What is the purpose of your suffering? We all have to face this question at some point in our lives, and where we go looking for answers will make all the difference.

John Bodey was an English man who lived in the 1500s—right around the time when England split from the Catholic Church. He was highly educated, but because of his faith, he found himself in serious trouble. He was arrested and imprisoned on multiple occasions because he denied the supremacy of the English Royalty over his faith. And eventually, his decision to live out his faith ended in his martyrdom. 

John did not have to die for his faith. But what gave him courage to live as a Catholic, even in the face of great suffering and death? He knew that suffering has incredible value, even if we can’t see it in this world. He once said, “We consider that iron for this cause borne on earth shall surmount gold and precious stones in Heaven.” 

Have you ever thought of the suffering in your life like that? Each moment of difficulty, when carried for the love of God, when offered up to God as a prayer, becomes like a jewel on your crown in heaven. 

The world cannot see suffering like this. Why? Because the world views suffering as worthless. The world has no answer for the inescapable, unavoidable, and inevitable suffering of our lives.

But Jesus has an answer for everything. In the Old Testament Scriptures suffering is often presented as the consequence of people’s sinfulness; suffering was the result of ignoring God’s teachings. In some cases punishment was presented as being inflicted by God as a direct result of humanity’s sinfulness. In the New Testament, Jesus boldly announces with his words and actions that suffering has value. It is a tool that can transform us into more loving people. It ushers us into higher spiritual realms. Salvation and the suffering of Jesus are inseparable. So what could be more meaningful than suffering?

No matter what suffering you are facing today, don’t give into the world’s lie that it has no value. Offer it up instead. And have bold confidence that God is going to bring incredible meaning into your life through that suffering, even if you can’t see it right now.



Feast Day: November 2 (All Souls Day)

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Winifred of Wales, Saint Victorinus of Pettau, Blessed Margaret of Lorraine

Beatification: December 15, 1929 

Beatified by: Pope Pius XI