Scripturelink Encyclopedia » Christianity

Suffering

stlazareth — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:59:11 +0000

Definition

State of consistent, or noticeable pain or discomfort, generally caused by one or several causes.
to suffer- to be in pain or discomfort.
The process whereby one goes through emotional, physical or spiritual angish, pain, discomfort, or disease.
The channel of God’s communication, methods, and love- whereby he gains our attention as to our fallen state.

Problem of pain

C.S. Lewis believed that suffering, while in his opinion an “evil”, was designed to be a warning system, whereby the unbeliever and believer alike realize their unfortunate separation from the perfection of God.

Caring pain - Marc Aupiais

Grace could allow suffering to aid salvation. This makes suffering an act of Love, whereby what seems infinite and unbearable, and horrid, is in fact, in truth- not a harm, yet like medicine, a benefit to the spiritual, a birthing of eternal happiness, and the extension of the voice of truth.

It also allows us to understand better the love of God, best understood by those who themselves have suffered. Many of the saints (if not all) became so Holy in their meditation of the pain and suffering of their predecessors, or of the Lord, Father- God- Yahweh, we see it firmly in the form of the Child- Jesus. Sadly, (I have had to edit out this spelling error, or whatever it is, and have changed this so that I must clarify): Only Jesus suffered physically, but all of God: suffered in some way, in witnessing Christ on the cross. After All, Christ says: My God, My God: why have you abandoned me, therefor, we know that it is Jesus who suffered, and the three are definitely separate persons. (I am sorry for the hopefully unclear sentence, which could be read as though heresy, I have tried to clarify it,: that in fact, the three are different persons, as I do believe, It is Jesus who suffered physically on the cross, even as God likely suffered “emotionally”, or perhaps in a spiritual way: as only Jesus took the human form.)

Marc Aupiais- Suffering

Suffering and pain are not contrary to the goodness of the Almighty, yet intrinsic to his nature. These are present yet but that his love involves suffering, as love is in nature both suffering and long-suffering. The ultimate act of love is an act of sacrifice. The ancients, whose God did not need food, understood that sacrifice was a sign of love, in that love gives of self. In est, it could be said that yet suffering exists, yet that created being may aid his fellow creation, who is in lesser circumstance than him, and thereby mimic the nature of God, giving of self, or of domain, that another may have comort, relief, or the hope of a gesture. Suffering is the ultimate act of love, and should always be dedicated either to God or others.

Of notice to the child of God as to suffering

Suffering- This nature of God, who is love is best shown in the adversity, and pain endured by Christ, and demanded of all Christians, especially via Stations of The Cross, which demands that the Catholic receives every such challenge as a sacrifice he is to dedicate to his creator, or the goodness of his fellows, so far as it is unpreventable, and as love demands on conscience.

Good suffering

“Suffering” often prevents greater harm, even eternal harm, and is necessary to salvaion- creating love, and often allowing grater harm to be avoided, or allowing grave harm to be stopped.

Self mortification, as demanded of Christians, even after Vatican II, on Fridays- sometimes still takes the form of a fast, such as not eating meat, or shellfish on Friday (as is demanded by some bishops in their diocese). It is purposeful, and beneficial, as personal suffering in some forms, becomes a personal sacrifice to God, and edifies the Christian salvation.

Harm of inadequate cure

It is not true that suffering is to only be cured in the body- rather- it always has further purpose, whether circumstantial, or pertaining to salvation itself with venial or grave dangers. Evil people, however their evil is used, and all things are used by our God for good in the end, are still punished, and should be punished, because the good of God does not excuse their harm.

