Redemptive Suffering and the Sacrament of Anointing CCC 1499 By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed, she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the people of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ. Romans 8:17, “If we are children (of God) we are heirs as well: heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, sharing his sufferings so as to share his glory.” 2 Corinthians 4:17, “The troubles which are soon over, though they weigh little, train us for the carrying of a weight of eternal glory which is out of proportion to them.” Colossians 1:24, “It makes me happy to suffer for you, as I am suffering now, and in my own body to do what I can to make up all that has still to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church.”  Why does Jesus want us to participate in His suffering? Our suffering can be good for us  Our suffering can be good for others CCC 1500    Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death. 1501    Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him. 1505, During his lifetime, Jesus healed many who were sick.  “But he did not heal all the sick. His healings were signs of the coming of the kingdom of God. They announced a more radical healing: the victory over sin and death through his Passover. On the cross Christ took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the ‘sin of the world,’ of which illness is only a consequence. CCC 1505 ends with, “By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering:  it can henceforth configure us to him  and unite us with his redemptive Passion.” CCC 1506 Christ invites his disciples to follow him by taking up their cross in their turn.  Matthew 10:38, “Anyone who does not take his cross and follow in my footsteps is not worthy of me.”) By following him they acquire a new outlook on illness and the sick.” CCC 1508 Reminds us that we should pray and do all we can medically to be healed. “But even the most intense prayers do not always obtain the healing of all illnesses. Thus St. Paul must learn from the Lord that “my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” (2 Corinthians 12:9) and that the sufferings to be endured can mean that “in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his Body, the Church.” (Colossians 1:24). Cross-Reference 618 speaks of Our participation in Christ’s sacrifice: The cross is the unique sacrifice of Christ…the possibility of being made partners in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery is offered to all men. He calls his disciples to take up their cross and follow him, for Christ also suffered for us leaving us an example so that we should follow in his steps.  In fact Jesus desires to associate with his redeeming sacrifice those who were to be its first beneficiaries. This is achieved supremely in the case of his mother, who was associated more intimately than any other person in the mystery of his redemptive suffering. (cf. Mk 10:39, Col 1:24) The Christian Meaning of Human Suffering What do people need to know in suffering?  God is all good, all knowing, and all powerful Evil and suffering are not more powerful than God Nothing can happen to you or a loved one that is beyond the power of God to turn it to the greatest good.