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CONCLUSION
Jesus Christ is the Model of self-immolation, of enduring suffering, and of “martyrdom
of love (Diary, # 304). Jesus also confirms to St. Faustina that He is “Love and Mercy itself”
(Diary, # 1074). In Salvifici Doloris, Pope/St. John Paul II teaches that Christ is “the definitive
source of everything that exists;” and that He is the “fullest… (and) the richest source…of the
meaning of suffering,” as well. 363 He is also the “Revelation of Divine Love” and He “makes the
Father present, who is rich in mercy and love.” 364 For to save man, Christ “emptied” Himself
fully (CCC, 461) to be the Suffering Servant, to the point of His sacrificial death on the Cross
(Isaiah 53:1-12). xc Thus, suffering is the greatest expression of God’s claim of great love for
man; giving it a “salvific meaning,” as well. 365
The charge of Jesus to, “Take up your cross and follow me” captures the call to suffer in
union with His atoning suffering on the Cross for souls. 366 In Salvifici Doloris, Pope/St. John
Paul II also stresses that Christ “accepted the Cross as the way to the Resurrection.” 367 Thus, as
Jesus took up His Cross, so should man, His servant follow His example (c.f. Matthew 10:38). xci
The Pope also stresses that, more than any other condition, suffering makes present in human
363
Ibid., Pope John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris, III-13; Dives in Misericordia, V-7.
Ibid., Pope John Paul II, Dives in Misericordia, II-3.
365
Ibid., Pope John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris, I-1-2, III-10-13, V-19, VI-25-30.
366
Ibid., Pope John Paul II. Salvifici Doloris, VI-26.
367
Ibid., Pope John Paul II. Salvifici Doloris, V-8.
364
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