Thornton Wilder has a three-minute play entitled The Angel That Troubled The Water.  It’s based on the story of Jesus at the pool of Bethesda.  In it there are three characters:  a doctor with a secret burden, praying that the angel may come; a confirmed invalid who has waited long for healing and upbraids the doctor for seeking healing for himself; and the angel who stirs the water to bring about the healing.

The angel says to the doctor, “Draw back, physician.  This moment is not for you.”

But the doctor answers, “Surely the angels are wise.  Your eyes can see the nets in which my wings are caught.” The angel passes him in haste, but speaks again to him, “Without your wound, where would your power be?  In love’s service, only the wounded can serve.”

If we can believe that -- that in love’s service only the wounded can serve -- then we can bear our suffering graciously, even joyously.