Reparation is a word lost from the pulpit in the last 40-50 years. When we all saw the entrance of the "feel good Church" in the 1970s, we were bereft of sermons on sin and punishment and the majesty of God.
Suffering was no longer mentioned. It became something to avoid, something to get prayed over to make it go away. Sin was reduced to a normal condition, and not a state wherein our very eternal life was jeopardized. The idea that our imperfections caused us to be pained because of our own sins got dropped from retreats and prayers became only grocery lists of things either we wanted or did not want.
The generation which never got spanked but had to sit on time out chairs was not taught consequences or punishment.
Suffering is mostly from our own sins and imperfections. We cause most of our own suffering. Now, I have had cancer. That is a passive suffering. It was a gift from God. So is severe sciatica, as I am humbled and cannot do the things I want to do, like be a nun.
Suffering can be both purification or purgation of sin and tendencies to sin, or suffering can be a consequence.
I am so tired of people saying that a person is a victim soul merely because they are suffering.
Those types of souls are rare. Very rare and the Church has recognized some of those souls who suffer for others. Some suffering comes in the very high stages of holiness, such as the stigmata, which is a sin of union with Christ in His Passion. Again, this is rare.
We are confused in our modern lives as to the need and value of suffering. So many Catholics, especially charismatics, think suffering is to be avoided. I have never heard a charismatic say that suffering is a good and may be an indication of the Dark Night or purgation of the senses and spirit. The so-called charismatic gifts may most of the time be false and not an indication of holiness, yet such Catholics seek those gifts and try to run away from suffering by the proliferation of healing services, many times accompanied by protestant theology. Consolations are only in the beginning stages, folks. Spiritual smarties, as I have said here before, should not be sought.
If life is hard, praise God. Suffering for our sins and the consequences of our sins may take years. Suffering can be experienced quietly, and many families experience suffering. The Holy Family provides us with a model of silence. We have no idea of the hidden years of a human family encountering God daily. Silence allows God to take over our imaginations, wilsl, intellects, souls.
Jesus is God, Mary is perfect, and Joseph was "just", that is, righteous. But, as a poor family, they suffered.
Ladies, did it ever occur to you that Mary may have had only two dresses-one for summer and one for winter? Men, has it occurred to you that Joseph in his poverty had to work long hours to pay exorbitant taxes and tithe, as all good Jews did? Youth, has it occurred to you that Jesus was obedient to his parents pass the age of 18? At home, the Son of God was subservient to His Foster-Father and Mother.
Doing penance is a grace, a gift. The three Hail Marys we get in the Confessional might not be enough in God's eyes. Suffering strips us of our faults, bad habits, and self-will. When we are really suffering WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL. God is. That is why is we allow ourselves to cooperate with suffering, we grow in holiness. Look at Job. He was called "perfect". Yet, he did not know God in the depths of his being. His sufferings brought Him face to face with God, Who is above all understanding.
Reparation for sins comes either in this life or in purgatory. This is joyful reparation. God is good. My heart is full of love and love is what it is all about. Do you not want to be purged of all things which are displeasing to God? Pray this happens and read the other blogs on this....
One reason I am praying and hoping for the house in Walsingham is to do reparation for my own sins, for those sins of apostasy we see daily in the clergy, sins against life, and sins of blasphemy against the Eucharist.
Pray, reflect, act...