To His chosen ones . . . the grand and special promise that he makes is this: "You shall, I promise you, before you die, drink of My chalice." . . .
How blind, then, are we if we believe that every suffering is a calamity and a proof of God's wrath, and that prosperity is a sure sign of His favor!
(a) He sends suffering in His mercy to atone here for past sin, to do here quickly the slow work of purgatory;
(b) He sends suffering also to prevent sin, and to draw us out of sin, as suffering brought the prodigal home to Him;
(c) Lastly, He sends suffering to His chosen ones as to St. Paul; and these chosen ones then become, like Himself, Saviours unto many."
-- Father Gallwey, SJ
