SHARE IN THE SUFFERING OF CHRIST...

Deacon Joseph F. Curtis, Jr.

The Seventh Sunday of Easter

"Beloved: Rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed, you may also rejoice exultantly. (1 Peter 4:13).

As I read the scriptures for the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Holy Spirit put many thoughts into my mind and heart. Beginning with the Acts of the Apostles, Mary and the apostles met in the upper room to pray after Jesus had ascended into heaven. They were probably planning how they were going to spread the good news to the people. In the Gospel of John, Jesus prayed to and with his Father before his passion and death. But a verse in the second reading became fixed in my heart, “share in the suffering of Christ” (1 Peter 4:13).

This verse took me back to my 2008 ministry assignment. Donald Cardinal Wuerl, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Washington, called and asked me if I would accept the assignment to be responsible for the pastoral care of deacons and deacon’s wives. Since I was assigned to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and did not have a parish ministry of charity, I accepted. This request came after I had called the Diaconate Office and inquired about the care of the deacons and their wives whom I visited. I was acquainted with these deacons and their wives because the deacons were ordained with my father, Deacon Joseph F. Curtis, Sr., in the first class of deacons for the archdiocese in 1971. I became very concerned when I found out that no one from the diaconate office was checking on them in any way. I found out that this was also happening to those deacons who had retired and were no longer active. So, I asked, who gives pastoral care to the pastoral care givers?

I would like to share my thoughts on this scripture using my own past and present experiences from numerous surgeries with pain and suffering, and through the pastoral care of the deacons and wives. Many of us learn that we will suffer in some way in our lives, and that’s when we turn to God in prayer for His help for our healing and comfort. I believe we are forever seeking God’s love and mercy at times like this. We seek his love and mercy through his only begotten son, and one of those ways is by joining in his son’s suffering. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we must look within ourselves for the strength and patience we need to believe that we, through prayer, can share in Jesus’ suffering. Following Jesus’ example of suffering makes us worthy of sharing in his resurrection. To do this, we must be open to the Holy Spirit to hear the Lord’s voice in the deepest reaches of our hearts. St. Augustine wrote, “You were within me, but I was outside myself, and there I sought you.” (PRAYER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO - Finding God After A Long Search)

I found that many deacons were alone and lonely. I learned while studying pastoral care that it is spiritually and morally dangerous to leave a person who is lonely and/or alone when they are sick and suffering. The pain and suffering can be so difficult for that person that they may tend to lose hope for God’s help and move away from Jesus’ cross, rather than cling to it. Prayer assures those who are suffering the great truth of Jesus’ suffering. We must see our suffering in the passion of Christ. Even though at times we may feel abandoned by God, the sick and suffering must keep their hearts, minds, and souls on the cross of Jesus, remembering that he always keeps his healing hands on our pain.

What does “share in the suffering of Christ” mean to you?

Let us pray, Jesus, as you give the sick and suffering a share in your cross, give us the patience and strength to endure. For those of us who do not believe in sharing their suffering and pain with your suffering, touch their hearts through the Holy Spirit to lead them to inner healing. Amen.

Deacon Joseph F. Curtis, Jr., Our Lady of Queen of Peace, Washington, DC.