The Meaning of Suffering

Books upon books have been written about the problem of suffering. Fr. Mike isn’t about to reinvent the wheel in this video, but the wisdom he shares in it ​echoes​ that of the saints. What did the saints and martyrs know about suffering that enabled them to endure so much of it? Christ didn’t give them some mystical superpower; he simply gave their suffering a purpose.
Fr. Mike's videos are now available as podcasts at www.ascensionpresents.com/podcasts.
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[@HiroseFamily5]

My grandmother was really good at what Fr. Mike invites us to do. At the end of her battle with Emphysema she suffered greatly. Honestly, her entire illness was excruciating. But she would point to the Crucifix and say, "If He could do that, I can do this."

[@divyajoyce4880]

Wow

[@Steve-qr2lm]

That’s so incredible what an amazing lady 🙏🏽

[@RoniiiB]

Wow AMEN 🙏

[@lauray.4434]

Your grandmother is very inspiring.

[@abbie.ireland]

My grandad suffered for years until his death but always a gentle smile on his face. I miss him. x

[@user-su9iq6et1c]

❤"God Is Love."❤ "God Is "Love" 'Through, With, And In' "Jesus Christ" From The 'Beginnings Of Time, Now, Today, And Forever Eternally' In Our 'One, True, Living, And Loving,' "God's Will." Amen." "To 'Love' Is To 'Suffer' As To 'Suffer' Is To 'Love.' "Amen."❤❤❤❤

[@LindaRibaudo]

My husband had been suffering depression for over 4 years. I hope he finds Jesus & God again.

[@marynoren3189]

So sorry❤ 🙏

[@SharylSicoli]

I have a love who suffers with depression and anxiety…. Peace be with you today 🙏🏼

[@nhuthan3802]

"Jesus didn't come to take away suffering. He came to transform suffering."

[@jchristopher83]

I'm just a week person complaining about my back pain and trying to understand why it happens when I really press in to God but now I feel closer to him which is really all I desire

[@LearnEnglishESL]

A mystic reality for becoming more spiritual is that... "Grief and sorrow do not come to us by chance, they are sent to us by the Divine Mercy for our own perfecting." - Abdu’l-Baha, Paris Talks

[@kristinpreisler2087]

Cried so hard through this. Thanks for communicating the depth of Jesus' love.

[@lindamedina1829]

Thank you Father Mike, I've been suffering in an abusive marriage for 21 years, a lot of spiritual warfare. This morning he went to Mass with me. I hope he will open up enough to watch your videos, I know you have helped me, please keep going. God bless you.

[@sabah4123]

It's an invitation to God & trusting in Jesus Christ. Holding on to our faith through painful grief & trauma. 💔🙏🇦🇺

[@RobPonce]

How do I know God is real? Easy answer; because when I'm going through something and I happen to watch this particular video, for no specific reason, and BAM! I heard a message from God that I NEEDED to hear at this specific moment. Thank you Father Mike!

[@joynermaidana2375]

Me. I was a nominal Catholic. But then I got curious on the Church's history so I went on to do some research and found out that saints Peter, Paul and all the other apostles are real people in history. Including the fact that they died of horrible deaths affirming Jesus' death and resurrection. I questioned my faith no more.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

how do i know god is not real? plenty of reasons. explain to me how we have free will. we don't. god allows us to cure smallpox, whooping cough, diptheria, polio, etc etc, but he still only cures cancer one miracle at a time, suspicious? god thinks rape is okay cos it will ultimately lead to a greater good, so lets cause the maximum suffering cos hey, think of how great things it will lead to. name ONE thing god has done for humanity, one verifiable, indisputable thing. god ahs "performed manymiracles" why has he NEVER restored an amputee? jesus = god = immortal, how can you be immortal, become mortal, then be immortal again? even god can't be two contradictory things at once - the crucifiction was a fake if it happened at all. god doesn't die.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

@@joynermaidana2375 check out sean mcdowell's channel about the apostles cos you have that a little squiffy. no one can say for certain any of them were ACTUALLY martyred or why they were actually killed.

[@armchairshaman2860]

I wish I had that same experience. Good on you man.

[@courtneylovesreading4116]

Hello Father. Will you please make a video on mental health and the Catholic faith. Thank you for making this wonderful video.

