A Note From

Rev. Joe Koyickal

The Meaning of Suffering

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds His disciples that following Him involves the cross: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, & follow me.” Suffering is never something we seek or glorify, but it is an unavoidable part of human life. As Christians, however, we believe that suffering, when united with Christ, need not be meaningless. Jesus transformed the Cross from an instrument of death into a sign of love, sacrifice, & new life. Our sufferings can deepen our faith, strengthen our trust in God, make us more compassionate toward others, & become an offering of love. Pope Francis reminds us that “in Christ, even suffering is transformed into love.” God does not stand at a distance from our trials & sufferings; He enters into them. Jesus does not simply explain suffering-He bends toward those who suffer. On the Cross, Christ reveals the depth of God’s solidarity with us, identifying Himself completely with the weak, the broken, & the suffering. Therefore, we can unite our own crosses with His, trusting that even our pain, when placed in God’s hands, can become a path of grace, love, and new life. May we find comfort and hope in our sufferings!

Blessings of peace and joy always! 

Fr. Joe