Does your cross "count" if it is self-imposed?

[HeWillProvide]

does the cross you carry “count” if it is self-imposed, like drug addiction, eating disorder, or any other hardship we bring upon ourselves? It’s not something that just “happened” to you, but is a result of your own sinfulness?

 

[Neophyte_Rose]

suffering is the direct result of sin.

in a way, all of our crosses are ‘self-imposed’, partially, and also we are helped into our crosses by others (example, E.D.s may be the result of a child experiencing neglect or rejection by her family and peers).

there are only two people whose crosses could not have been a result of their own personal sins in any way, and those people are Jesus and Mary - because they, of course, had no sin. But they did suffer for our sins.

I am not sure what you mean by ‘count’.

If you mean, can the difficulty of giving up a drug addiction count as purgation - and ultimately a form of sanctification - for a person’s soul, then I would think that would be a given.

Could you please explain some more what you mean by your question?

Pax Christi,
Esther Rose

 

[St_Gabriel]

suffering is the direct result of sin.

in a way, all of our crosses are ‘self-imposed’, partially, and also we are helped into our crosses by others (example, E.D.s may be the result of a child experiencing neglect or rejection by her family and peers).

I disagree. Some crosses like illness are there from birth. They are not a result of sin.

 

[St_Gabriel]

I disagree. Some crosses like illness are there from birth. They are not a result of sin.

John 9:1-3
1 And Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth: 2 And his disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? 3 Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

 

[MarcoPolo]

If you are genuinely “working out” sin from your life, whether due to your concupiscence or not, that suffering can be offered up. Also, combine that with the command that we should “fast.” That is self-imposed, yet fruitful.

 

[HeWillProvide]

When I say “count,” I mean, can you unite that suffering with Jesus even though you are bringing it on yourself? Or is God like, Okay, don’t claim you are suffering when you have brought it on yourself. Versus say, someone who is suffering from hunger in Africa or religious persecution in China.

 

[MarcoPolo]

When I say “count,” I mean, can you unite that suffering with Jesus even though you are bringing it on yourself? Or is God like, Okay, don’t claim you are suffering when you have brought it on yourself. Versus say, someone who is suffering from hunger in Africa or religious persecution in China.

If you are sinning out of weakness, I think your struggle in fighting that still counts, including any consequences that may have resulted. Sinning in and of itself does not unite you with Christ’s suffering. That’s what I was trying to say.

Catechism #2648 does not seem to make a distinction as long as the person is genuine. Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter for thanksgiving which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one’s whole life: “Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thess 5:18).

CCC# 385 expounds on suffering which are linked to our “limitations” and moral evils.

 

[blessedtoo]

When I say “count,” I mean, can you unite that suffering with Jesus even though you are bringing it on yourself? Or is God like, Okay, don’t claim you are suffering when you have brought it on yourself. Versus say, someone who is suffering from hunger in Africa or religious persecution in China.

Chances are if one is an active addict, they are not “uniting” their suffering with Jesus. Most likely, they are wallowing in self-pity, as this is the primary characteristic of addiction.

However, one who has climbed out from the darkness of active addiction certainly can offer the sacrifice to God and unite with Him through His grace as recovery progresses.

 

[blessedtoo]

I disagree. Some crosses like illness are there from birth. They are not a result of sin.

If we have a correct understanding of fallen human nature and OS, we can conclude that all human weaknessess, whether they are physical, mental, emotional or spiritual disabilities, have resulted from this.

John 9:1-3
1 And Jesus passing by, saw a man, who was blind from his birth: 2 And his disciples asked him: Rabbi, who hath sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? 3 Jesus answered: Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

While the parents themselves could not be blamed as individuals for the disability of the son, our collective fall from grace through OS certainly can. Man, as originally created by God, was not meant to suffer as we do now. Yet since we do indeed suffer so visibly, God in His great mercy and love, can bring forth greatness and beauty from even the most desperate human conditions.

 

[St_Gabriel]

If we have a correct understanding of fallen human nature and OS, we can conclude that all human weaknessess, whether they are physical, mental, emotional or spiritual disabilities, have resulted from this.

While the parents themselves could not be blamed as individuals for the disability of the son, our collective fall from grace through OS certainly can. Man, as originally created by God, was not meant to suffer as we do now. Yet since we do indeed suffer so visibly, God in His great mercy and love, can bring forth greatness and beauty from even the most desperate human conditions.

Good point. Illness is a consequence of original sin. (Not sure if this is what Neo had in mind.)

From the catechism
1505 Moved by so much suffering Christ not only allows himself to be touched by the sick, but he makes their miseries his own: “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”.112 But he did not heal all the sick. His healings were signs of the coming of the Kingdom of God. They announced a more radical healing: the victory over sin and death through his Passover. On the cross Christ took upon himself the whole weight of evil and took away the “sin of the world,”.113 of which illness is only a consequence. By his passion and death on the cross Christ has given a new meaning to suffering: it can henceforth configure us to him and unite us with his redemptive Passion.

 

[goofyjim]

does the cross you carry “count” if it is self-imposed, like drug addiction, eating disorder, or any other hardship we bring upon ourselves? It’s not something that just “happened” to you, but is a result of your own sinfulness?

Since when did any of these become selfimposed? We don’t know what causes any of them to start. The drug addiction may start off by someone trying to escape a cruel parent and then once it is an addiction it is hard to break. And eating disorders are found to be genetic in nature. Choose carefully before assuming these are self imposed crosses. Yes they count.