Three Questions For Those Who Suffer and Are Looking For Healing

On Tuesday evening I went to a healing Mass.  A wonderful priest named Fr. Hickey was celebrating the Mass.  As he stood before a group of people unified by suffering he pose three questions to each of us.  
1. If Jesus asked you to bare your present illness to ease His suffering would you.

2. If you knew your present suffering could save souls would you say yes and accept your present pain.

3. If Jesus gave you the choice to heal your body or your soul would you choose your soul.

It is hard sometimes to view suffering as a gift. One that God has given to us and one that we can give to others: either as redemptive suffering or suffering to ease the pain of Christ Crucified.

Jesus tells us:

“there is no way to heaven except the way of the cross. I followed it first. You must learn that it is the shortest way.... I am giving you a share in those sufferings because of My special love for you and in view of the high degree of holiness I am intending for you in Heaven. A suffering soul is closer to My heart.” (Words spoken by Jesus to St. Faustina diary 1487)

Catechism of the Catholic Church teaching on suffering

1501 Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him.

1502 suffering can also have a redemptive meaning for the sins of others

My mom once told me that we will be glorified in Heaven to the extent that the Father sees His Son in us.  If we are beaten and wounded by the world and our suffering will we not be more beautiful in the eyes of Our Father.