Suffering and Transformation

Fr. Richard Rohr says that transformation generally comes through great love or great suffering. In the case of Sr. Celinda Medina, both appear to be true.

Sr. Celinda, who died on October 24 at age 96, experienced disabilities that left her unable to walk or talk clearly during the last 20 years of her life, along with chronic pain relating to cancer. Nonetheless, she wanted to connect with everyone who passed by her wheelchair, reaching out to hold their hand. Despite her diminishment, she often found joy in life, especially when family visited, when candy was to be had, when she got hold of a good book, and when her favorite program was on the television. As Kaira Jewel Lingo said, “Suffering doesn’t have to disappear for beauty to be there.” Sr. Celinda’s beauty shone through her sweet nature, patience, love of others, and peaceful acceptance of her infirmities.

For reasons beyond our understanding, suffering is an inescapable part of our lives. Jesus showed us how to deal with loneliness (through prayer), betrayal (through understanding of human failings), and physical pain at the hands of others (through forgiveness). It is a mystery why some people experience a greater degree of suffering than do others. If asked if we would prefer to be transformed through love or suffering, most of us would choose love, even with its challenges. However, when suffering befalls us, if we meet it with acceptance rather than resistance, it will lead us closer to Christ, who showed us that our suffering will be transformed into wisdom and new life — as it was for Sr. Celinda.