HOW can we accept the suffering joyfully? Is it a choice we can make? Or is it something of itself that is negative? Let us face it: We are all destined to suffer whether we like it or not, or rather whether we choose it or not. Suffering is not a choice — it is part of the human condition. But, we must endure.

Suffering is given to each of us, but definitely we would rather not have it. Most of us do our best to avoid it. Since, however, it is unavoidable, the wise learn to accept it. It is, however, only the holy who openly embrace it and seek it out. It is the holy who understand the true secret of love as well as the true secret of life, which is not merely the acceptance of suffering but the joyful embrace of all the suffering, not simply our own but that of our neighbour and our God.

This is the ultimate secret that is revealed by the suffering Christ and those of His disciples such as the Missionaries of Charity; the Missionaries of the Poor sisters, brothers, priests; and the Franciscans of the Poor. Suffering, properly understood in its Christ-like simplicity and complexity, is not only endured but enjoyed. It brings joy in what is normally a situation of sadness. It robs sadness, sickness and even death from their victory and the cross becomes a source of joy.

That promise of eternal life is given by our Lord Jesus Christ who fills us with an expectation which overcomes the devil’s desire to defeat us. Instead, there is conquest of sadness and hopelessness. We are told to expect eternal joy.

The Lord has promised “I will be with you always, even to the end of time.” That promise fills us with an expectation of joy and happiness, an everlasting happiness and life with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as well as the angels and the saints. It promises us divine music, inner peace, companionship, friendship, community life, and a life of love forever and ever.

During our life here on Earth we give our lives, we give our gifts, we give our time and talents to others. We suffer, we are strong, we have the gift of faith. We carry in our hearts the love of God, the love of the poor, friendship and kindness for the forgotten ones.

The call to people who suffer from old age, physical pain, loneliness and sickness springs from Christ’s suffering on the cross; and the response throughout His life is to feed the hungry, to give water to the thirsty, to visit the sick, to care for the forgotten and rejected, and to find joy in doing all this.

I cannot believe this happiness in my heart and I cannot believe the happiness among the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) brothers and sisters when they pour out themselves in service to the homeless and destitute all day and return home rejoicing in their service of Christ in the poor.

I thank God for Vincent Chin Penn for his great service of the poor and we MOP brothers, using his musical equipment and his talents, for 30 years. He gave the best with the singers, without charge and with great love, in Jamaica and overseas. This he did for everyone with humility, simplicity and kindness.

There was nothing but joy at the full Stella Maris church this past Wednesday at 10:30 am at his funeral service.

I, too, am I in my old age at 85. I suffer and I feel it. I want the music and productions to continue. I want everyone to be happy, I want to continue bringing the good news of Jesus Christ to all. I don’t belong to myself, I belong to you, I belong to the brothers, I belong to the poor and, most of all, I belong to God. Pray for me in my old age; I will keep on dancing with you and for you into eternity!