The message of the Gospel is one of joy and hope, of gratitude and love. It is also a message of embracing our sufferings and brokenness, not for their sake, but as a gateway to joy. Jesus embraced the sufferings of the cross for the joy that followed. What joy? The joy of the resurrection and the joy of our salvation. We don't have to seek sufferings. They are part of life. But what we do with our sufferings can lead to greater life and joy or leave us in the darkness of our brokenness. Paul calls us to unite our sufferings with Jesus', so that they become part of the mystery of redemption. Lord, give me the grace to unite my sufferings to yours!