[@squirtle7G1]

I would love a video like this! God bless you! 🙂

[@st0ckk242]

it this video made up? any link?

[@electricmoon5402]

Why is Mental Health & Catholic Faith even used in the same sentence? It explains a lot.

[@ericsumnicht7829]

Please try this video again with a bit more serious demeanor. Oddly you come across as excited or enthusiastic about the topic. Try speaking a bit more slowly and distinctly. You seem hyper and insincere with your message in this presentation. Thanks.

[@Serratosteven]

@@ericsumnicht7829 wait how could you even create a tone for this individual you’ve never even met? Next why does matter how it was even asked ;dude simply asked about mental illness and how there religion or beliefs on dealing with em 🥱 as tuff as it sounds we know that they aint gotta clue about salvaging that relationship

[@bobbitoner2883]

I have had dental pain for 1 1/2 years and it is not over but I hope that I am getting souls into purgatory.

[@torikern6290]

Thank you for this video, Father. I've been struggling with depressive feelings, self-injury, and borderline suicidal thoughts off and on for the past four or five years, and it gives me a lot of hope to think of being united with Jesus and to offer up these sufferings to Him. Happy Lent and God bless!

[@AscensionPresents]

You are loved, and are in our prayers, Tori!

[@andrewvallot9337]

Tori Kern yes I am praying for you! Thank you for being alive! You are awesome!

[@kiki_lands]

Tori Kern

[@jeremygoethals9135]

I'll pray for you Tori! God love you.

[@Rokvtm]

Want to end suicidal thoughts ? Paxil worked fine for me for the last 25 years, maybe jesus sent me this awsome medication for depressive people

[@Healed.and.Thriving]

Good commentary. You are a good Teacher of Life, my dear Father

[@michelelewis5666]

Cool. My whole family is going to be saved and my sons are going to be priests! At least that’s what I hope my suffering united with prayer will do.😇💕🙏🏻

[@ullyesses-v1984]

Thank you for another marvelous meditation. A few years ago I was trying to understand suffering and came up with the formulation: "The reason for suffering is for you to find your need for someone else of for you to find someone else's need for you." In other words if we can admit the weaknesses that accompany our suffering, someone else may have an opportunity to bless us with their aid, we can bless them by being vulnerable enough to accept their help, we can strengthen them by our gratitude when they come to our aid. If you can get outside yourself in contemplating your suffering, a whole universe of possibilities starts to open up.

[@chesterx2600]

I'm always happy whenever someone else is happy, I want other people who are suffering to be happy, I'd suffer for them just for them to be happy. I can't watch someone suffer

[@marciadesouza3314]

Fr. Mike⚘. Thank-you🙏. For the "Meaning of sufferings" and the talk you gave awhile ago. My sister died a horrific death in the hospital. I cannot explain and cannot get over it. I pray to the "Lord" everybody.🙏🕯🕯🙏

[@alyce-kayruckelshaus1224]

Wow. This. Is. Breathtaking. Thank you, Fr Mike. And thank You, Jesus, for extending that sliver of Your cross to me.

[@tereselittleflower]

Prayer before work: "Dear Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you any sufferings I may experience this day, and unite them to your sufferings on the cross. I offer them up for_____ and whomever you see fit. Amen."

[@ruthnoelmarie...9061]

🤣🤣🤣 Tired today, here comes my bro’s to cut trees down, teehee...so blessed. Burning the barrels tonight yes haw! Thanks you Jesus for the strength. Bucket trucks are so darn kewl..

[@tamdaly463]

What a gift you are Fr.Mike, I love watching your videos, here In Ireland. I thank God for you and your wisdom.

[@yvettecarter5640]

Thanks Father Mike,your video on "why we suffer" has really helped me in my own pain&suffering,& has made me grateful for every moment of it,as i feel closer to Jesus because of it. I love your video's,& have learned so much.Thank you!🙏

[@TrialAndError8713]

#askfathermike Father Mike, thank you for this explanation. I'm 47 years old, have been married for just under two years, and have always wanted to have children. I'm finally realizing that Robert and I may never be parents, but I have also realized that there are so many children in my life now! I still weep sometimes from not having children, but lately I've found myself also weeping with thankfulness for the children of my friends, family members, neighbors, and CCD kids. I think there is a Bible verse about the barren woman having more children than women who have born children. I'm beginning to understand a deeper meaning of this. I still hurt deeply, but now that I see this, I have a greater appreciation for the children around me. Thank you for this video!

