Extraordinary

Suffering is inevitable. We see it on the faces of beggars on the streets, in the gestures of the sick and the aged, and at every gasp of weary men longing for a relief. It seems at times that life is plain hardships that we must face day-by-day. If this is the kind of life that has been given to us, is it worth living?

Arthur Schopenhauer, renowned for his pessimistic view of life, believed that it is better that we did not exist at all rather than to live a miserable life. True enough, most of us do not want to experience sufferings and pains because it causes us discomfort and distress. People look at life as something that must be free from toils and afflictions so as to become happy. This is the reason why so many parents work hard for their children. It is the reason why men tend to think of easier ways to get the job done. Suffering must be avoided at all costs. This is the ordinary perspective.

Christians, on the other hand, view suffering as essential and part of human experience. Instead of running away from it, they develop it into a great act of abandonment to the will of God. It is not seen as a hindrance to happiness but as a stepping stone which makes the person strong and grow into maturity which leads to that goal. By suffering, one becomes humble and learns to embrace his own cross and by doing so, he puts love in suffering and transforms it as an offering pleasing to the Lord. St. Alphonsa knew well of this as she cannot give anything but her sufferings because of her condition. What an extraordinary outlook!

Upon reading about her biography, I realized that what made her life extraordinary is her determination to offer something for God and to the people. Even if she was beset with illnesses, she accepted it wholeheartedly making me feel ashamed for each time I complain with a tiny bit of suffering here in the seminary. She reminded me that priesthood is not just a bed of roses. It must include the thorns. If am not willing to suffer, I am not willing to love. If I am not willing to love, I am not willing to follow Christ.

Is life worth living? Yes, even if it is full of sufferings. It depends on what we are going to do: we can own these sufferings and transform it into an offering which alleviates it and becomes our happiness or, become bitter and try to escape the reality that suffering is part of life. We are given two options: to be ordinary or extraordinary. As a fitting conclusion, I would like to share a song by Fatima Soriano entitled, “Aking Alay” which speaks about the beauty of sharing our sufferings with the Lord.

Buhay ko’y simple lamang

Walang lakas at yaman

Ang aking tanging alay

Mga hirap kong taglay.

Paghihirap ko tanging alay ko

Inaalay ko paghihirap ko

Anuman ang hirap ko

Sa buhay kong ito

Iaalay ko para sa inyo.

May rason ang bawat bagay

Ang lahat ay may misyon sa buhay

Misyon ko ang mag-alay

paghihirap sa buhay.

Minsan ako’y mahina

Minsan may pagdududa

Ang tangi kong pag-asa

Ang Diyos, ating Ama.