A new outlook on life

Fr. George Nedumparambil OFM Cap

It was on a Sunday that Blessed Alphonsa had the attack of fever that would, culminate in her death. But the people around her did not feel anything extraordinary other than the expression of pain and anguish. At the zenith of pain she tried to open her eyes and smile at others and crack some jokes. At times she cried out gazing at the photo of Mary Dolorosa, “Mary My mother”; and when a crucifix was given to her in order that she may find consolation and meaning for the agony she underwent, she responded with a smiling face to the sister who offered it, ‘I do not have any problem and discomfort.’ She said to Sr. Gabriel who was standing aside that she heard a sweet sound from her lungs. Later she struggled hard to get breath and immediately they sent for the doctor and the priest. The Doctor came to her and said she night be given the last sacrament. The priest, who was there at her side, gave her the last sacrament and she breathed her last on 28th July 1946. Seeing her death the priest said: “Truly, she is a saint”. Such was the brightness and light they observed on the face of Blessed Alphonsa.
What was the cause of this joy in her life? Like a person, an explorer who first and covertly entered the Promised Land that is a land flowing with milk and honey, Blessed Alphonsa has seen this Promised Land, the promised land of eternal life. She could see something beyond this suffering and pain. She could look in a different way at the pains and struggles she had. It is the resurrection of Jesus, the corner stone of our Christian faith. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, because we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are not seen; for the things which are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Cor 4, 16-18). And she valued this resurrection in her life the most. Again we read thus in 1 Corinthians 15:42: “What is seen is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. If it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. If it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.” Death, suffering and pain are only a semicolon in the life of a Christian. When a sentence is complete it needs a full stop in order to show that the sentence is complete and the meaning is complete. So also in our Christian life the full stop comes only after our suffering and death that is resurrection. If the Cross was the last word in the life of Christ, if Christ’s life had ended on the Cross, it would have been an utter failure. It was only a semicolon in the life of Christ and the full stop comes only in the resurrection of the Lord. Our Lord had merited this resurrection through His pain, agony and crucifixion.
Blessed Alphonsa understood the deeper meaning of this truth. It is not death or suffering that is the last word in the life of a Christian, but resurrection. “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in the world will keep it for eternal life.” (Jn 12:24). Through the small loss she underwent she gained immense victory. In momentary pain and affection she never lost her heart; rather she understood that it is only an ephemeral experience and that which comes after that, is the crowning of life.
Blessed Alphonsa found a treasure in suffering. The treasure is nothing other than the blissful life with the Lord. In order to gain this treasure in her life, she sets out on a journey from home to the Lord by treading the path of suffering and pain. She never turned back when difficulties came on her way. She stood aside by the Lord even when it was not tolerable. As a grain of wheat, which is ready to fall down and bring forth fruit, so Bl. Alphonsa was ready to take up the Cross which the Lord gave her and even in death she was united with Him, and she is able to enjoy the fruits of resurrection.
Peter said to Jesus: “We have left everything and followed you.” And Jesus told him: “I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left home, brothers, sisters, father, children or land for my sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not be repaid a hundred times over, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and land now in this present time and in the world to come, eternal life.”
Deep love and faith in Christ made Bl. Alphonsa consider her pain light compared to the perfect joy of heaven. Sincere suffering for Jesus and His Gospel will be rewarded a hundred fold. She lived for the future glory with God. She believed that in Him, who called her to this way of life, she lives, dies and enters into eternal joy. The Lord has raised her as His beloved daughter. Again the Lord has given us a good model in the person of Bl. Alphonsa.
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