By Dr. Gary Keepes
CATHOLIC HEALTHCARE
Human suffering is one of the most complex conditions of mankind. As a family doctor, I spend most of my day either trying to relieve suffering or to prevent suffering from happening. Modern medicine has made tremendous strides over the past 100 years. Alexander Fleming’s discovery of penicillin in 1928 was the first significant discovery that led to a decrease in morbidity and mortality. Other advances in medicine have developed at lightning speed, including improvements in anesthesia, allowing advancements in surgical care; and discovery of medications to treat diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and cancer. Improvements in all of the medical specialties have also decreased suffering for humankind living in the 21st century. Really, I could go on and on. However, despite all of these advancements, we still suffer. This suffering exists in the form of physical, psychological and spiritual suffering. As St. Pope John Paul II says in his 1984 Apostolic Letter, “Salvifici Doloris,” “Suffering is certainly part of the mystery of man.”
To be honest, this is a very difficult situation to be in as a physician. We certainly try to alleviate suffering by using all of the tools at our disposal. But what do we do when our patient continues to suffer? How do we help patients to understand their suffering and to even find meaning in their suffering and trials?
I first try to assess whether a patient is open to talk about their suffering from a spiritual standpoint. A question such as, “is spirituality important to you?” will often help me to know if I can proceed further with a patient to talk about suffering from a Christian viewpoint. If the patient responds in the negative, I do not push the topic any further – hoping that, sometime in the future, the Lord might open their hearts to consider suffering on a spiritual level. I will continue to accompany them on their journey; to enter into solidarity with them as they walk this “valley of tears.” But if a patient affirms that their spirituality is important, I have an opening to talk about what St. Pope John Paul II called “the Gospel of Suffering” – literally the Good News of suffering.
Jesus spoke frequently to his disciples about the need for suffering. Matthew 16:24: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” He said that the way to the Kingdom of Heaven is “hard and narrow.” He told his disciples that they would meet with much persecution. He assured them that suffering was, in a mysterious way, necessary for their salvation. At the same time, he assured them that they would receive help from God to give them courage and perseverance during their time of suffering.
Jesus himself suffered greatly and was executed in the most brutal method possible. He accepted his own suffering with love so that man “should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16). He is our model. He calls us to follow him. We are called to suffer together with Christ, uniting our human sufferings with his salvific suffering. Our suffering then, mysteriously linked with the suffering of Christ, plays a role in the salvation of the whole world. How awesome is that?!
When we view suffering this way, we then find meaning, purpose and even joy. 1 Peter 4:13: “But rejoice insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, so that you may also be glad and shout for joy when his glory is revealed.” St. Paul also speaks of this joy in Colossians 1:24: “I am now rejoicing in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am completing what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”
Suffering is not good in itself and, as a physician, I continue to do everything in my power to alleviate suffering. Despite my efforts and the wonderful advances in medicine, humankind will continue to suffer. With the grace of God, which we receive by going to mass and receiving the eucharist, participating in the Sacraments, prayer, and service to others, may we unite our trials and sufferings to the suffering of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have faith that this salvifici doloris – redemptive suffering –will lead to our salvation and the salvation of the whole world.
Closing thought: Read “Salvifici Doloris.” It is a masterpiece.
Dr. Gary Keepes serves as Deacon at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish in Petersburg and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oakland City.