Living in this painful world is never easy. From the moment that we’re born until our very last breath, we experience suffering of all kinds. Some of these are mental or emotional. Others consist of extreme physical pain that seems to take away every last bit of goodness and beauty in life.
Pain is real. The truth of it cannot be denied. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could just wish it all away?
But to live is to accept everything in this life, including pain. Our pain, and the pain of those we love.
Considering, however, how billions of people today have continued to choose staying alive, I think most of us never thought it better to simply end our lives just to escape from pain.
Despite its struggles, we still see what’s good and beautiful in the life we are given. We do our best to overcome our trials. We carry on. We even manage to smile despite all of our problems.
Many times, even a simple glimpse at something lovable can uplift our spirits and gift us hope. Ah, life is not all about suffering. It is for heavenly moments such as this one that we live for.
Courage is thus a very vital virtue. Through courage, we prevent our hearts from shrinking before we ever reach our dreams. Through courage, we learn to love and to fight for our love, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.
Pain may be real. But so is beauty. And so is love. Love that conquers even the most excruciating pain.
Guided by the light of love, we learn that not even suffering can take away our dignity as human beings. Yes, we may grow weak. And yes, we may become vulnerable. But that doesn’t make us any less human or beloved by God.
Jesus Christ Himself suffered excruciating pain at the cross, but He remained the Father’s Beloved Son. He never lost either His humanity or divinity. He was whole and beautiful to the very end.
In these days of secularism, however, this truth is quickly being taken away. How many times have we seen a film or a TV show that tells us that the only solution to pain is to take away life as well?
Abortion has already become a norm. It’s a solution seen by many to take away the suffering of the mother or that of the unborn child.
Euthanasia and assisted suicide are also being introduced as a way to end life with dignity.
While the motive of some people may be good, these methods of taking away pain also creates problems along the way.
First, it gives us the impression that a life with pain is no longer a life worth living. To say that one needs to end life before more suffering is to say that those who suffer have already lost their dignity. How does this affect the way we see the sick, the old and the vulnerable? Instead of seeing their strength, we see them only in the light of this pain that takes away their dignity.
Another problem that this creates is the image of being a burden to loved ones. When one has an illness or disability, one is made to believe that one’s life has suddenly become a mere burden to those around the person. Is this the way of love? To see the person as just a burden to carry instead of a gift?
While one’s suffering is real, the truth is that each day is also an opportunity to still see and touch and talk to that person. Each passing moment that you still have with them should be seen as a gift, an opportunity to love.
Those who suffer must not be seen as useless or unnecessary burdens. Their struggle and their will to survive should be seen as an act of courage, fighting for that irreplaceable time for life, love and beauty.
Meanwhile, taking care of them is not a mere burden that should repel us. It is an opportunity to show our deepest affection, a chance to continue giving to those we love the most.
“Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.” – Matthew 25:40 (NABRE)
Pride often gets in the way. Pride blocks the way of love. It tells us we shouldn’t need anyone. It tells us that we shouldn’t receive help because it makes us less dignified and human.
But isn’t a part of being human being able to depend upon one another? Isn’t our humanity forged also in our shared vulnerability?
In moments of our greatest pain, perhaps all we want is to take away that pain. But should it be done at the cost of also taking away life? Because that’s the other side of the story. For something bad to end, we also agree to take away what’s good.
Unlike us, however, God does not allow the good to perish with the bad. If He had this line of thinking, He could have ended everything for humanity after the fall of Adam and Eve.
Instead of doing so, He pursued the path of love. The path of salvation.
At the cross, Jesus did not promise us a life here on earth without pain. Instead of doing that, He redeemed even pain so that pain can serve a greater good.
Suffering united to God’s will is never in vain. It isn’t useless. It is something that can yield for us fruits of incomparable beauty and goodness.
“The sick, the elderly, the handicapped and the dying teach us that weakness is a creative part of human living, and that suffering can be embraced with no loss of dignity.” – Pope John Paul II
“Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable. Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator.” CCC 2277
“See, I have today set before you life and good, death and evil… I call heaven and earth today to witness against you: I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life, then, that you and your descendants may live.” – Deuteronomy 30:15,19 (NABRE)
Jocelyn Soriano is the author of the book Defending My Catholic Faith.
“Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope.” – 1 Peter 3:15 (NABRE)
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You may also want to read “This Is What Euthanasia Does to Hope” and “How Love Defines Our Pro-Life or Pro-Choice Perspective.”
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