In his book, Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life, Philip Simmons writes, “… life is not a problem to be solved.” [p.7]
He quotes T.S. Eliot,
“We shall cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know it for the first time.” [p.36]
A little further in his book, he writes, “To thank God for broken bones and broken hearts, for everything that opens us to the mystery of our humanness.” [p.37]
Why is there suffering? What does suffering tell us about God? What recommendation does the book of Tobit offer to those who suffer?
We struggle with the problem of suffering, and until we meet the Lord in the “land of the living” we will not have the full and clear answer, but in the meantime let’s reflect on The Book of Tobit.
The Book of Tobit was composed about 200 years before the birth of Jesus. Take some time to read it, you will find a story of an extended family that experiences great suffering.
It deals with three questions: Why suffering? What does suffering tell us about God? What recommendations does it offer to those who are suffering?
The Lord Hears our Cry!
Pope Francis spoke of the suffering of Sarah and Tobit in a homily on May 6, 2013, in the Chapel of Santa Marta: “Tobit and Sarah; they do not curse, but they complain. Lamenting to God is not a sin. A priest that I know once said to a woman who complained to God about her misfortunes: ‘Madam, that is a kind of prayer, go ahead. The Lord feels and hears our lamentations.’
Why is there suffering?
Suffering it is not do Tobit and Sarah’s personal sin, they are good and faithful Jews. Perhaps the natural and man-made circumstances mentioned in the Book of Tobit are the cause, like much of the suffering in our own day
God does not interfere with the free will of human beings. Suffering is sometimes caused by evil. Sometimes people are corrupted by evil do evil things, and people suffer.
What does suffering tells us about God?
God responds to prayer, but often in a subtle way. God gently suggests, gives counsel and shows the way. God does force. God has the final word and God is the final answer.
God is concerned about each one of us and God loves us. We are called like Tobit and Sarah to pray honestly, and to pray even when we are afraid. Remember our prayers do not change or move God to action, but it open us to the gentle breeze of God in our lives. Prayer in our suffering keeps our relationship with God alive and reminds us that God walks with us.
Philip Simmons wrote near the end of his book, that Jesus teaches us “Can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? When we accept our impermanence, letting go of our attachments to things as they are, we open ourselves to grace.” [p.151]
Opening ourselves to God’s grace allows us to deal with the suffering and joy that enter our lives. There is no answer to the why of suffering on this side of the grave, however one day we will understand, until then follow the path of Jesus and offer your pain and suffering up, ask God to bless it and make good come from it.
May God Be Praised!
A Prayer for Our Nation
Loving God give us the grace to serve those who are shunned or eschewed; guide our civic leaders; bless our nation; and bestow Your wisdom upon our elected officials and anoint them with the desire to foster the common good. Amen. [Dcn. George Kelly]
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Hear my cry! “Lord, listen to my prayer: turn your ear to my appeal.” You are my refuge and my hope, I turn to you during this COVID 19 Pandemic and plead for Your intercession. In Your mercy and Your compassion “… grant eternal rest to the dead, comfort to mourners, healing to the sick ….” [Psalm 143 and Collect from Mass Time in Pandemic]
Provide strength to the first responders, compassion to the medical personnel, and wisdom to government leaders. End this coronavirus scourge. Send Your light to me as I wander in the darkness of this pandemic and give me hope in Your eternal love today and every day. Amen. [Dcn. George Kelly]
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