Suffering Is Not a Punishment

A Reflection on the Second Reading for Sunday, February 2nd, 2025:
The Presentation of the Lord

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Hebrews
2.10-11, 13b-18

​It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many sons and daughters to glory, should make the source of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For the one who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one.

For this reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters, saying, “Here am I, and the children whom God has given me.” Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death.

For it is clear that Jesus did not come to help Angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people.

Because Jesus himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Pause. Pray. Reflect.

I am going to be honest here, when I used to see passages in scripture that refer to suffering, I skimmed over them and carried on to the passages about love, mercy and eternal life. I struggled to understand how a loving God could permit suffering and, even more, use it for my salvation! That was until I began to experience migraine headaches. 

When I was in my thirties, I experienced my first migraine, and I had no idea what was happening. I consulted my doctor and began a lo-o-o-o-ong journey of trial and error with regard to treatments to prevent migraines as well as options to get rid of them when they came on. Not only did none of them work, but the migraines increased in frequency. 

On more than one occasion I was prayed over for healing, and I spent much time personally praying for healing of what has now been classified as chronic pain. I remember one of the first times I sat down and earnestly prayed for healing; the Lord very clearly told me, “My grace is sufficient for you.” Honestly, I was pretty disappointed! I have seen miraculous healings. I have heard others share their experiences of healing, and I wondered for many years why I was not worthy or loved enough to be healed. 

After a few periods in my life when I would again return to praying for healing and receiving from God the same response — which I would promptly forget about because I didn’t want to hear it (although it always came back) — I began to focus on what the Lord might be trying to tell me. I began to pray for the grace to trust that the Lord would give me an understanding of what this suffering was meant for or about. 

Gradually, I began to see that this world is not striving to be united with Christ; pretty much everything the world teaches is contrary to what the Lord is calling us to. So, in a world that says we should avoid suffering and detest it above everything, I am called to accept it and even rejoice in it! Rejoicing and accepting do not mean I am searching for pain or making myself suffer, but when I suffer I am sharing in the sufferings of Christ. When I accept my suffering, I am trusting in the Lord’s plan and not in the lies of the world. 

A life of comfort and ease can lead me to believe I do not need the Lord. Suffering reminds me of how much I need the Lord! He alone can use my suffering for His glory and the good of the Church. Suffering reminds me that my life on earth is temporary and that suffering in this life can, if I permit it, lead me to eternal life. 

If, as the author of Hebrews says, Jesus was tested through his suffering, why should I expect anything different? Why should I want anything different? 

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​Sr. Teresa MacDonald

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