We Can Offer Up Our Sacrifices & Sufferings

Angels Looking Down on Humanity

In the Diary of Saint Faustina, the angels view the human person with a holy envy and for two reasons. First, the human person is capable of receiving the incredible Gift of the most Holy Eucharist—the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus in Holy Communion. The angels in heaven will never have this extraordinary privilege. Also, the angels cannot suffer. The angels understand that suffering, if viewed and accepted properly, has infinite value and can be most pleasing to God. In fact, Jesus, the Incarnate Word, chose the path of suffering as the means by which the salvation of the world would be consummated.

Our Lady of Fatima’s Message

Our Lady of Fatima told the three children, Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta to pray and offer sacrifices for sinners. Our Lady expressed with sadness that many souls are lost because not enough generous souls offer prayers and sacrifices for the salvation of poor sinners. Another name for sacrifice is that of accepting willingly some form of suffering. This message of Our Lady of Fatima can be applied to ourselves in our specific state of life and our own sufferings. Nobody in the world can avoid the reality of suffering.

Offer It Up

These three short words sum up the entire message: offer it up! When God, in His infinite Wisdom, visits you with some form of suffering, it is of enormous importance to accept the suffering given from the loving and providential Hands of God and offer it up. Remember, suffering can either make us better or bitter. Suffering can either save souls or be wasted!

How To Offer Up Our Sufferings?

When we are suffering, let us strive to unite our suffering to the Cross—to the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus. This is we call the Paschal Mystery of Christ. United with Jesus in our lives, actions, and especially our sufferings, there is infinite value.

Sufferings That Can Be Offered to Jesus Through Mary in the Mass

Our Lady of Fatima, when asked by the children what they should offer to God, responded “everything”. Make your lives a holocaust, a living sacrifice of atonement, reparation, and praise. We will offer a few concrete suggestions on what we can offer to God through the Heart of Mary.

1. The Inclement Weather

We would all prefer sunny days with the birds chirping their melodies and the fragrant aroma of flowers in full bloom. But this is not always the case. The bitter cold, the rain, the sleet, and the powerful winds characterize the real weather forecast many days. Instead of complaining about the weather, accept it, then thank God and unite it to Jesus on the cross.

2. Health Conditions

As a result of Original Sin all of humanity suffers weakening health, sicknesses, at times diseases, as well as viruses. This too is inescapable! Why not unite your own physical health condition, your suffering, to Jesus on the cross? The value of this offering is infinite!

3. The Pandemic

A world-wide pandemic as such is unique in the history of the world. Instead of wasting this universal suffering, why not unite it to the cross of Jesus on Calvary in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Of most special interest should be those who are in their last stages of life and are about to breathe forth their spirit to the Eternal Father. 

4. Family Sufferings

Many fervent and prayerful Moms and Dads suffer excruciating pains as they see the children they raised as Catholics, having received all the Sacraments, unfortunately wander from the fold and abandon the faith. Despite the invitations, exhortations, and bitter tears of their parents, still the children live oblivious of God, as if He did not exist. In this case more than ever, Moms and Dads should not fall into discouragement, much less despair. 

5. Spiritual Dryness

Anybody who takes their spiritual life seriously will eventually encounter dryness or aridity, most specifically, in their prayer life. This is called the dry-desert experience. Instead of abandoning the struggle, throwing in the towel and calling it quits, hang in there and pray just the same. Indeed, this can entail great suffering, but offering a spiritual suffering is very efficacious and pleasing to God. 

6. The Death of Loved Ones

Sometimes when confronted with the death of our loved ones, our faith and hope can be shaken. In this critical moment, how very important it is to place our loved ones who have passed from this world to the next on the altar, on the cross in the Mass, and beg for their eternal salvation. “It is not important a long life, but a holy life.” (Imitation of Christ, Thomas Kempis) 

7. Upsets to Plans

None of us rejoice over people and circumstances interrupting our schedule, our plans, our well thought-out projects! However, whether or not we like it, our plans and projects will meet with frequent interruptions. Instead of losing our calm and composure, why not simply accept the contradictions and unite them to Jesus’ Cross of Contradiction? Place the interruptions on the cross of Calvary in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. So that the work you cannot accomplish may work to save souls!

Conclusion

In conclusion, my friends in Jesus and Mary, suffering is a human reality that nobody can avoid. Whether we are believers or non-believers, practicing Catholics or atheists, great contemplative mystics or had-core materialists, suffering is part of the human condition. But remember the short maxim: “Suffering either makes you better or bitter.” Bitter, if one suffers for the mere sake of suffering! Better, sanctified and growing in holiness, only when our suffering is united with the suffering of Jesus on the cross in Holy Mass.