John Paul, on suffering notes

“In fact, over the course of the centuries the Church has felt strongly that service to the sick and suffering is an integral part of her mission, and not only has she encouraged among Christians the blossoming of various works of mercy, but she has also established many religious institutions within her with the specific aim to fostering, organizing, improving and increasing help to the sick Missionaries, on their part, in carrying out the work of evangelization have constantly combined the preaching of the Good News with the help and care of the sick.” http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_11021985_dolentium-hominum_en.html (John Paul II)

Bible on suffering

Suffering is considered a reward, so far as it is not deserved by stupidity or sin(I Peter chapter II verse 18 – 25), for which He sometimes also gives it (Hebrews 11, I corinthins chapters 10, 11). Evil people may avoid suffering here, but are paid for it in another life. Even purgatory shows this vitalness of suffering (see Job 24)

Suffering is a devine mission, so far as it is beneficial, and Godly. It is the centre of Christian salvation, and meditation, in that wisely chosen, or devinely ordained Godly suffering brings salvation (Isaiah 53). This does not mean that the Christian should accept any suffering, but only some suffering.

Catechism on suffering

“1499 “By the sacred anointing of the sick and the prayer of the priests the whole Church commends those who are ill to the suffering and glorified Lord, that he may raise them up and save them. And indeed she exhorts them to contribute to the good of the People of God by freely uniting themselves to the Passion and death of Christ.”⁹⁷ “

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c2a5.htm

“516 Christ’s whole earthly life – his words and deeds, his silences and sufferings, indeed his manner of being and speaking – is Revelation of the Father. Jesus can say: “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father“, and the Father can say: “This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!”¹⁷⁷ Because our Lord became man in order to do his Father’s will, even the least characteristics of his mysteries manifest “God’s love. . . among us”.¹⁷⁸ … 518 Christ’s whole life is a mystery of recapitulation. All Jesus did, said and suffered had for its aim restoring fallen man to his original vocation:”

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1L.HTM

“1500 Illness and suffering have always been among the gravest problems confronted in human life. In illness, man experiences his powerlessness, his limitations, and his finitude. Every illness can make us glimpse death.

1501 Illness can lead to anguish, self-absorption, sometimes even despair and revolt against God. It can also make a person more mature, helping him discern in his life what is not essential so that he can turn toward that which is. Very often illness provokes a search for God and a return to him.

The sick person before God

1502 The man of the Old Testament lives his sickness in the presence of God. It is before God that he laments his illness, and it is of God, Master of life and death, that he implores healing.⁹⁸ Illness becomes a way to conversion; God’s forgiveness initiates the healing.⁹⁹ It is the experience of Israel that illness is mysteriously linked to sin and evil, and that faithfulness to God according to his law restores life: “For I am the Lord, your healer.”¹⁰⁰ The prophet intuits that suffering can also have a redemptive meaning for the sins of others.¹⁰¹ Finally Isaiah announces that God will usher in a time for Zion when he will pardon every offense and heal every illness.¹⁰²

Christ the physician“

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P4K.HTM

Compendium

“

54. How did God create the universe?

295-301
317-320

God created the universe freely with wisdom and love. The world is not the result of any necessity, nor of blind fate, nor of chance. God created “out of nothing” (ex nihilo) (2 Maccabees 7:28) a world which is ordered and good and which he infinitely transcends. God preserves his creation in being and sustains it, giving it the capacity to act and leading it toward its fulfillment through his Son and the Holy Spirit.

55. What is divine providence?

302-306
321

Divine Providence consists in the dispositions with which God leads his creatures toward their ultimate end. God is the sovereign Master of his own plan. To carry it out, however, he also makes use of the cooperation of his creatures. For God grants his creatures the dignity of acting on their own and of being causes for each other.

56. How do we collaborate with divine Providence?

307-308
323

While respecting our freedom, God asks us to cooperate with him and gives us the ability to do so through actions, prayers and sufferings, thus awakening in us the desire “to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

57. If God is omnipotent and provident, why then does evil exist?

309-310
324, 400

To this question, as painful and mysterious as it is, only the whole of Christian faith can constitute a response. God is not in any way – directly or indirectly – the cause of evil. He illuminates the mystery of evil in his Son Jesus Christ who died and rose in order to vanquish that great moral evil, human sin, which is at the root of all other evils.