[@tharun960]

We're biologically programmed to have kids and continue our dna/genetics and procreate. So it's natural to feel sadness or pain when we can't/don't.. But that's life! Many children used to die in the past and even in the present! Don't cause yourself suffering by dwelling on what can't or what isn't.. Life continues whether we have children or not.

[@tharun960]

There are so many kids without parents so why can't this be an opportunity to be a parent to some of those children? I find many people restrict their love to family/friends instead of boundlessly loving all life..

[@maraloythomas9332]

In this world I've had plenty of trouble and suffering. It taught me to learn the hard way, learn from my mistakes and focus, contemplate and turn around. Thank you Jesus for ALL the suffering past, present and to come You have allowed me. It ONLY brings me closer to YOU... we are made in HIS image and "likeness". I rejoice in my sufferings for all those who have fallen away, the souls in Purgatory and those who do not believe. "Take UP your cross and follow Me" A small price to pay after what Jesus went through for US!

[@shahesfelazi8549]

oh that's an interesting explaination - Muslim here.

[@laureneonunkwo4519]

Shah Esfelazi holllaaa

[@kekero540]

If you want a more secular explanation I would recommend reading first “Notes from the underground.” Then “The brothers Karamazov.” By Dostoyevsky both are amazing books but the latter is a monster of a read. If you want a summary of the arguments here it is. Suffering is not really antithetical to happiness but a necessary component. Here’s the reasoning Humans no matter what external factors will suffering as suffering is a human invention we as humans will always find things unsatisfactory about ourselves and our living situations. It is the nature of our existence since we are from the tree. This fundamental anxiety however is what allows us, if we accept and choose to be enlightened by it, to progress towards a more truthful existence. This more truthful existence is the union of suffering and meaning. God is great, brother.

[@IVORY123100]

I feel The Lord led me here . Such a joyous priest that through him offers hope and understanding ... I cried last night

[@tinaferguson5241]

Thank you this is the best talk on suffering i have ever heard. You also explained it so well that you cleared somethings up for me. Thank you so much! We all need these lessons you give in these troubling times lately. You remind us we should be thankful to suffer with Christ! Thank you! God bless you and your holy gardian angels Father

[@jessevelasquez2549]

When I go through a time of suffering. I always get closer to God and even though I'm going through a storm I feel there is peace with in me. It helps so much to feel this peace inside of me.

[@RonRicoRich]

Yes, Jesus redeemed us at the Cross and is now Seated with God at His Right hand. Jesus redeemed us from sickness and sin by His Body and Blood. He came so that we would have Life and Life more abundant thru His Holy scrifice. He took our suffering, sickness, and sins so we would be free from it. To God all the Glory. We walk in the Joy of the Lord as He did what we can not do. Hod said we would have tribulation but be of Good Cheer because i have overcome the world. God has placed His Spirit in every redeem person. We walk thru the Valley of Death with His Holy Spirit. He lives thru us and i do not suffer as God works all things to my good. Darkness may come, but His Joy always comes. I cast my cares on Christ as He cares for me. God bless. Justme

[@dalime605]

please say a prayer for me. i gave up alcohol for lent and now 13 days into it life feels SO hard and so frustrating. and when i hear about us embracing pain, i get mad at god. i don't want to. so please say a prayer for me.

[@vickim4399]

Da Lime this is a year later but I can relate to your suffering. I hope u made it thru. If u didn’t u are probably stilll struggling with alcohol. If u haven’t yet try this video by Father. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGbdfWWLadVoibs “The Purpose of Lent”. It’s very helpful and encouraging. I am adding u to my prayer list. Don’t give up. Don’t give in and trust God. He will fight this battle for you.

