XI. Master Adalbert talks about sacrificing one's sufferings


Master Adalbert spoke grudgingly about "sacrificing our sufferings." He thought, following the theologian X, that we can devote only the good being at our disposal. As a negative example he quoted father D., who decided to sacrifice his sufferings, causes by an incurable disease, for the intention of the Holy Father’s health. He did not speak about it publicly, but the message somehow penetrated to a parish newspaper, and then to diocesan media. So the media reported: "Father D. sacrifices his sufferings for the Holy Father." "Let us heed the example of the sick priest’s heroism", etc.
- Self-advertisement, pride and looking for meaning in this satanic world - said Master Adalbert. – And after that, my seminarians kick each other’s ankles in the refectory: "Suffer now for the starving ones in Africa."
- You may know - said Monsignor Paul, laying a popular interior design magazine on the table – that after graduating from the high school, I wanted to become an architect. Maybe now I should tell you what distracted me from architecture. I once read an interesting line, I do not recollect it exactly, but the meaning was that the two young people had built a house in a beautiful garden, stretching to the horizon. The house was very small. They came in, or rather they squeezed in through the small door, opened the window wide and exclaimed with relief: - now, finally, you can breathe!
- William Blake, probably - said uncertainly father Hyacinth. - And what about father D., was he cured?
- No, he died half a year later - said Master Adalbert – in the provincial hospital. But the fact remains that the Holy Father lived half a year longer. So I do not know how to interpret it.

- I think I heard about this priest - said Monsignor Paul. - Apparently he also built a beautiful church, but this was before he sacrificed his sufferings for the health of the Holy Father. I think also that he had difficulty collecting building materials. This may also have undermined his health.