Coffee strong and good

Just over the last couple of months, three girlfriends of mine suffered sudden and traumatic bereavements in their respective lives.

Then I got to experience just last week physical pain and suffering that I have not been exposed to previously and it was an eye-opener.

In Pope John Paul II's apostolic letter Salvifici Doloris, On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering, the late pontiff states that suffering is "essential to the nature of man".

It belongs to our "transcendence" for we are "'destined' to go beyond" ourselves and we are each "called to this in a mysterious way".

Instead of running away or loathing the reality of suffering, if we are able to find meaning in it (google Frankl's logotherapy) and use it to transform our lives, then suffering becomes a positive thing, a signpost on the road, leading us to our final destination with ever-growing certainty and joy.

There is an classic story of how people react to adversity and suffering - either like carrots, eggs or ground coffee beans boiled in water.

Those like carrots who were firm and strong become soft and weak when exposed to heat.

Those like eggs who were tender-hearted and soft inside become hard-boiled and tough through and through.

Those like ground coffee beans transform the environment around them by releasing an essence that exudes a rich aroma and flavour, pleasing to many.

Thus suffering can be a time of transformation and growth, even as it evokes different responses from different people, making it both a universal and unique experience for each individual.

While each one of us must journey through life bearing our own crosses (albeit some self-manufactured and unnecessary) and work through the difficult times on our own, the comforting thought is we are not alone.

We are never alone, even when we think we are. This has been my experience through these last two weeks leading up to the operation and post-surgery.

The Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit, were there - through it all.

So were my guardian angel, Mother Mary and the communion of saints. It's times like these I truly love belonging to a catholic family! :D

When I felt discouraged or panicked or couldn't pray, someone, near or far, would message me and keep me going.

Or someone would pop by the hospital and literally be a ministering angel, restoring me to health.

I rested well in the knowledge that I had a prayer lifeline in my W2W sisters who had set up an intercessory prayer chain through the high BP, nausea, pain, bleeding, fevers and debilitating state of being.

Every little worry I have had regarding the entire situation, in offering it up I have found that His hand has guided and provided a generous answer.

The question, of course, is whether I allow myself to depend on Him for being weak and humble is... humbling. It calls for my continued obedience, chastity and poverty.

At this point, six days post-surgery, I can only be awed at how everything was taken care of as it should have been and that I had the best of care from all the medical professionals who were in contact with me.

I am profoundly grateful for all my visitors and my prayer warriors who have showed me love and care in a multitude of ways. People who appeared magically when help was needed.

My thoughts on waking two days ago and on feeling myself turn the corner was how truly blessed I was even as I had to "groan" through the last week.

As I look forward to saying yes with a more resounding voice myself and to decocting the brew that God has planned for me (yes I know what this time of rest is to be used for), I am glad for the gift of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost past.

The Spirit that resides within us and helps us "rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5).

It is a hope that does not disappoint, for as Fr. Damian mentioned in his Ascension Thursday homily, we are a people of hope because we know where we come from, we know where we are and we know where we are going.

I would also like to say to my three girlfriends, K., S. and P., know that I love you and will continue to pray that you each experience the blessings that come with suffering, and consequently brew excellent cups of coffee yourselves.

With the help of the Chief Barista, of course.