[@lananhnguyen7415]

You're in my prayer. Whenever you sense the darkness, the dryness, the temptations, direct your eyes to the Blessed Mother Mary. The blessed Mother Mary is the one who can lead you to Jesus. Sometimes it's hard to fight against the temptation, but I insist you to know the even our weakness fail, God's love has never failed us. I had a really bad OCD and even when I prayed to God, I felt like it's not going to get better since my symptoms were worsen for 8 consecutive years. And when God's love has really touched me, and as I'm trying in surrender myself totally to Him by coming to the blessed Mother Mary, I'm healed. Even though I still find myself having some relapses, they're very minor compared to what I had in the last 8 years. It seems like I'm almost totally recover. Trust in God when you're humbly say, "Jesus, I surrender myself to you, take care of everything!" and He will surely take care of it. For every sufferings we have in our lives, it's when, I believe, we glorify our Father in heaven. There is no medicine more powerful than His loving intention. Say it with your faith, "They will be done. You take care of it." He will take care of it. (I found this in The Surrender Novena, and this is a tremendous help) God blesses you, my friend.

[@zaida4582]

🙏🙏🙏

[@salamangkali-allmartialart4836]

Better? 🙂

[@Quizzical_nonsense]

Rhodiola rosea, cdp choline could help. Alpha gpc once/twice a week. Check with Dr if you have a script already.

[@francismausley7239]

Thank you.Always great themes... "Suffering is both a reminder and a guide. It stimulates us to better adapt ourselves to our environmental conditions, and thus leads the way to self-improvement. In every suffering one can find a meaning and a wisdom. But it is not always easy to find the secret of that wisdom." ~ Baha'i Faith

[@kristinm3166]

Just cried. I have gone through so much physical and mental suffering caused by iatrogenic illness over the course of over a year. It has been torture. This message helped a lot. May God heal me and may I do good work for Him!

[@Debrannayaka]

The meaning of suffering is learning without it how are we going to learn we’re too stubborn to understand things but when we suffer it we learn from itBy the grace of God I have him and ask him to hold you in good faith in Jesus name amen

[@funnynickline]

Godbless us all Father Mike, amen.🙏👴

[@kimwooldridge8198]

I am a wimp when it comes to suffering, but I have learned through trials, and tribulations grace flows, if not on us ...to our family, loved ones, and those we will meet in the life after. Thank you Fr. Mike for your reminder that Christ has a purpose for it all! How wonderful it will be to finally see how each of us has played a role in the redemptive work of Our Lord through our pain, and through our suffering.

[@kelseythomson4418]

I want to thank you for introducing this concept to me. I've noticed the suffering in the world is a major driving factor behind many people rejecting God. In fact, it seems people in this category don't just reject him, they are resentful at the very idea of his existence. I recently found this is supposed by the catechism. It fills me with both empathy and hope. Though Im obviously not a fan of blasphemy, it shows the humanity of these individuals. They genuinely care about all the pain in this world. They feel it so deeply that it turns to anger. I've used the concept of transformation in conversation with atheists before, as well as empathy for their dismay, and the acknowledgement of their ultimately loving hearts. People seem to respond decently to the idea of God not causing suffering, or taking it away, but transforming it. I think it's a concept that people can wrap their heads around when it's refraimed like that. So, thank you again.

[@TMHoff-mx3dr]

This is attitude I had to adopt in order to get through my third liver surgery and 2 liver transplant. Even now as my Crohn’s disease (which eventually will lead to my rare liver disease again and a potential 3rd transplant) started to come back and get bad again, I have to find a way to keep hope alive but truly giving up an orphan disease. with very little research funding, up to God. In my youth I tried to control the outcomes of this disease by not fighting against it, but taking what I perceived as my failures out on myself in the form of drug abuse and suicide attempts, but God had other plans for me because even when I tried to control my future with a chronic/terminal illness, God saved me and truly showed me that I was never in control in the first place! Since surviving a suicide attempt this last December as well as a second transplant that should not have survived, I have truly found that having faith deep enough to supply my hope eternal is truly enough to sustain me, even when there is no medicine or medical procedure strong enough to give me relief. This doesn’t mean that I don’t cry and get upset when I can’t control my health. I think as human beings we are entitled to this feelings. But what is important is that after I process these feelings, I re-root my faith in daily prayer, daily mass, adoration, and the sacraments so I can get back on track with God and his people in the church where I always feel a sense of unending and eternal love. Here is an article about my transplants. I pray I never have to have a 3rd one. But if I do, I know that with God, power is made perfect in weakness and my relentless faith and hope for a future will give make me a saint in heaven if I can’t attain that type of intense and devotion for Jesus and the cross he carried while I am alive in Earth! I pray for all those who suffer alone or in silence. I have been there and you are never truly alone. Sometimes solitude is not empty, but full of answers that God is just waiting to reveal to you! amp.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/mar/30/kansas-woman-survives-liver-transplants-multiple-s/

