Does God smite people?

[Thepeug]

Does God smite people? According to Catholic thought, one suffers temporal punishment for his sins, even if they are forgiven, either here or in purgatory. Catholics often point to the fact that God killed King David’s son even though he forgave him for his adultery. I used to worry that if I sinned, God would make me fail a test in school, or make my mom sick (she used to have cancer), or something along those lines. My Episcopalian pastor said that this is B.S. and that bad things happen to us because we live in a Fallen world. God is there to help us through the bad times. Would Catholics agree with this perspective?

In Christ,

Chris

 

[Carrie_Andrews]

I believe He smites! I don’t think its with strikes us down, more like a soft shove in the right direction. If you aren’t being smote now and then, you probably need to look at deepening your relationship with God. I love when Jim Carey says “Smite me oh mighty smiter”. Thats a pretty good movie.

 

[ncgolf]

God is perfect love. Everything God does for us is good leads us closer to Him. To us, however it may not look so good. Read some biographies of saints. Many suffered greatly on earth with illness, scorn, ridicule but because of their closer relationship with God they could see that it worked for the good of all, even themselves. The only punishment that in the long run really matters is the loss of God which is hell.

So God may smite you but not because you disappoint Him but because He loves you.

Hope this helps.

 

[space_ghost]

I don’t know…

 

[OraProNobis]

Thepeug:

Catholics often point to the fact that God killed King David’s son even though he forgave him for his adultery.

Yes, but bad things sometimes happen to good people.

Luke 13
4. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and killed them, think ye that they were offenders above all the men that dwell in Jerusalem?
5. I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

In other words, when the tower of Siloam fell and killed the workmen, it was an accident, not a jugement of God. But the same type of “accident” can also befall the unrepentant.

Luke 13
6. And he spake this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came seeking fruit thereon, and found none.
7. And he said unto the vinedresser, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why doth it also cumber the ground?
8. And he answering saith unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it:
9. and if it bear fruit thenceforth, well; but if not, thou shalt cut it down.

In other words, punishment does not always bear fruit. Sometimes it just takes some TLC, a little digging and some dung (fertilizer), to bear fruit.

Yes, the Lord is a “smiter,” but he’s also very merciful and patient.

 

[Thepeug]

ncgolf:

God is perfect love. Everything God does for us is good leads us closer to Him. To us, however it may not look so good. Read some biographies of saints. Many suffered greatly on earth with illness, scorn, ridicule but because of their closer relationship with God they could see that it worked for the good of all, even themselves. The only punishment that in the long run really matters is the loss of God which is hell.

So God may smite you but not because you disappoint Him but because He loves you.

Hope this helps.

ncgolf,

I like this idea. I think the best person to address such a question to (so I can get an official answer) is a priest. Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts.

God bless,

Chris