Offering suffering or sacrifice that has long past?

[ocuinn]

This is a question I have often pondered!! How appropriate is it to offer suffering experienced in the past to God? Now that the suffering is no longer felt in the present would there be any benefit to offering it.

For example a person who has recently rediscovered their faith recalls times of suffering they experienced in the past like physical or mental suffering in the army or the death of a loved one. Because that person’s faith was weaker at that time they may not have thought to offer that suffering when it was occuring. However now that they realise the benefits of offering suffering and sacrifice they would dearly love to offer that suffering of the past to God in reparation for the sins of the world?

Is offering that suffering of the past still appropriate or has the moment past? Would there be any benefit to offering that suffering now or has that chance been lost because the good intention wasn’t present at the time of suffering?

I hope this is not too complicated for everyone. Your thoughts are welcomed!!

AP Quinn

 

[Della]

Oh, I do that all the time. I wasn’t received into the Church until I was in my 30’s, and I don’t want all the sufferings of my life up until then to go to waste. So, whenever I remember some suffering, I immediately offer it up knowing that God exists in the eternal now, so to him no time has passed by. I’ve never sensed him rejecting such offerings and know no Church teaching that says we can’t offer past sufferings in union with the sufferings of Christ.