AMDG
Note: Mark Nehrbas suffered through six years of
suffering in his fight against and aggressive form of stomach cancer which
included two major surgeries. Finally, a friend who belonged to the
Knights of Malta, arranged for his knights to sponsor Mark for a pilgrimage to
Lourdes. After bathing in the healing waters of Lourdes, Mark Nehrbas was
healed in 2017. He has devoted much of his time sharing the insights into
suffering with audiences. On March 23 of 2019 he was the main speaker at
the Steubenville Diocesan Men's Day of Renewal. He left with me the
following outline of the insights and lessons he learned from the cross.
A summary of his talk can be found as article
#180 at https://diosteubmen.blogspot.com/2020/03/180-mark-nehrbas-highlights-of-2019.html.
 |
| Carol and Mark Nehrbas in Lourdes, France. |
The Gift of Suffering: Lessons Learned From the Cross
By Mark Nehrbas
Hold up a crucifix. Think about the importance of the body of Christ on it.
Yes, to show us how much he loved us. But also to remind us for our path to walk in his footsteps with our suffering. What an honor! And how much are our brothers and sisters in other faith traditions missing when they venerate a body-less cross.
Lesson 1: God is Love!
John 3: 16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.”
This explains
· Creation
· The Incarnation
· The Passion
· The Resurrection
· The Eucharist
And if this wasn’t enough we have all the Sacraments, the Saints, especially His Blessed Mother, and special devotions like the Sacred Heart, and Divine Mercy……..
Lesson 2: Suffering is unavoidable.
Who has had any kind of suffering in his life?
St. John Paul II describes three kinds of suffering in his Apostolic Letter, Salvifici Doloris: On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering (for the original complete text, click on http://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1984/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_11021984_salvifici-doloris.html).
1. Definitive
2. Moral or spiritual
3. Physical
It’s a consequence of sin. Prior to the sin of Adam there was no illness or suffering. All was good! Sin brought suffering and death into the world.
· “Therefore, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude (for whoever suffers in the flesh has broken with sin)…” (1Peter 4:1-2).
· “Apart from the cross there is no ladder by which we may get to heaven” (St. Rose of Lima).
· Suffering can help us atone for our sins, but that is only the beginning and we should never stop at that level of understanding; or offering up our suffering.
· God will never allow more suffering than you can handle.
Lesson 3: Suffering provides us with the special privilege of imitating Jesus. This is DISCIPLESHIP at its deepest level.
· “Christ also suffered for you leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.” (1Peter 2:21).
· Imitate him in Gethsemane, “Not my will but your will be done” (Luke 22:42).
· Unite our will with that of Christ.
· Matt 26:36-39—“Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to feel sorrow and distress. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me.’ He advanced a little and fell prostrate in prayer, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will.’”
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps” (1Peter 2:21).
Lesson 4: Suffering is holy.
In the sermon on the mount there are three times Jesus calls people who are suffering blessed:
1. Those who mourn.
2. Those who are persecuted
3. Those who are insulted or lied against.
God also made it holy because he entered into it. God affirmed this by allowing his Mother to suffer. Remember she was perfect!
The Seven Sorrows of Mary
1. The Prophecy of Simeon—“a sword shall pierce your heart.”
2. Flight into Egypt
3. Loss of Jesus for three days
4. Meeting Jesus on the way to Calvary
5. Standing at the Foot of the Cross
6. The piercing of Jesus’ side when blood and water flowed out
7. Laying her son’s body in the tomb
Suffering is not evil. Suffering is a blessing!
It doesn’t feel good, but if we suffer in the right way, in Jesus, it bears good fruit. Jesus said, “By your fruit you shall know them.”(Matthew 7:16) (Referring to his disciples).
Lesson 5: We can find joy in our suffering!
“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance; and endurance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the holy Spirit that has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3).
· “I rejoice in my suffering for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is the Church.” (Col. 1:24).
· “Even in the midst of so much suffering I am happy because it seems as if my heart is beating with Jesus’ heart”. (St. Padre Pio).
· He walks with me in my suffering. I’m never alone.
· He also gives me brothers and sisters and their prayers are very efficacious! The grace at times is palpable.
· I have hope:
o He can heal me if he wants
o The resurrection is coming!
o Heaven awaits those who are faithful.
o Eternity lasts a lot longer than our time in the world.
Lesson 6: Suffering lifts our spirit and soul toward heaven. It’s important to have an eternal perspective!
1 Peter 4:1-5. “It helps sever our ties with the world. Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude because whoever suffers in the body has broken with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives on human desires, but on the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans like to do: living in debauchery, evil desires, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and wanton idolatry. They are surprised that you do not plunge into the same swamp of reckless wild living, and they vilify you. But they will have to give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead.”
When we can, become more focused on our heavenly call and less attached to the things of this world.
· 2 Cor. 4: 17-18: “For this slight affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
· “The fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, humility and self-control grow in us.”
Lesson 7: Suffering is the money of the economy of salvation.
· Fr. Michael Schmitz, “Suffering without Christ hurts; suffering with Christ can change the world.”
· We can offer up that suffering for the salvation of souls.
· As St. Paul says, “Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you; and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, which is the Church.” (Col. 1:24).
· Pray for relatives who have left the Church.
· Michael’s story
Lesson 8: Suffering makes us more compassionate.
· It’s an opportunity to become more like Jesus, who is full of compassion and mercy.
· Hebrews 2:18 “Because he himself was tested through what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.”
Entrust yourself to God:
1 Peter 4:19. “those who suffer in accord with God’s will hand their souls over to a faithful creator as they do good.”
Let us pray and bring any of our suffering to Jesus in the Eucharist:
Mother Theresa quote and prayer response:
“Jesus, I’m choosing to entrust myself to you in the midst of this battle, this suffering. I refuse to blame others or run away or self medicate or become bitter. Instead I will entrust myself to you, and I will allow you to work in me however, you want. Please bring about the results you desire.”
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