[@iqgustavo]

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:33 *🙏 Jesus didn't come to eliminate suffering but to transform it into something meaningful.* 01:29 *💡 Jesus on the Cross, seemingly weak and foolish, is actually the power and wisdom of God, demonstrating how suffering can be redeemed.* 02:24 *🔴 Jesus doesn't remove suffering; instead, he enters into it to make it redemptive, offering us an invitation to share in this transformation.* 03:21 *🌟 St. Paul rejoices in suffering not out of self-punishment but to participate in the redemptive work of Christ for the Church.* 04:44 *💪 Jesus can make us strong in our weakest moments by transforming suffering, not by removing it.*

[@airishsitdown6825]

I've been watching your videos Fr. Mike, one thing I noticed you never ever mentioned that devil is bad or that they're always to blame in our sins and misery. But you give us picture that we're all broken, wounded. We are all in need of Jesus. I see such gentleness and mercy in your words that we don't look at our situation as entitlement to put blame on others. That we have to stop playing victim, that we're not powerless, that we are powerful bc we have Jesus. That we must take full responsibility of our actions, to know, to put effort in our resolution to bring ourselves closer to God that God loves us so much. I'm guilty, that I have favoritism when it comes to priest I enjoy the mass when the priest is good with the talk while I find it boring when the priest is not good with the talk. Your videos made me realize it's not about the priest at all. It's about the intensity of our love to Jesus that we're able to do not just the talk but the work too. My love for the Catholic Church is being intensified that as I enter in the mass and when a priest seem to be boring to me the more I pray that God send us Holy priest or make the priest capable touch our Hearts and move us to repentance. That the goodness is found not just in the Bible but in our lives.

[@MariaGonzalez-nv3nl]

I’m tired of suffering. But I love Jesus he’s my Savior.

[@TboneWTF]

there is no such thing as a god.

[@MichaelF144]

I was born a month premature with the umbilical cord wrapped around my neck three times from what my mother told me. I then broke my right leg (the femur) when I was only two. I was in a body cast as a result. After that when I was four I had kidney failure, fully recovered and no kidney transplants. In and out of the hospital for pneumonia nearly five times after that. Not to mention learning disabilities and put on ritalin which was a horror show. I stopped taking the ritalin and made a full recovery from that. I haven't even gotten to my mother and what she has endured. Safe to say its been a wild ride. Suffering happens throughout life. You just have to endure it no matter how painful it might be. Sincerely, Michael

[@annatatham945]

Thank you for this video Father. I have dry eye syndrome and I suffer through pain and irritation everyday. I like to think that my suffering is helping the souls in Purgatory.

[@90sdimples]

Anna Tatham And helping them you are. Greatly. :-) I assure you.

[@annatatham945]

90sdimples Thank you for such a wonderful comment! God bless you! 😊

[@annatatham945]

Dermot M I know. I'm on Restasis, nighttime eye ointment, and I use Refresh Tears as needed. I also take Fish Oil daily. Thank you for your suggestion. God bless.

[@nitad4203]

Anna Tatham I had eye trouble for well over a year. My eyes watered constantly and they were constantly sore. In the morning the light would hurt until my eyes adjusted. I saw specialists and eye doctors all at my own expense. I tried lotions steroids ointments you name it and it still persisted. I became depressed and self concious. Eventually I resigned myself to the fact that it was not going away and learned my triggers and how to treat it. A friend of mine asked me to go along with her to a spiritual healer. I ended up talking to him about another concern I had and he prayed over me. He advised me to go to confession and receive the Blessed Eucharist on the same day. I went to him for a few weeks and as he prayed over me I silently asked Jesus to heal me. Driving home one day it suddenly occurred to me that my eyes were better and had been for a while. I know it was my prayers and his spiritual guidance that helped to cure me and of course my Saviour Jesus Christ. I hope you get better and don't give up hope. God bless you (ps sorry for the long post but I just wanted to share my experience and give you some hope that your eyes will eventually be better)

[@annatatham945]

Nita D Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. God bless you! 😄

[@TiffTheTyrant]

I stopped, collaborated, and listened. (Wisdom from the book of Saint Vanilla Ice)

[@brunolassalle9840]

Thanks Father for this video (from France!!)

