Anointing of Love
Sr. Agnes F.C.C.
The ever puzzling
question faced by man at any period, especially in the modern era, is
that of suffering. The Majority of us seek ways and means to tackle this
bewildering issue, while exceptional ones consider this a privilege to
share the paschal Mystery of the Lord. The very fantastic idea of kenosis
preferred by Jesus to any other for our redemption, is foreign to many
of us. See the contradiction: “God so loved the world that He gave
His only begotten son” (Jn 3:16) who victimised Himself on the cross
and gave us eternal life. The cross was accepted by His free will. Christ
says ‘I lay down my life of myself’ (In.10:8). The more we
suffer, toil and work for others, the brighter will be our life. The beauty
of the world is brought about due to the toil and hardship of many. If
so, think of the power of Jesus’ suffering. Let us not forget the
good that comes out of our suffering too.
In a world which seeks after love, people fail to understand real love.
It might be the reason that our present Pope, Benedict XVI, promulgated
his encyclical ‘Deus Caritas Est’. Today love has become a
merchandise causing crucial problems. We see avarice, corruption, bribery
etc. abounding. So a proper assessment of love is needed. Otherwise the
world may face the catastrophe of its own annihilation. The panacea for
it is that love should be flavoured with suffering.
‘Love of Christ urges us’ (2 Cor.5:14) says St. Paul. This
impulsion roused by the indwelling Holy Spirit made many a saint sacrifice
themselves for the love of Christ and their brethren. The myriads of means
chosen by them to express their love, are exciting. The faith dimension
in them is striking. So whatever loss they incurred on themselves was
faced fairly and squarely. One typical example of the harmonious blending
of love and suffering can be traced in Blessed Alphonsa.
‘Unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains
alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit’ (Jn. 12:24).
Enamoured of this Gospel ideal, Blessed Alphonsa longed very earnestly
for surrendering herself totally to the Lord through a life of consecration
which begins at baptism. One follows a deepened commitment of baptism
in religious life which is the culmination of baptismal commitment, in
the heart of the church. She was ready to victimise herself for the love
of the Lord and for others. And in response, the Lord accepted her as
a holocaust. She remained so till she breathed her last.
‘A person is Christ’s bride when his/her faithful soul is
united with Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit’ says St. Francis of
Assisi. Blessed Alphonsa was a true bride. Her desire to be a sacrificial
victim was answered by means of diseases one after another. To add to
the different ailments, she had to undergo convulsions very vehemently
towards the close of her life Despite the severe suffering, she wished
the least to alleviate the pain; on the other hand she was overjoyed in
participating in the suffering of the Lord. When one is in deep love with
another, hardships on the way count nothing; he rather welcomes them to
prove his fidelity to the loved. The serenity and happiness she enjoyed
after the convulsions made her welcome them. From childhood to death suffering
was her lot; but no complaint. Her sleepless nights of agony were an affair
of love for her. That is why she said of those nights ‘I am loving.’
Blessed Alphonsa was so free and united to the Lord in love that her intercessions
on behalf of the needy were answered. She presented her arguments before
the Lord that out of love for Him she underwent much suffering. So he
must comply with her requests. That this intercession continues even today
is proved by the throng at her feet. They call her ‘Amma’
(though, during life, she did not liketo be called so) and they say she
never fails them and she is at their beck and call always. Their emotional
expression even goes to the extent of taking a pinch of sand from the
graveyard of the blessed. Reports of favours received through her intercession
heap up as a proof.
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