Joy in Suffering

Abstract

In this statement of St Paul we have a great mystery which has baffled the human mind for nearly 2000 years. Another Paul, Pope Paul VI, just some 25 years ago spoke of this same mystery at a General Audience (July 26, 1974). After he had given several addresses following the Church's celebration of Pentecost with its corresponding outpouring of the Spirit, tongues of fire, charisms, and joy, the Pope said that this vision needed to be corrected with a second vision—the vision of the Cross, for `the Holy Spirit does not take the Cross away from human reality.' He stated that the `fortune of grace' and the `fortune of suffering' are two experiences which `are not only possible together but are compatible.' Joy can follow suffering, but it can also co-exist with suffering. `The Christian can at the same time, have two different, opposite experiences which become complementary: sorrow and joy.'