Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who witnessed suffering and pain few
of us will ever know, said, “Suffering will never be completely absent
from our lives. If we accept it with faith, we are given the opportunity
to share in the passion of Jesus and show Him our love.”
As we
celebrate Thanksgiving this year, let’s take special note of our
blessings and give thanks and praise to God. Thanksgiving is one of the
best days of the year for Catholics to attend Holy Mass and receive the
Eucharist – as you know the word itself means “thanksgiving.” And to
put your faith into action, do something to share your gifts and
blessings with someone else.
For those who are experiencing
discouragement, suffering and sorrow at this time of the year, please
know that your brothers and sisters are with you. And even more
importantly, God is with you, now, more than ever. Blessed be the Name
of the Lord!
