Sorrow and transformation
Who has not felt sorrow or been overwhelmed by its depths at times—wondering about one’s life, loved ones or future? Sorrow can be experienced as a low rumble or piercing anguish and pain, especially with loss. Yet have you ever considered that the emotion of sorrow can be an opportunity for good? The lives of the saints are replete with examples of ordinary people whose lives were transformed because of their experiences and became examples of heroic virtue!
Who has not felt sorrow or been overwhelmed by its depths at times—wondering about one’s life, loved ones or future? Sorrow can be experienced as a low rumble or piercing anguish and pain, especially with loss. Yet have you ever considered that the emotion of sorrow can be an opportunity for good? The lives of the saints are replete with examples of ordinary people whose lives were transformed because of their experiences and became examples of heroic virtue!
Although suffering and sorrow are to be expected in life, sorrow takes time to address, often requires the support of a community, and may be aided by behavioral health engagement (i.e., therapeutic or medication management). Yet sorrow is not always “bad”. Sorrow can motivate us to greater love, promoting action in our lives or towards others. Such is the sweet sorrow of repentance that stings with regard to one’s past wrongs yet also spurs one to hope for a fresh start. How beautiful it is when one can humbly engage the reality of the past and present, especially in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, know God’s mercy and seek to rebuild or start anew in relationship or be generous through the corporal or spiritual works of mercy.
Let us list a few examples of such saintly persons whose sorrows were transformed into glory: A woman saddened by her unfaithful and hot-tempered husband and wayward son yet unceasingly prayed (St. Monica); a daily drunkard for 16 years and who underwent a radical conversion (Venerable Matt Talbot); an adolescent diagnosed with sudden and terminal cancer yet in his life spread devotion to the Blessed Mother and Most Holy Eucharist (Bl. Carlos Acutis); a man whose beloved wife died from cancer and left him to care for their children and who was visited by physical and mental suffering (St. Louis Martin); Our Lady of Sorrows, who accompanied her Son to Calvary and watched at the foot of the Cross as he died, yet repeatedly engaged her own “fiat” to the divine and mysterious plan of God and held the faith of the Church to the Resurrection.
Questions for reflection:
- What sorrows are in my life?
- What do I mull over and can speak with others about or bring to God in prayer?
- What can I bring to the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
- Do I believe sorrow can be an impetus to hope or newness of life for me, my family or friends?
Sister Miriam MacLean, RSM
Whole & Holy is written by a member of the Religious Sisters of Mercy of Alma, Michigan. The Sisters were founded in 1973 in the Diocese of Saginaw and are committed to providing comprehensive healthcare. The Sisters contributing to this column are trained in fields such as social work, psychiatry, and social work. They strive to provide excellent healthcare through the professional training they receive and are sustained in their work through their common life of prayer.