[@llp7261]

I am suffering right now. I have a sick father and my mother fell two nights ago. I don’t know that this video helped me feel any better, but maybe in time it will. Thanks Fr Mike!

[@insertnamehere3106]

I needed this SO much. Thank you Father and thank you Ascension Presents. *Gloria in excelsis Deo*

[@thereisnosalvationoutsidet3246]

Thank God for orthodox teachings again.

[@deborahmallesch2851]

I've done so much of this and it only helped me to become a better person.

[@thespoiledtexan3904]

Thank you. I was having such a hard time explaining to my VERY high functioning autistic son who has the bad depression and crippling anxiety his mom has and I needed help explaining why a loving god allows suffering; why our Father doesn’t zap it away. This helped. We have a good start now. Thank you.

[@calmdowngurl]

💕

[@kerwinfernandes9583]

Thank u Fr. God Bless u too! :)

[@calmdowngurl]

So good. In our weakness He is our strength

[@wynnneal4505]

I know this vid was two years ago, but this will always be relevant. Thank you Fr. Mike for reminding us to offer to Jesus what we are going through and to invite Him in it. Your final statements hit me really hard in the heart. I felt like crying because it hurt but it is very hopeful that I smiled afterwards, knowing that I am partaking in Jesus' suffering.

[@daponte18]

Please pray for me Father if you have time, I have anxiety every morning due to inner conflicts . Thank you.

[@Totoro-in-the-TARDIS]

Debra Aponte prayers are being sent your way Debra:)

[@mathewkanter9458]

Debra Aponte hands that help are better than lips that pray. Wishful thinking never saves the day!

[@stargazer9060]

Praying for you, Debra. Find something that you do regularly every day (a trigger) and when you do it (Say, like go into your kitchen, etc.) think about us praying for you. It will help you feel the Holy Spirit working. God Bless!

[@tharun960]

If you have internal conflict then ask yourself why you feel this way and do something about it and solve them..? Unless you find meaning/comfort in suffering and enjoy it.. Definitely true what Matthew Kanter said in a comment here: "Hands that help are better than lips that pray. Wishful thinking never saves the day!"

[@mi-ka-eltheguardian3837]

If you fill like you want to talk I'm right here. I ve suffered of depression and almost attempted suicide. If by any chance can be helpful to you, then it was worth. Peace be with you

[@kaitandlima4608]

Thank you fr

[@RejiThomas1]

Thanks a Lot father Mike..

[@philomenacommons9]

SUPER INSPIRATIONAL TALK THANK YOU!

[@nancyvelasco22]

Thank you , gave me the peace I needed to fall asleep. I've been feeling so much anxiety, this helped to give me some calmness .

[@wfm5121954]

Yes, I did read this in a magazine I subscribed to years ago. It is called Fellowship in Prayer. It was a short essay on suffering. The writer was a nun. She said that whenever she suffered she offered her suffering as she prayed the rosary. Each bead represented the depth of her suffering and her desire to offer that suffering to Christ. When I think of saintly suffering St Theresa, the little flower, comes to my mind. I read the book containing her last months of suffering. She suffered with tuberculosis. They say the autopsy showed that she was functioning with only one lung, as the other had disintegrated through her illness. It is a very difficult read. I remember when I finished reading it, she sent me a plenary indulgence. I have never gone through a single Lent without suffering.

[@HarryNicNicholas]

mother theresa thought that suffering was great, so much so that she denied her patients treatments, the worse they got the more chance of getting into heaven was her logic, religion is the path to stupidity.

[@eeolah4090]

My friend sent me this video because I believed it with all my heart - but was going through a feeling of exhaustion….So much so that I was beginning to doubt myself in the act of Redemptive Suffering. Thank you Fr. Schmitz and Elaine for setting me on the right track again in offering myself for people and souls.

