21ST SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME: No One Wants to Be Chastised, Yet…

The Uncomfortable Truth About Suffering

Human nature instinctively avoids pain. Yet the Letter to the Hebrews confronts this aversion by affirming: “Do not disdain the discipline of the Lord… for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines.” Does the Lord really love us when we suffer, when things go completely opposite our choice? That’s something strange to human nature. Suffering, when understood spiritually, becomes a means of divine formation—not a punishment. Jesus echoes this in the Gospel with His challenge: “Strive to enter through the narrow gate.” This gate often takes the form of suffering, sacrifice, or letting go of comfort. That makes the message for this weekend tough and challenging.

The Many Faces of Human Suffering

Suffering comes in different forms:

• Physical and mental illness

• Poverty and hunger

• Betrayal, abandonment, or grief

• Marital or family strife, domestic abuse

• Parenting and Loss

• Injustice in the workplace

• Immigration struggles

• Grief and bereavement

• Persecution for one’s faith, etc.

Each form of suffering brings grief and pain — emotional, psychological, and physical suffering. Sometimes, the cause of suffering may not be clear, nor its duration within our control. Yet, Scripture shifts our focus not on why we suffer, but on how we respond.

For believers, Suffering Is Purification, not a Curse

The world presents suffering as something to be avoided. It is something like this: "If you can't end suffering, then end the experience of suffering." This is why so many people experience fears. The perception of the world about suffering can also give rise to suicide. Christianity offers a significantly different approach. St. Paul tells the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ… and the life I now live… I live by faith.” This is not romanticizing of suffering but a sanctifying of it. Faith gives us the transformative view of life because our physical nature unites with our redeemed souls in Christ. St. Augustine called suffering “divine medicine.” Through it, wounds from sin are healed, and the soul is purified. But we must not oversimplify this with pious clichés. Faith doesn't erase pain, nor does it downgrade its impact. Faith offers hope and guarantees that suffering serves a greater purpose.

The Cross of Christ and the Christian Journey

Christ’s journey to Jerusalem was a deliberate path toward suffering for the sake of love. Scripture holds, “Son though He was, He learned obedience through suffering.” (Heb. 5:8) As Christians, we are baptized into Christ’s death, meaning suffering is not foreign to our faith. It is integral. The narrow gate is the Cross, whereas the reward is eternal life.

Walking With Those Who Suffer

We are not called to explain suffering away. Obviously, only the suffering knows and feels the hurt. Rather, we are called to walk with those who suffer. We are called to accompany them with compassion and solidarity. The message today is that faith does not guarantee comfort as much as it guarantees communion with Christ. It reminds us that in suffering we are united with Christ, who suffers with and for us. As the Gospel reminds us, Jesus was making His way to Jerusalem—He is no stranger to pain. We need the grace of Christ to endure the experience of suffering.

Hope in the Midst of Suffering

While suffering is painful, it is not void of grace. Christ walks beside us, lightens our heavy loads, and strengthens our hearts. The joy of the Lord becomes our strength once we experience grace and mercy. Christ's invitation stands strong, "Come to me all who labor and are burdened. And I will give you rest..." (Matt. 11:25-28) The deeper meaning of discipline communicated in today's readings is that suffering can shape us into sons and daughters who reflect God’s love.

Readings: Isaiah 66:18–21 | Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13 | Luke 13:22–30

Reflection Questions

1.    How can I better walk alongside those who are suffering, offering them not easy answers, but faith, presence, and hope? (Is there someone in my life right now who needs that kind of support from me?)

2.    When I go through suffering, do I see it only as a burden—or can I begin to recognize where God might be forming or strengthening me through it? (What changes when I understand suffering as discipline, not rejection?)

3.    Do I try to escape all discomfort in life, or am I open to following Christ through the “narrow gate,” even when it challenges my comfort, pride, or expectations? (How can I grow in endurance and trust?)