do Catholics focus more on suffering than non Catholics?

[ez3714]

Here is (possibly) another dimension to this: A book I was flipping thru suggests that Mental Health professionals enter the field motivated by their own woundedness. If this is a valid theory, can we by extension say that suffering is absolutely a pre-requisite for compassion?

(I used to marvel that the Feeding Of The 5,000 came on the heels of the news of the murder of John The Baptist. If the above theory holds, that wasn’t an anomaly, it was an outgrowth.)

So, therefore, “sharing in Christ’s afflictions” is not done because Christ’s work was insufficient, but rather done so that our love might grow (and we might therefore become more Christ-like)?

just guessing at this point…

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

Saint Paul also said that no man harms his own flesh but cherishes and nurtures it.

Self-injury is dangerous and morally wrong. The average person can and should not achieve sainthood by deliberate self-damage.

Mortification in terms of ‘giving up’ or enduring is another thing altogether.

The Lives of the Saints and the Teaching Magisterium are good references for you.
Saint Paul and other writers of Sacred Scripture, have been interpreted for us already, on this and every other subject. We simply are not able to pontificate without the guidance of the Church, since we lack the insight, depth and authority to do so on our own.

 

[Sailor_Kenshin]

I just learned that I have a saintly virtue! Lies and affronts to the human spirit make me livid.

A priest said this on one of Mother Angelica’s shows.

He also went on to say that personal opinion and private revelation (EVEN by Saints, who may be either mistaken or mis-interpreted) are not the same as the teachings of the Magisterium and do not have the same weight.

And that you can not shoehorn yourself into sainthood by emulating some Saint. That these Saints had the Grace to do what they did, and that average people can do themselves more harm than good trying to live up to someone else’s standards. While we are all called to be saints, the road is not in imitation.

That said, where in the Magisterium does it say that a good, decent Catholic, living a good, decent life, is consigning himself to Hell because he neglected to wrap himself in barbed wire?

 

[Earnest_Bunbury]

That said, where in the Magisterium does it say that a good, decent Catholic, living a good, decent life, is consigning himself to Hell because he neglected to wrap himself in barbed wire?

It doesn’t… so go in peace.

 

[StillWondering]

Here is (possibly) another dimension to this: A book I was flipping thru suggests that Mental Health professionals enter the field motivated by their own woundedness. If this is a valid theory, can we by extension say that suffering is absolutely a pre-requisite for compassion?

(I used to marvel that the Feeding Of The 5,000 came on the heels of the news of the murder of John The Baptist. If the above theory holds, that wasn’t an anomaly, it was an outgrowth.)

So, therefore, “sharing in Christ’s afflictions” is not done because Christ’s work was insufficient, but rather done so that our love might grow (and we might therefore become more Christ-like)?

just guessing at this point…

Yeah, this is very interesting what you wrote.

I have mental difficulties myself and so gladly give advice to my friends and love ones from a perspective of hope. I would be a therapist if it is in the cards for me, but I have many other things going on. Because of my experience, I very much relate to this. In fact, every therapist I have befriended talks about their own serious dramatic event or mental problems. It gives them the insight and urge to help others. Not all therapists have this though, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the individual.

I really appreciate the view that we share in Christ’s affliction to grow in love. There is also this wonderful appreciate when we suffer in love and in Christ. This can be very profound and complicated, but also the very simple is great too.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

Yeah, this is very interesting what you wrote.

I have mental difficulties myself and so gladly give advice to my friends and love ones from a perspective of hope. I would be a therapist if it is in the cards for me, but I have many other things going on. Because of my experience, I very much relate to this. In fact, every therapist I have befriended talks about their own serious dramatic event or mental problems. It gives them the insight and urge to help others. Not all therapists have this though, which can be a good or bad thing depending on the individual.

I really appreciate the view that we share in Christ’s affliction to grow in love. There is also this wonderful appreciate when we suffer in love and in Christ. This can be very profound and complicated, but also the very simple is great too.