[@michaelcallisto]

Jesus is literally the embodiment of the Human Condition and what did He do His entire life? He suffered. Because that's exactly what life is.

[@rr7firefly]

My grandmother was a devout Catholic who prayed the rosary every day. My 4-year-old cousin suffered for two years with leukemia and she prayed for a miraculous cure. My cousin would cry in excruciating pain until finally he died after long torment. My grandmother left the Church at that point. What was the meaning of all that suffering to that innocent child? Why does God let children die of cancer?

[@mariannazaful]

Pray for me since I will die from multiple sclerosis

[@tharun960]

Why don't you try reading all the research papers on multiple sclerosis? See if there are cases of reversal or cures? Praying may not be enough if you don't take action too? Try pubmed or the university library or talk to all the researchers in the field?

[@tharun960]

This organisation reads 10's of 1000's of research papers on health, medicine and nutrition and make videos/articles. Check out their stuff on multiple sclerosis. Hope it helps! Best of luck! nutritionfacts.org/topics/multiple-sclerosis/

[@christophergreeley4150]

I will.

[@DeeMGee1]

I will.

[@derekhandson351]

You don't know that bud. God chooses when you go. Listen to what the other commenters said. Maybe those links can help you.

[@kimfleury]

Thank you for this teaching! It helps develop my understanding of suffering even more. Someone already posted a Morning Offering prayer, similar to (but much shorter than) the one I pray every morning: In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ I begin this day. O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of Your Sacred Heart, in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the mass throughout the whole world, in reparation for my sins, for the intentions of all my relatives and friends, for my nation [and the nation(s) of my relatives/friends], for the Holy Souls, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Today again, I reaffirm my "heroic" act on behalf of the Holy Souls. [Which doesn't seem all that heroic to me because I figure we're all going to the same place (I hope): O my God! for Thy greater glory, and to imitate as closely as possible the generous Heart of Jesus, my Redeemer, and also to testify my devotion to the Blessed Virgin, my Mother, who is also the Mother of the Souls in Purgatory, I place in her hands all my satisfactory works, as well as the fruit of all those which may be offered for my intention after my death, that she may apply them to the Souls in Purgatory according to her wisdom and good pleasure. Amen.]

[@marilynpagliuca1478]

You are so inspiring! So now, I shall offer it up to my lord and savior instead of asking him to take it from me! I do remember the sisters in school telling this to us but, maybe I was too young to understand and now I do because you explained it so well! God bless you!

[@texas2step266]

What a great blessing this teaching is. So many questions I have had were answered in these few minutes. Thank you, Father.

[@memee1488]

Thank you! I have been trying to understand redemptive suffering. This makes perfect sense. Much appreciated!

[@bobbitoner2883]

I love these presentations - Father Mike is so interesting.

[@whatsup6628]

I was listening to Fr. Ripperger yesterday in a miscellaneous sermon he did about sacrifice and suffering and it really caused me a serious question: Does God want me to suffer? Does he want me to be happy? Recently things are going better for me and a few years of intense spiritual battle, repentance, and turning my life around. Now I feel guilty because I am generally fairly comfortable, I don’t live high in the hog, but have some money in the bank, closer to retirement. I’m doing some acts of charity, I’m helping others, I’m going to church, confession, staying out of sin for the most part. Is God happy with me? The nun at Fatima would fast and tie a rope around her stomach to give pain to God. I would like to learn how to fast but it had me thinking if God is ok when we aren’t suffering. I understand why he allows suffering but don’t understand why he would like us to suffer. Thank you

[@user-qw6dr3cq9z]

Thanks as always Father, God bless.

[@darrinhoffman4061]

Thanks for sharing the good news. I believe in the message you share. I will work at making the good words you share into good actions in my life.

[@fedora296]

thank you for your message Father Mike.... encouraging.... I am delighted in times like those for that makes me special the Teacher chose me to follow his steps... to me is not suffering.... is a privilege.... as bad as I am in this human nature gladly embrace it for the salvation of my soul......

[@nilslove3426]

Thank you Father Mike for these big words they have helped my soul!

[@john-wn4gi]

Peace be upon you and your journey.

[@redneckroy8947]

I gave up all of my comforts 5 years ago and gave my life to the lord. I live as a humble monk on a mountainside. I am building a monastery out of stone with my hands. Suffering is merely a part of life.

