"Charity beareth all things."
If anyone deserves to be exempt from suffering, it is someone who is full of the spirit of charity. Suffering is indeed necessary to expiate sin, to humble our pride, and to show us our own misery. Why should the charitable have to bear all kinds of trials simply because of their charity? Yet so it seems. Generally, the law seems to be - the more charity the more suffering. Perhaps this is why I have comparatively little to suffer.
Yet, after all, it is reasonable that the charitable should suffer when we remember that the Lord and model of all charity suffered all things simply because of His charity. What else caused His Agony in the Garden, His cruel Scourging at the Pillar, and His dereliction on the Cross? It was all the result of His Divine charity. We therefore, if we are to follow in His steps, must expect to encounter the same results as a reward for any charity if it resembles His, however remotely. If we are wise, we shall rejoice in any sign that we are to be honored by sharing our Master's lot.
These sufferings are a source of joy to all who suffer for Jesus' sake. He rejoiced to run the course of His Passion because of His longing to see those He loved delivered from bondage. For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the Cross. Thus, charity rejoices to suffer because charity knows those sufferings will obtain for it in Heaven the eternal joy of seeing others brought to God by its offering to Him of all that it holds dear. Even if I have heavy trials, can I flatter myself that my trials are a sign of a high degree of supernatural charity?
- text from Charity, Meditations for a Month by Father Richard Frederick Clarke, SJ