There is a bit of a mystery when it comes to suffering especially in light of a good and all loving God. The question is often asked, “If God does love us so much why does he allow us to suffer?”
I would suggest that though the question is a common one, it is not necessarily a good question. Suffering is part of the human condition because of Original Sin. Our nature is a fallen one, and daily we are reminded that we are not in Eden anymore. That is because of our first parent’s rebellion against God.
So rather than ask why we suffer, and why God allows it, it is better to ask, “How should we suffer?”
The second reading this weekend answers the question. In his letter our first pope, Pope Peter, starts off by saying, “Beloved: if you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a Grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.”
Suffering is inevitably going to happen, so how we suffer is pretty important. If we get angry and rebel against God in our suffering then we are not doing it correctly!
Human suffering no matter what form it takes can be life-giving, because Christ himself suffered, and as Pope Peter said, “it is an example for us to follow.”
A Relic of the Original Chair of St. Peter with Pontifical Coat of Arms, View 2 
Original Chair of St. Peter 
The Bernini Chair of St. Peter with the Original Chair Contained Within 
Pope St. Peter 
Statue of St. Peter in the Basilica 
Image of Pope St. Peter