58. Why does God permit evil?

311-314
324

Faith gives us the certainty that God would not permit evil if he did not cause a good to come from that very evil. This was realized in a wondrous way by God in the death and resurrection of Christ. In fact, from the greatest of all moral evils (the murder of his Son) he has brought forth the greatest of all goods (the glorification of Christ and our redemption).”

http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Quotations on Suffering

“

The random massive destruction of a hurricane or earthquake can look meaningless. Worse, it can look monumentally unfair. Poverty has already wreaked havoc on the Caribbean Islands: Do they really need a hurricane on top of it?

But not only is this world not the only one that exists – suffering is a prerequisite for entrance into a far better world.

The Catholic faith uniquely understands the place of suffering in the human experience – and the divine experience.

Our church began with the crucifixion of its founder, grew during a time of persecution in which its most prominent members were martyred and now requires that each church feature a crucifix in its center and Stations of Cross along its walls.

When God asks us to suffer, he isn’t asking us for something he isn’t willing to do himself. In fact, we believe that God cared so much for our plight, he entered our world as one of us in order to transform our suffering into a pathway to a pain-free, eternal life.

This central truth of our faith transforms tragedies into hopeful occasions, all by itself, because it has the power to transform sudden death into eternal life.

Second: God brings good out of suffering even for the living. “

http://www.catholic.org/views/views_news.php?id=25125

”From the time of Adam and Eve, man has tried to escape suffering in any form. It is a mystery to all except the holy ones of God. The Prophets saw it as a call from God to repent. The Apostles saw it as “a happy privilege” to imitate Jesus. Pagans saw it as foolishness. Men of today see it as an evil and try to avoid it, but it follows them wherever they go… How many times have we implored God for some favor with great fervor, only to suffer the most crushing disappointment. Months or years later our hearts break out in prayers of thanksgiving when we look back and realize the acquisition of such a “favor” would have been disastrous!“

http://www.ewtn.com/library/mother/ma11e.htm

“There are many ways of serving God in our particular state of life. We mention some that are more general and apply to all walks of life. Among these services we can render are: time, talent, suffering, prayer, and material means. One of the most precious gifts God has given us is time. It is a gift that must be traded well. Our eternity may depend on how well it is used. It is a tool in our hands with which we carve the edifice in which we will live for all eternity.”

http://www.ewtn.com/library/mother/ma47.htm

(article on Godly sufferer- http://www.zenit.org/article-19582?l=english)

Humility

stlazareth — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 18:15:46 +0000

“We are told to accept heaven as children, not because we are to see ourself as less than we are, but because we are but children. We do not know where we are, or who we are, or right from wrong, or anything- until we realize that we know nothing above that of God’s voice. Children are humble, and seek truth- and try to obey their parents. We too must look into ourselves, and see our knowledge of ourselves nothing before God, that we may hear, and obey, as though we had never heard before. We however, must see our reliance, and not blind ourselves to truth, or accept anything another says, for wisdom to God, is our version of foolishness. Ultimately, the humble man is the man who sees himself as he is, and knowing such- obeys God, his superior, reflecting always, and using the sacraments to put to death his other, evil man!” Marc Aupiais

-Marc Aupiais

Definition

Of low birth, conditions, circumstance, or value.
Lowliness, of little worth, or submissive.
To place one’s self in his true place, recognizing his own inadequacy, and foolishness, and seeking to gain truer knowledge, and above that wisdom, that he may better obey God, in his low position, which truly is low.

Humility (See Psalm 18)

Humility is vital to uplifting oneself before God. God aids those, who know their place and act according to it. Humility is an action of the beatitudes, whereby one realizes, not only his lack of self-gained objects and things, but also that his life is not defined by his possessions,

neither that of popularity, which belonged to Jesus with the same crowd who crucified him,

nor with his wealth, which cannot save him, and is subject to change with the season, and disappear with thieves, rust, age, or the whims of fate and natural disasters,

nor only with his own good habits (Psalm 18 verse 32), and virtue, which is given by God, and can be taken away, and are worthless without Charity (Christian word for love as in I Corinthians 13),

nor with knowledge, or shrewdness, which can be taken away, or turn out to be less than perceptions,
nor with his physical appearance, which can age, be the subject of damage, or change, or perhaps is not a great as one thinks it to be, or perhaps is greater,

nor with good reputation- the gift of society to the false prophets and enemies of God,

nor with his family and friendships, or livestock, or the achievements of his life, all can be taken, and achievements can become worthless, or disgraced in different societies.

