what doe the Church teach about suffering and how do we offer our suffering for Christ? i read a short essay on the topic but it left me confused. maybe i didn’t read it close enough, but i do need help on the subject. thanks.
The human condition intrinsically contains suffering - we cannot escape it in some form,.directly and indirectly. Jesus, through His Life, Passion and Death entered completely and totally into our human condition and suffering in that human condition. The unfolding circumstances, cause and effect, of Jesus’ human life led to crucifixion - just as our unfolding circumstances, cause and effect, can lead to suffering and for some great suffering. We are baptized into the Death and Resurrection of Jesus…hence in the state of Grace our sufferings are united to the Passion. We can, of course, consciously unite our sufferings to those of Christ which is a very holy amd meritorious offering. The Cross of Christ and suffering is intrinsic to our vocation: St. Paul - “we make up in our own bodies what was lacking in the Sufferings of Christ”…an astounding thought, that we are called to complete the Passion of Christ. Our sufferings are made holy and redemptive. “take up your cross daily and come follow Me” and the following of Christ will lead to some sort of suffering somewhere somehow. The very fact that a text on suffering has caused you confusion is a type of suffering brought about through trying to follow Christ and trying to understand something i.e. suffering.
I trust that may help a little. Perhpas if you could quote areas of the text that caused confusion it may be easier to address things…Blessings - Barb
I suggest another short read. The book can be obtained from TAN. It is titled “Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence” by Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure S.J. , originally published in 1961.
I suggest another short read. The book can be obtained from TAN. It is titled “Trustful Surrender to Divine Providence” by Father Jean Baptiste Saint-Jure S.J. , originally published in 1961.
I can thank you for the above too:thumbsup: . I wanted a book to go with Frank Sheed’s “Theology and Sanity” for Lenten reading (my copy of Theology and Sanity lent out at some stage long ago and not returned)…will order Trustful Surrender from Pauline Media today via email - the title and author immediately ‘spoke’ to me. “Abandonment to Divine Providence” by Jean Pierre de Caussade is a long time bedside table resting favourite of mine. Thank you…Blessings - Barb
what doe the Church teach about suffering and how do we offer our suffering for Christ? i read a short essay on the topic but it left me confused. maybe i didn’t read it close enough, but i do need help on the subject. thanks.
Dear xmydreamsfadex,
Pope John-Paul II wrote an apostolic letter “Salvifici Doloris”,Feb.,11,1984.On the meaning of human suffering.I read this with my Dad a few years ago,it was very helpful to us both.I would recommend it .You print it right off the web at Papal Encyclclicals com.I hope that’s helpful.
DISCLAIMER: Catholic Answers has turned over the archive to Catholic-Questions.org and no longer owns, manages, or moderates the forums. For additional apologetics resources please visit www.catholic.com.