My hubby is a therapist that appreciates*** very much*** what you shared, and so do I. God bless you abundantly!

 

[Shin]

Here is (possibly) another dimension to this: A book I was flipping thru suggests that Mental Health professionals enter the field motivated by their own woundedness.

I believe this is quote true, from my own experience.

I think the best therapists are vessels of hope.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

I believe this is quote true, from my own experience.

I think the best therapists are vessels of hope.

May I suggest a book? Perhaps you’ve heard of it already…it’s called
Imago Dei Psychotherapy: A Catholic Conceptualization by Dr.G.C.Dilsaver
Restoring the’ Image of God’ (Imago Dei) through the pain and suffering that we experience in this life, is the “crux” of the therapy. Dr.Dilsaver has a practice in Harrisburg, PA.

 

[Shin]

May I suggest a book? Perhaps you’ve heard of it already…it’s called
Imago Dei Psychotherapy: A Catholic Conceptualization by Dr.G.C.Dilsaver
Restoring the’ Image of God’ (Imago Dei) through the pain and suffering that we experience in this life, is the “crux” of the therapy. Dr.Dilsaver has a practice in Harrisburg, PA.

Hmm, PA, I have family out there.

I -really- want this book, now that you mentioned it since it is one of my primary subjects of interest. Thank you for mentioning it. A lot.

Now that I’ve got Fr. Ripperger’s ‘Introduction to the Science of Mental Health’ I need a new psychological/Catholic tome to open and sort through.

So many books so little money. . .

 

[ez3714]

Hmm, PA, I have family out there.

I -really- want this book, now that you mentioned it since it is one of my primary subjects of interest. Thank you for mentioning it. A lot.

Now that I’ve got Fr. Ripperger’s ‘Introduction to the Science of Mental Health’ I need a new psychological/Catholic tome to open and sort through.

So many books so little money. . .

Wow. Great recommendations for books.

I think it needs to be pointed out that y’all are priceless.

Ok. Thread hijacking over. Where were we?

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

Wow. Great recommendations for books.

I think it needs to be pointed out that y’all are priceless.

Ok. Thread hijacking over. Where were we?

Bless you, too!

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

Hmm, PA, I have family out there.

I -really- want this book, now that you mentioned it since it is one of my primary subjects of interest. Thank you for mentioning it. A lot.

Now that I’ve got Fr. Ripperger’s ‘Introduction to the Science of Mental Health’ I need a new psychological/Catholic tome to open and sort through.

So many books so little money. . .

FYI…I should have mentioned that the publisher for** Imago Dei Psychotherapy** is Sapientia Press. I highly recommend it! Peace.

 

[StillWondering]

Wow. Great recommendations for books.

I think it needs to be pointed out that y’all are priceless.

Ok. Thread hijacking over. Where were we?

Hehe.

To me we have covered the thread and answer the question. The tread seems to boil down to: Yes, Catholics focus more on suffering than non Catholics, but we focus of the love, charity, and hope of suffering so that we may grow in love of God and our fellow man. There are other forms of suffering out there and if we or anyone focus on those without love then the suffering is painful and lacks meaning.

 

[Gabriella_San_S]

Hehe.

To me we have covered the thread and answer the question. The tread seems to boil down to: Yes, Catholics focus more on suffering than non Catholics, but we focus of the love, charity, and hope of suffering so that we may grow in love of God and our fellow man. There are other forms of suffering out there and if we or anyone focus on those without love then the suffering is painful and lacks meaning.

As Catholics, our ‘focus’ on suffering seems to boil down to St.Paul’s singular boast,
" I preach Christ, and Him crucified, the** power** of God and the** wisdom** of God…"…we must be passionate for the Passion and Death of our** Holy Savior** who accomplished for us the work of Redemption through His Cross, which is the greatest act of Love the world has ever known.
Therefore, brethren, let us take up*** our cross*** and follow Him…(*“for up until now, we have done nothing.” Saint Francis of Assisi *)