Rather- the humble man does not compare himself with others, but rather with holiness, and aims purely of heart- that he may become holy as God is holy, and humbles himself, no longer competing for endless trivia, but rather empty of any thought of self reliance, in such a way that he relies utterly on God, aiming for the things of God, and focusing on what is best for both self and neighbor, but firstly for the aims of God. The Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is one of humility, and honest, self denying truth.

This does not give a man the right to no longer work, for he must work, both for self and for God, and to give to those who are in need. This does not entitle a man to degrade himself, or his church, rather- false humility is sin. Rather- it is the utter readjustment of the conscience, in such a way that one values that in heaven over that on earth. The greatest in heaven serves all.

Catechism of the Catholic Church on humility

“2729 The habitual difficulty in prayer is distraction. It can affect words and their meaning in vocal prayer; it can concern, more profoundly, him to whom we are praying, in vocal prayer (liturgical or personal), meditation, and contemplative prayer. To set about hunting down distractions would be to fall into their trap, when all that is necessary is to turn back to our heart: for a distraction reveals to us what we are attached to, and this humble awareness before the Lord should awaken our preferential love for him and lead us resolutely to offer him our heart to be purified. Therein lies the battle, the choice of which master to serve.¹⁶“

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P9Q.HTM

“2778 This power of the Spirit who introduces us to the Lord’s Prayer is expressed in the liturgies of East and of West by the beautiful, characteristically Christian expression: parrhesia, straightforward simplicity, filial trust, joyous assurance, humble boldness, the certainty of being loved.” http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p4s2a2.htm

“2742 “Pray constantly . . . always and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.”³³ St. Paul adds, “Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance making supplication for all the saints.”³⁴ For “we have not been commanded to work, to keep watch and to fast constantly, but it has been laid down that we are to pray without ceasing.”³⁵ This tireless fervor can come only from love. Against our dullness and laziness, the battle of prayer is that of humble, trusting, and persevering love. This love opens our hearts to three enlightening and life-giving facts of faith about prayer.”

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P9S.HTM

“489 Throughout the Old Covenant the mission of many holy women prepared for that of Mary. At the very beginning there was Eve; despite her disobedience, she receives the promise of a posterity that will be victorious over the evil one, as well as the promise that she will be the mother of all the living.¹²⁸ By virtue of this promise, Sarah conceives a son in spite of her old age.¹²⁹ Against all human expectation God chooses those who were considered powerless and weak to show forth his faithfulness to his promises: Hannah, the mother of Samuel; Deborah; Ruth; Judith and Esther; and many other women.¹³⁰ Mary “stands out among the poor and humble of the Lord, who confidently hope for and receive salvation from him. After a long period of waiting the times are fulfilled in her, the exalted Daughter of Sion, and the new plan of salvation is established.”¹³¹“

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1K.HTM

“1218 Since the beginning of the world, water, so humble and wonderful a creature, has been the source of life and fruitfulness. Sacred Scripture sees it as “oveshadowed” by the Spirit of God:¹²“

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3I.HTM
Catechism of the Catholic Church- Compendium

“573. Are there objections to prayer?

2726-2728
2752-2753

Along with erroneous notions of prayer, many think they do not have the time to pray or that praying is useless. Those who pray can be discouraged in the face of difficulties and apparent lack of success. Humility, trust and perseverance are necessary to overcome these obstacles.” http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

Bible on humility

“It is right that the brother in humble circumstances should glory in being lifted up,

¹⁰and the rich in being brought low. For the rich will last no longer than the wild flower;” James Chapter 1, verse 10 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=57

“⁹Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ” Gospel according to Matthew Chapter 11 verse 9 (New Jerusalem Bible

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=11

“^2:3Seek Yahweh, all you humble of the land, who have kept his ordinances. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden in the day of Yahweh’s anger. ” Zephaniah Chapter 2, verse 3 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=36&bible_chapter=2

