Reverence for those who suffer

Whoever suffers and is in darkness

sees further than one

who is not suffering.

The sun has to set

before we see the stars.

Suffering teaches

what cannot be learned

in any other way.

It holds the highest rank,

the teacher of wisdom.

And whoever has wisdom is blessed (cf. Prv 3:13).

"Blessed are those who suffer,

for they shall be comforted" (Mt 5:4)

- not only with their reward
in the next life

but also with the contemplation

of heavenly things here on earth.

We should approach

those who suffer

with the same

and even more reverence

than we used

to approach our elders,

sure that from them

we would receive great wisdom.

By Chiara Lubich