Opening prayer- 9/5/07

[xukeith]

I am reading the Magnificat and today’s opening prayer has a quote that I do not clearly understand.
“May all who suffer pain, illness, or disease realize that they are chosen to be saints, and know that they are joined to Christ in his suffering for the salvation of the world…”

Please help me understand how sick, and Catholics that suffer through no fault of their own benefit and are “chosen to be saints”.
Is it because we are all a community of saints? Or is it because sufferers share in Christ’s suffering and it is God’s penance for the world’s sins?
Thanks.
Keith

 

[Todd_Easton]

An in-depth answer to this question can be found in Pope John Paul II’s apostolic letter On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering.

 

[timoteosantiago]

A more concise response would be a quote from Mother Teresa.
“Sufferings are the gentle caresses of God.”

 

[water]

an extra note on this phrase “they are chosen to be saints”:

This does not mean that they are saints. We are all called to be saints, but it is our willing to follow that call. Following that call is to follow Jesus, and we know that following Jesus is to carry our own cross, our suffering.