Week Thirty-Nine. Clean Heart. Suffering Well.

When a crisis hits, it tells us a lot about what lives in our heart.  How well do you react? Are you able to manage emotional distress?  In a culture where we avoid suffering at all costs, how well are you prepared when you lose a job, get divorced, have a child struggling for life, or see your husband battling to regain health?  Having been through these things, it is by God’s grace and Mother Mary’s example I’ve learned to suffer well which helps purify my heart. 

I am drawn to Mary’s example as a woman and a mother. Through all her suffering, Mary always points us to her Son’s goodness. Through her eyes, we see suffering as a way for spiritual purification.  We learn to unite our own suffering with the suffering of others to ease a bit of the world’s burden.  We learn that suffering can be our own resurrection.  When we die to ourselves and keep focused on what truly matters, we demonstrate how well we love and pave the way to eternal life.

In the Catholic Church,  September is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows also known as Mater Dolorosa (Mother of Sorrows).  Mary’s sorrows as the Mother of Christ are an example of perseverance through suffering.  The purity of her heart is always evident as she points the way to her son. She experienced many trials throughout her life, beginning with the prophecy of Simeon shortly after the birth of Jesus.  The Holy Family then had to flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s clutches.  The most significant of her sorrows, however, was undoubtedly the crucifixion of her Son.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.

Luke 2:34-35

Lord, thank you for showing me that suffering is a way to be closer to You, and as I surrender, You ease my pain and draw me closer to who You want me to be.