Suffering: The Catholic View

[Bubba_Switzler]

I was having a discussion with a friend recently about the Catholic view of suffering. Not being a theologian, I had difficulty putting my finger on it exactly. But here is the gist:

It is my impression that Catholicism takes a different (I would say, more mature) view of human suffering than Protestantism. Protestantism generally takes the view that suffering is bad (even evil), and that it must be avoided/prevented at all costs. (Which sets up the “problem of evil”.)

Catholicism, on the other hand, regards suffering as part of the human experience, just as Christ suffered for our sins. Suffering is not ipso facto evil (e.g. we spank children to teach them right from wrong or we exercise to stay healthy or martyrdom).

However, this may be more a cultural than a theological matter. Perhaps it is simply that Catholics have developed a different cultural attitude toward suffering.

I’d appreciate any guidance on this issue.

 

[davidv]

I was having a discussion with a friend recently about the Catholic view of suffering. Not being a theologian, I had difficulty putting my finger on it exactly. But here is the gist:

It is my impression that Catholicism takes a different (I would say, more mature) view of human suffering than Protestantism. Protestantism generally takes the view that suffering is bad (even evil), and that it must be avoided/prevented at all costs. (Which sets up the “problem of evil”.)

Catholicism, on the other hand, regards suffering as part of the human experience, just as Christ suffered for our sins. Suffering is not ipso facto evil (e.g. we spank children to teach them right from wrong or we exercise to stay healthy or martyrdom).

However, this may be more a cultural than a theological matter. Perhaps it is simply that Catholics have developed a different cultural attitude toward suffering.

I’d appreciate any guidance on this issue.

I would highly recommend that you read the Apostolic Letter, Salvifici Doloris, here.

 

[prodigalson12]

You are correct on Protestantism’s, perspective, where one must always be sunshine and smiles or there is something really wrong with your spiritual life. It didn’t start out that way, but in today’s times, it’s about making sure you fit in with the status quo and remain within the trendy mentality.

On the other side of this though, too often we are misrepresented as being always somber, especially during mass, and in fact, it’s usually quite the opposite.

 

[Bubba_Switzler]

I would highly recommend that you read the Apostolic Letter, Salvifici Doloris, here.

Thanks for the pointer. That was exactly what I was looking for on the Catholic side. I have only started reading it but it does seem to explain my vague impression.

You are correct on Protestantism’s, perspective, where one must always be sunshine and smiles or there is something really wrong with your spiritual life. It didn’t start out that way, but in today’s times, it’s about making sure you fit in with the status quo and remain within the trendy mentality.

Your description brings to mind the theology of Calvin which argues that if you are among th elect you will be blessed by God (and of more modern versions including the so-called gospel of prosperity). I recall the “puppy dog smile” of protestant Bible thumpers in college.

This does seem like a partial answer but it doesn’t explain the Protestant moral urge to prevent all forms of suffering (e.g. to ban spanking). While some of this can be laid at the feet of modern materialism (it’s natural to avoid suffering and to feel empathy for the suffering of others), I suspect that there is more involved at a theological level.

On the other side of this though, too often we are misrepresented as being always somber, especially during mass, and in fact, it’s usually quite the opposite.

Well, I’m not sure mainstream Protstants are much better there for the most part.

 

[Monte1945]

This does seem like a partial answer but it doesn’t explain the Protestant moral urge to prevent all forms of suffering (e.g. to ban spanking). While some of this can be laid at the feet of modern materialism (it’s natural to avoid suffering and to feel empathy for the suffering of others), I suspect that there is more involved at a theological level.
Well, I’m not sure mainstream Protstants are much better there for the most part.

In regards to one aspect of your question I think one of the avenues you might enter into would be a very careful study or meditation on this one scripture which seems to
point to what some would call a mystery of "suffering’ from a christian point of view:

Col 1

24 It makes me happy to be suffering for you now, and in my own body to make up all the hardships that still have to be undergone by Christ for the sake of his body, the Church

It can say… that the church (mystical body of christ) here and now, will suffer now
and it is suffering that Christ left unsuffered for the body the church…

It is of some Catholic views that we can offer our sufferings up for the church…

There were two sides of doctrine in the Jewish faith…one side believed in a life
after this life and the other side did not. The side which did not believe in an
after life, felt that the only reward of their faith was for them to have all the
things in life which was good… and no or little suffering… if they had discomforts
or any kind of problem in their lives or families… they felt it was because there
was some sin in the family members and they went through great ordeal of
cleansing… etc…

There are many non-catholic churces today, which also believe that… many of
your Pentecostal churchs feel that way… (my grandmother was a very serious
one) and when ever anyone of our family had a bit of bad luck. she went about
searching for who was sinning… etc…

I think in order for you to get a good view of this, you would have to get in touch
with a bunch of different of churches… and ask them…

I can well remember my grandmother looking at me very seriously… she felt
that as Catholic I was the cause of many of our family’s problems… smile.