Summary and Review of Salvifici Doloris: On the Christian Meaning of Human Suffering by Pope John Paul II

I. Introduction

St. John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris (1984) offers a profound theological reflection on the Christian meaning of human suffering. Drawing on St. Paul’s words in Colossians 1:24—“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church”—John Paul II seeks to uncover suffering’s “salvific meaning” (1) and its role in the Church’s mission and communion with humanity.

II. The World of Human Suffering

Human suffering encompasses physical, moral, and spiritual dimensions, transcending medical or psychological analysis. Suffering’s depth lies in humanity’s experience of evil, understood as a deprivation of good: “Man suffers on account of evil, which is a certain lack, limitation, or distortion of good” (7). The Old Testament depicts various forms of suffering, linking it with sin and divine justice. Yet, the story of Job challenges simplistic associations of suffering with guilt, emphasizing its mysterious nature and foreshadowing Christ’s Passion (11). John Paul II declares, “Sacred Scripture is a great book about suffering” (6), recognizing it as both a human reality and a theological mystery.

III. The Meaning of Suffering

Humanity’s response to suffering often begins with the question, “Why?”—a query addressed to God as Creator (9). Christianity frames this question within the divine economy of salvation. While suffering results from sin and evil, it also holds educational and redemptive value, fostering repentance, moral growth, and communion with God (12). “The Book of Job,” John Paul II notes, “foretells the Passion of Christ,” revealing that the answer to suffering cannot be reduced to human justice alone but must be accepted as a transcendent mystery (11). Ultimately, Christ’s Passion imbues suffering with salvific meaning, transforming it through love (13).

IV. Jesus Christ: Suffering Conquered by Love

Christ’s Passion reveals suffering’s redemptive nature: “The Redemption was accomplished through the Cross of Christ, that is, through his suffering” (3). The Cross manifests God’s love and victory over sin and death, showing that “salvation means liberation from evil… closely bound up with the problem of suffering” (14). Christ’s Incarnation immerses him in human suffering, which he transforms into a means of salvation through obedience to the Father’s will (16). His Resurrection “throws a new light” on suffering, revealing the ultimate victory of life over death (15). “Human suffering has reached its culmination in the Passion of Christ,” the pope proclaims, emphasizing that suffering, conquered by love, becomes a path to eternal life (18).

V. Sharers in the Suffering of Christ

The Christian vocation calls believers to participate in Christ’s redemptive suffering. St. Paul’s words in Colossians 1:24—“I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions”—highlight the communal dimension of suffering within the Body of Christ (24). John Paul II explains, “In the Cross of Christ not only is the Redemption accomplished through suffering, but also human suffering itself has been redeemed” (19). Through Baptism and Holy Communion, believers unite their sufferings with Christ’s, discovering in them a path to spiritual maturity and solidarity with others. The pope underscores that “man becomes a sharer in Christ’s sufferings… to complete the suffering through which Christ accomplished the Redemption of the world” (24). This participation reflects the inexhaustible and communal nature of Christ’s redemptive love.

VI. The Gospel of Suffering

Christ’s life establishes a “Gospel of suffering,” exemplified by the Beatitudes, his acts of healing, and his sacrifice on the Cross (26). This Gospel, proclaimed by the Church, is lived most profoundly by the saints. Mary, as the Mother of Sorrows, embodies the Gospel of suffering, uniting her own pain with Christ’s redemptive work: “From the time of her secret conversation with the angel… she began to see in her mission as a mother her ‘destiny’ to share… in the very mission of her Son” (25). The pope teaches that “Christ retains in his risen body the marks of the wounds of the Cross… manifesting the victorious power of suffering” (25). Through the Gospel of suffering, humanity witnesses the transformative power of love in overcoming evil.

VII. The Good Samaritan

The parable of the Good Samaritan illustrates the Christian imperative to respond to suffering with compassion. “The parable belongs to the Gospel of suffering,” John Paul II writes, as it demonstrates “the relationship of each of us toward our suffering neighbor” (28). Suffering calls forth love, revealing humanity’s capacity for solidarity and self-gift. The pope emphasizes that “every individual must feel called personally to bear witness to love in suffering” (29). This ethos underpins the Church’s works of charity and inspires a “civilization of love,” where compassion transforms society.

VIII. Conclusion

Suffering, though a profound mystery, is central to the human vocation and the divine plan of salvation. “Through Christ and in Christ, the riddles of sorrow and death grow meaningful” (cf. Gaudium et Spes, 22). By embracing the Cross, humanity encounters the transformative power of love, which alone gives ultimate meaning to suffering. John Paul II calls the faithful to unite their sufferings with Christ’s, offering them for the Church’s mission and the salvation of the world. This union with Christ reveals that suffering, redeemed by love, leads to eternal life and the fulfillment of God’s salvific plan.

Review

Pope St. John Paul II’s apostolic letter Salvifici Doloris offers a profound exploration of human suffering through the lens of Christian faith. He delves into how our personal trials, when united with Christ’s Passion, can become pathways to deeper communion with God and avenues for grace. For anyone grappling with the challenges of pain or seeking meaning in suffering, this letter provides insightful perspectives that can illuminate the transformative power of faith. I highly recommend reading Salvifici Doloris to discover how embracing our sufferings can lead to spiritual growth and a more intimate relationship with Christ.