Across Canada flags were at half mast. Newspaper headings asked, "Why"? When four young Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers were slain on a farm near Mayerthorpe, Alta., Canadians wanted the answer to that question. All citizens of Canada surely felt some degree of the pain and suffering that this event brought to the immediate families of these officers and to their colleagues in the peace and armed forces that serve our nation.
Sooner or later we will know the reasons. At least we will learn about the series of actions behind this bizarre event. Another question may be asked by some. What is the meaning to this suffering? Is there a purpose as to why human beings go through times of trial, death and loss? In humankind's search for meaning, the meaning of suffering has most intrigued us. With our reason and rational thought, we humans often demand that the days of our lives have meaning, and that all events, even suffering, have a defined meaning. The French poet Charles Peguy stated, "Suffering and death are the only unavoidable obstacles which compel the most mediocre man to call himself into question, to detach himself from his existence, and to ask himself what would permit him to transcend it."
Pope John Paul II remains steadfast in his teaching ministry. Beyond the "soldiering on", or the flippant, "grin and bear it", he is teaching a lesson from his own life. He is challenging our society's mania for youth, vitality, perfection and appearance. Dr Manfred Lutz of the Vatican stated, "Precisely in the handicap, in the disease, one can…perceive the truth of life in a clearer way. The Pope's message is that suffering is part of life and has meaning."
Beyond the "meaning of suffering", I believe Christians are called to consider the "marvel of suffering". Children will break legs and arms and they will suffer. Disease still strike in the prime of life. Dear ones will die and leave others behind. Acts of violence will inflict untold suffering on victims. It was Anne Morrow Lindberg, a woman who knew suffering in her life who stated, "I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness, and the willingness to remain vulnerable."
Rev. Dan Schiemann, father of Peter, one of the slain officers, demonstrated the marvel of suffering in his eulogy at the memorial service for his son and colleagues.
He said, "…The pain of our loss is beyond anything we could have ever imagined. Over and over people tell us that they could never begin to understand the depth of our loss. That is true. But we know of One who does understand and feel our pain because He lost His son, too. It happened when God gave the sinless life of His son at the cross to redeem sinful lives and to purchase forgiveness for us all. Three days later, He raised His son from the dead and conquered death, It is through this event where human history was intersected by divine grace and mercy that we have hope. This hope, that's what's sustaining us. It's not an idle wish, but a certainty based on the promise of God. And this hope fills us with eager anticipation and a longing for the time when we shall be forever with the Lord. It is this hope that will ease the pain of our loss, as the Prince of Peace comes to our hearts and says to be still and know that I am God. Peter told me a year ago, "Dad. if something ever happens to me, I want people to hear about Jesus and to hear about Hope." Constable Peter Schiemann, my son, I carried out your wish this afaternoon…Peter, we will see you in heaven, but we can hardly wait."
Eric Gans quoted in Violence Unveiled stated, "Christianity's impact on the West is a tribute to the power of its basic conception, which is the absolute centrality of the position of the victim. The moral significance of this position is enormous." The cross remains at the centre of human history. Jesus Christ was crucified. He died. And in one marvelous act, God raised him from the dead. As Presbyterians we acknowledge the empty cross, emphasizing the resurrected Christ. With full acknowledgement of the meaning of the suffering and the pain of all humanity, we point to the marvel that the suffering has been overcome by the new life that has been made possible.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ Is marvelous for, beyond the suffering, beyond the horror there was evidence and proof of new life, of hope beyond the suffering. We believe that we are raised with Christ and we live our lives with that marvel of resurrection after events that challenge us to our core. The marvel of suffering is in seeing that in spite of this event, this remains God's world.