[@patsygabel1062]

Father Mike. Its so hard to suffer endlessly for years. I hear you but ........wish we didnt have to.

[@rosiegarcia3229]

Love Love!!!

[@coachchris548]

SiA LODATO GESU CRISTO!!! May God Bless you,Father Michael

[@giarose6493]

Be content in all situations

[@lizzystitch4842]

Thank you, Father Mike. May Our Lord grant you His peace.

[@MCS1993]

Great words for these hard times

[@Glory-to-God.]

suffering is a reminder from God that this world is not the destination and everything will pass, God doesnt want us to focus on worldly stuffs so suffering and pain will let us see the truth again and cling to God again. see how many people went to church after 911.

[@huskyfaninmass1042]

In other words the ends justify the means.

[@LOVEAI77773]

Thank you Father ! This perspective just makes sense, and relieves my soul ! Thank you so much

[@shelly12252009]

I so love watching you. Make learning fun. Biblical comedian lol. Thank you for all ur videos. Im obsessed with my new found faith. I watch all your videos. Have learned so much

[@cssourceism]

thank you, God bless you!!

[@patgordon113]

Thank you, Father. That really helps. Thank You, Jesus, Redeemer, King!

[@amazonadireitistaearmada7722]

Thank you so much, Father.

[@KrissieMagdalene]

Thank you, Father. I really, really needed to hear this message.

[@angelaburger9313]

Your videos are awesome. I loved the one on the dark night. Brilliant explanation.

[@julienielsen3746]

Our suffering is our standing against our troubles by faith in Jesus. Standing in faith using His Word against what we are going through. Meditating on and using scriptures on healing, deliverance from sin, and from poverty, etc. Whatever our problems are. It's easier to just do nothing and whine about it than to take the time and effort to stand in faith until it comes to pass and is answered. That is our part of suffering. Jesus did the rest for us on the cross.

[@giovannipagliari1537]

Thank you for another faith-filled video Father! God bless you from Canada!

[@cyberwil08]

Thank you Fr. Mike. I take care of the elderly and dying. Sometimes I have issues with the medicine I give. I look to you now for life and knowledge. Father Mike. We can attend Mass here anytime we wish too, as Roman Catholics on You tube. But you make the word of God our Lord Jesus Christ come alive every time I see your KZbin video's. Right now I am troubled Father. I give Morphine on a scheduled basis, to make someone die. I will lose my job, if I refuse. He will suffer, if I refuse. Help me!

[@ThePinkMyth]

Morphine doesn’t make someone die. The primary objective is to reduce pain and suffering that cannot be helped otherwise. If you are asked to give morphine to a healthy patient who can recover, that’s a different story.

[@old-woman]

Recommend this video from Yiming Pureland Academy Center “More Chasing, More Sufferings?”

[@elizabethheavenmusic9512]

Wow! Father Mike! This video is incredible and so meaningful!!! Thank you for being a priest!!!!! ✝️💜❤️🎶✝️

[@marcihf9763]

Thank you. Amen.

[@MrMuugoo]

Without Jesus suffering just hurts, but with him it still hurts and changes little to nothing in this world. Don’t believe me? Look at all the suffering in the world and look at how much of that misery has helped the world. Reality tells us a different story and the church is unwilling to accept it. Take it from me, a person who’s been suffering along time and who honestly believed God would help me from it. Suffering isn’t redemptive it’s oppressive, and when you talk about its pointlessness you’re chastised for lacking faith, and doubting God. Suffer well because you’re the only one who actually cares.

[@lizzywalton620]

Thank you so much. I homeschool and use some of your videos for RE.

[@angelalemos9811]

👍🏻🖤Good as always Father.

[@gobie1969]

it always makes me laugh when I see things like 'the meaning of suffering.' but you put it very well. although some may not agree, i believe it to be a reasonable explanation. 😔

[@leocavalcanti9439]

I love your videos father!!!!!

[@patricks1560]

The great advantage of Christianity, as opposed to most other religions, is that it teaches us how to deal with suffering, which is part of the human condition. If I can excel Jesus, the son of God, in my suffering, I will be doing well - " Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, misere nobis".