“^8:21Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek of him a straight way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance. “Book of Ezra, Chapter 8 verse 21 (new Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=15&bible_chapter=8

“¹⁶Give the same consideration to all others alike. Pay no regard to social standing, but meet humble people on their own terms. Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom. “Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans Chapter 12 verse 16 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=45&bible_chapter=12

“⁵Say to the daughter of Zion: Look, your king is approaching, humble and riding on a donkey and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.” (about Jesus) Gospel According to Matthew, chapter 21, verse 5 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=40&bible_chapter=21

“¹I urge you by the gentleness and forbearance of Christ-this is Paul now speaking personally-I, the one who is so humble when he is facing you but full of boldness at a distance. ” 2nd Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians, Chapter 10, verse 1 (New Jerusalem Bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=47&bible_chapter=10

“²⁷you save a people that is humble
and humiliate those with haughty looks.”

Psalm 18, verse 27 (New Jerusalem bible)

http://www.catholic.org/bible/book.php?id=19&bible_chapter=18

Quotes on humility

“”In keeping with this,” continued the Pontiff, “sin is seen as a wound that penance alone can heal.”

“A man that has been injured in battle,” says Aphraates, “is not ashamed to put himself in the hands of a doctor. … Equally so, he who has been injured by Satan should not be ashamed to admit his fault and to distance himself from it, asking for the medicine of penance.”

Benedict XVI said that Aphraates also wrote that “Christian life is centered on the imitation of Christ, taking up his yoke, following him on the path of the Gospel,” and that humility is the main virtue of a disciple.

“It is not a secondary consideration in the spiritual life of a Christian,” said the Pope. “By remaining humble, even in his earthly surroundings, a Christian can establish a relationship with the Lord.”

“God is attracted to the man who loves, it is right to love humility and to stay humble,” the Holy Father said, quoting Aphraates. “Humble individuals are simple, patient, loving, honest, righteous, experts in what is good, prudent, serene, wise, calm, peaceful, merciful, ready to convert, benevolent, profound, thoughtful, beautiful and attractive.”

http://www.zenit.org/rssenglish-21071

“It is true that at times Jesus became powerful, he worked great miracles but he feared that people would see in him the Powerful One who does great things instead of the One who seeks to give Communion. So Jesus becomes little, he is humble and this because we admire the powerful, but we love the little ones, the child, the person who is weak, fragile. So for me Jesus is the One who becomes little, he is God who becomes little, who hides in the poor, the humble, the weak, the dying, the sick; because all these people who are particularly fragile are longing for love and I see this as the mystery of Jesus and that Jesus is love. Just as God is Love. Jesus is Love. Jesus knelt down in front of his disciples, he washed the feet of his disciples saying: «I must give you an example so that you will do what I am doing». So I think the world is waiting for a saviour who is little and humble and who comes to give love. «Come to me all you who are weary and I will give you my rest, because I am meek and humble of heart». I think that the whole mystery of Jesus is contained in these words: «I bend over him like a font of mercy» because all he wants is to love, to give his heart and all that He asks of us is to offer our hearts, and to receive this mystery of God’s love, the presence of Jesus. So for me Jesus is the One who is meek and humble of heart, who hides in the poor and who says, as we read in the Book of Prophets: «My son, give me your heart».“

http://www.vatican.va/jubilee_2000/magazine/documents/ju_mag_01071997_p-19_en.html

“I know the new Pope personally. I have had the honor of meeting him several times over the years in Rome. He is a very humble, personable man, quite different from the hard-line “enforcer” image which is often portrayed of him.”

http://www.zenit.org/article-12786?l=english

“St. Bernard defines it: “A virtue by which a man knowing himself as he truly is, abases himself.” ” http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07543b.htm

Resources Used

Vatican site

Catechism of the Catholic Church

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p4s2a2.htm

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P9S.HTM

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P1K.HTM

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P9Q.HTM

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_P3I.HTM

Catechism of the Catholic Church- Compendium

http://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html