What is Redemptive suffering?
Throughout the centuries, we have been taught that many saints suffered in their lives, not only for their own salvation but also to help bring other people back to the Catholic faith. What is Redemptive suffering? According to Wikipedia, it is defined as "the belief that human suffering, when accepted and offered up in union with the Passion of Jesus, can remit the just punishment for one's sins or for the sins of another, or for the other physical or spiritual needs of oneself or another. Like an indulgence, redemptive suffering does not gain the individual forgiveness for their sin; forgiveness results from God’s grace, freely given through Christ, which cannot be earned. After one's sins are forgiven, the individual's suffering can reduce the penalty due for sin.
Jesus died for our sins so that we might have eternal life with Him. He freed us from the bondage of sin. When we suffer from humiliation, illness, disease or from anything, we can offer our suffering, not only as penance for our own sins but also as penance for someone else's sin. As a result of offering our suffering for ourselves or for others, we may eventually be able to share in eternal life in Heaven, as long as we continue to live our lives for Christ, obey God's Commandments and follow the teachings of the Catholic Church.
Jesus died for our sins so that we might have eternal life with Him. He freed us from the bondage of sin. When we suffer from humiliation, illness, disease or from anything, we can offer our suffering, not only as penance for our own sins but also as penance for someone else's sin. As a result of offering our suffering for ourselves or for others, we may eventually be able to share in eternal life in Heaven, as long as we continue to live our lives for Christ, obey God's Commandments and follow the teachings of the Catholic Church.
