ALL SAINTS NOVENA DAY 7, 10-29-09, SAINTS SUFFER

Damien suffered greatly during his life, both from the spiritual and emotional suffering mentioned earlier in this novena, as well as the physical suffering of leprosy itself. It is said that even in his last days of life, he continued to offer Mass and the sacraments, and build what the people needed—until he was too weak to stand. He undoubtedly took comfort in the suffering of Christ Himself on the cross, knowing the one that loved him and all of the people in the colony was not without understanding of what they were experiencing

How does this apply to us? It seems that daily we are taught to avoid suffering at all costs, take a pill, escape into a movie or silly tv show, anything to avoid the unpleasant.
If Christ Himself, the One we are to model our lives after, could not avoid suffering, how can we as His followers expect to avoid it.

Prayer: Dear Lord, the next time we must suffer with a twisted ankle, a common cold, being stuck in traffic or any number of things, help us to remember what you suffered and to avoid the tendency to complain. Help us to offer our sufferings for those who are in so much more need than we are.

ALL SAINTS NOVENA DAY 7, 10-29-09, SAINTS SUFFER