Lent is here. It is a time for 'slowing down' (from the Latin 'lento/lentus/lente' meaning 'slow/slowly') and a time for penance. As the time of Lent is roughly 1/10 of the year, the Catholic Church often refers to it as a 'tithe' of our time - and our pleasures - to the Almighty God, and this necessarily involves sacrifice, both voluntary and involuntary.

Suffering is an unavoidable part of the human experience. Physical, emotional, psychological, even spiritual suffering... we all encounter challenges that push us to our limits. In the face of such difficulties, our Catholic faith offers a unique perspective: the practice of "offering up" our sufferings.

But what does this act truly mean? It goes beyond mere resignation. Offering up suffering involves a deliberate, conscious and intentional choice, with a supernatural motive, to unite our pain with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. This union isn't a passive acknowledgment, but an active surrender. We embrace our struggles, not with stoicism, but with faith, trusting that God can transform them into something good.

I heard a sermon on Ash Wednesday once which went something like this (summarized): "You have just received ashes on your foreheads. But ashes only come from something which has been burnt. By receiving these ashes on your foreheads, in the sign of the cross, this tells us two things: You can either burn here on this earth in this life, or burn in the next."
As St Paul says in his epistle to the Romans, "I BESEECH you therefore, brethren, by the mercy of God, that you present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing unto God, your reasonable service."

Therefore, in Lent, we are called upon to offer some additional sacrifices above and beyond our normal sacrifices (assuming we are sacrificing anything at all). But we shouldn't limit ourselves to this only; rather, we should also strive to accept whatever sufferings God chooses to send us with perfect resignation and even joy. But sometimes it can be difficult to make sense of certain sufferings (the loss of a child, for example) and ask God 'why?' or even begin to blame God for our troubles. So how can we better understand the Christian view of suffering and 'offer up' those sufferings and sacrifices to help us grow in the spiritual life and merit graces for ourselves and the whole world? Here are just a few points to consider:

Redemptive Suffering:
Jesus's crucifixion wasn't simply an act of pain, but a powerful offering that brought salvation to humanity. By uniting our suffering with his, we participate in this ongoing work of redemption, contributing to the healing and growth of both ourselves and others.

Christ's Invitation:
Jesus tells us that if we wish to be His disciples - and hence, get to heaven - we must " DENY [ourselves], take up our cross DAILY" and follow him. Offering up suffering isn't about seeking out pain in a kind of masochistic way, but about recognizing the challenges we already face, denying ourselves certain legitimate pleasures on occasion so as to 'bring our bodies into subjection (1 Corinthians 9:27), and choosing to see them through the lens of faith.

This highlights another important fact. When we sin, we essentially steal from God. As He is our Creator, keeps us in existence and gives us everything, we naturally owe Him everything, including our entire will. His will is perfect, ours is not. In the Old Testament, because they did not yet have the sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation, when someone sinned they had to sacrifice something of their substance: a cow, a goat, a lamb... something which was within their means but still a sacrifice. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ has offered Himself for our sins, but that does not mean we do not need to cooperate and participate in that suffering and sacrifice. While it is impossible for any of our efforts to adequately repay and repair the damage of our sins, we are still required to do what we can and that is nothing less than uniting our sufferings and sacrifices to those of Jesus and the offering of our whole lives to God 'as a living sacrifice', to use the words of St Paul. Again, recall the ashes.

Mystical Body:
While offering up suffering can bring personal growth and spiritual strength, it also extends beyond ourselves. As Catholics, we believe that all Christians are interconnected in a mystical way, forming a single "body" in Christ. By offering up our suffering, we contribute to the spiritual well-being of the entire Church, including those in purgatory who are being purified for Heaven. Through the act of offering up our sufferings, we are invited to grow in virtue and holiness. The Catechism of the Council of Trent highlights that by undergoing penances, we become more like Christ, our Head, who Himself suffered and was tempted. This process of spiritual growth through suffering is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life.

Not a magic formula:
It's important to remember that offering up suffering isn't a magic formula that erases pain or guarantees immediate solutions. It's a spiritual journey requiring faith and perseverance. There will be moments of doubt and frustration, but the commitment to uniting our pain with Christ's can ultimately transform our perspective.

But how do we actually "offer up" our suffering? The practice can be as simple as a silent prayer in the midst of difficulty, or a more formal offering during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. But whatever it is, do it with great Love. St Therese of Lisieux, as part of her 'little way', said that an act as simple as picking up a needle off the floor, if done with great love (especially if were also an act of obedience) is of inestimable worth in the eyes of God. So, how do we 'offer up' our sufferings? Here are some suggestions:

Acknowledge your pain:
Don't ignore your suffering. Name it, understand it, and acknowledge its presence.

Shift your perspective:
Instead of dwelling on the negativity, ask God to help you see your suffering as an opportunity for growth, grace, and even redemption.

To Jesus through Mary:
In prayer, express your desire to unite your pain with Christ's sacrifice... as well as Mary's. Consider making a Total Consecration to Jesus through Mary according to the devotion and teaching of St Luis de Montfort. By this, all meritorious acts and all the graces earned from them are give to Jesus through Mary and disposed of as they know best. Offer your sufferings for specific intentions, such as for the Church, a loved one, or your own spiritual growth.

Trust in God's plan:
Remember that God is always with you, even in the midst of suffering. Trust that he will use your pain for good, even if you don't understand how at the moment.
Offering up suffering isn't about minimizing pain or claiming it's good in itself. It's about finding meaning and purpose in the midst of difficulty, and choosing to trust God's redemptive work even when we don't have all the answers. We don't need to understand it, only accept and embrace it as Christ embraced His cross. It's a practice that can transform suffering into a source of strength, hope, and ultimately, love.

Seek support:
It is not always necessary - and sometimes imprudent - to suffer alone. If you are experiencing intense suffering, it may be best to share your struggles with trusted friends, family, or a spiritual advisor. But always turn to God first.

Focus on gratitude:
Despite your pain, try to find things to be grateful for. Too often we take so many wonderful things for granted.

May you suffer well this Lent and all your life. Please pray for me as I pray for you. God bless.