Life’s journey is often marked by trials and challenges that test our resilience and shape our character. One such journey is that of Barry Allen, the iconic superhero known as The Flash. Through my personal struggles, a profound connection with Barry’s story and its lessons emerged. This reflective exploration delves into the transformative power of suffering, drawing on The Flash‘s themes and the wisdom of the Catholic faith.
Suffering as a Catalyst for Growth
In our quest for a comfortable and pain-free existence, we may inadvertently shy away from suffering. But I have come to learn that avoiding suffering doesn’t lead to growth; instead, it hinders our spiritual life. It is within the crucible of suffering that our true strength and character are forged.
In my own life, the loss of our unborn children in 2014 and 2017 plunged me into the depths of anguish. The excruciating pain and the fear of further loss left me questioning the very foundations of my faith. In those dark moments, prayer became my solace, and The Flash provided refuge. I felt a strong affinity with Barry Allen, sensing a profound kinship of experiences and emotions.
Barry’s Journey and the Flashpoint Paradox
Throughout The Flash TV show, Barry Allen faces numerous trials that test his resilience and character. His encounters with villains like Reverse Flash, Zoom, and Savitar force him to confront his deepest fears and insecurities. The torment he endures teaches us that we must acknowledge and accept fear, not suppress it. Through accepting our fears, we find the strength to overcome them.
In the Flashpoint storyline in DC Comics and its adaptation in the CW TV show a pivotal moment in Barry Allen’s life. Fueled by grief and guilt, Barry changes the timeline, causing a series of events that reshape his world. This act of altering reality reveals the consequences of trying to avoid suffering.
Like Barry, I had been consumed by a fear of loss and an aversion to the unknown. Yet, I came to understand that it is precisely through suffering that we confront our deepest fears and find the strength to persevere. The Catholic perspective on suffering echoes this truth.
The Catholic Understanding of Suffering
Reflecting on the words of Saint John Paul II in Salvifici Doloris (#26), we learn that suffering, in itself, is an experience of evil. However, Christ’s suffering on the Cross transformed suffering into the foundation of eternal salvation. Through His sacrifice, He reached the roots of evil, sin, and death, revealing the redemptive power that lies within suffering.
In Salvifici Doloris (#27), we find the profound truth that suffering clears the way for the grace that transforms our souls. It is through suffering that we can experience the powers of redemption in our own lives. This Catholic understanding of suffering helps us perceive it as a catalyst for growth and an opportunity to draw closer to God.
Embracing the Journey
Saint Augustine reminds us that God gives us what we need for our salvation, even if it may not align with our immediate desires. This perspective invites us to surrender to God’s will in suffering. It reminds us to trust that He guides us towards a greater purpose.
St. Gemma Galgani’s words resonate deeply: “If you really want to love Jesus, first learn to suffer, because suffering teaches you to love.” Through our own experiences of suffering, we are invited to embrace the transformative power of love. Love not only for God but also for our fellow human beings, especially in their own struggles.
Don’t Run Away from Suffering
In the intertwining of Barry Allen’s journey and my own, I have discovered something profound. Suffering, rather than an obstacle, becomes a catalyst for growth and transformation. The Flash teaches us that true strength emerges from facing our fears and embracing our vulnerability.
In parallel, the Catholic understanding of suffering provides profound insights. It reminds us that Christ’s suffering on the Cross paved the way to eternal salvation.
In our journey through life’s uncertainties and adversities, we must embrace rather than avoid suffering. Trials grant us strength to persevere, grace to grow, and the capacity to love deeply. Just as Barry Allen transformed into The Flash amid his tribulations, we too can emerge as heroes, illuminating a world shrouded in darkness with hope and love.
Matt Chicoine
Matthew Chicoine is a free-lance writer, a life-long Catholic, and an avid truth seeker. He earned an M.A. in theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2014 and enjoys binge reading Tolkien, Chesterton, C.S. Lewis, Fulton Sheen and comic books. Visit his blog at https://thesimplecatholic.