What do we boast about in our lives? Perhaps things like the successes we have experienced, or our newest gadget, or a good deal we have negotiated. Or we may boast about the cleverness of our children or grandchildren, or about our favourite team’s win, or about our exploits and adventures. Generally, we don’t share the boasting of St. Paul, namely of suffering.
St. Paul experienced considerable suffering in his work of witnessing to the gospel from within faith. Along the way, it seems that he learned about the benefits of having to go through pain, disappointment and various trials.
How do we learn to endure except through being tried? Through suffering our character is formed and developed. Without suffering we do not need hope and the power of love borne to us by the Holy Spirit, which carries us in the midst of tribulations. Troubles in our lives are opportunities for the Spirit to pour love and hope more fully into our hearts, minds and lives, and that makes such a difference. It may even be something to boast about!
O Christ, as you have suffered for us, help us to gain the benefits from the suffering that afflicts us, that we may more fully experience the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Amen. —