Suffering

[God Is Love]

I have heaps of friends that say:
1. If God loved us why do people suffer?
2. Why do good people suffer?
3. Why does suffering exist?
4. Anything else about suffering

thankyou
In Jesus and Mary
God Bless
Joyce Zeitouni :)

[MelanieM]

Your so cute Joyce! God bless you too!

[DavidObeid]

Hi Joyce,

Suffering is a difficult thing to understand. The Catechism of the Catholic Church gives a bit of a surprising answer to the question of suffering and evil. In a nutshell, it says that the answer to suffering is the whole Catholic religion.

In other words, there isn't a simple response to the question. However, I suggest that you say to your friends that:

1. Everything has a meaning or a purpose, suffering included.
2. The purpose of suffering is one of the most profound mysteries of all.
3. The Church suggests that the answer is in the Person of Jesus Christ - in ALL that He said and did.

Then invite them to examine what, how and why Christ suffered and apply it to a particular evil they have in mind when they pose their question. The contemplation of Christ comes first, then the answer to the problem of evil. Not the other way.

[Matthew]

Just listened to this talk:

http://www.faithontap.org.au/Audio/DavidChilnicean_Talk.mp3

One of the best discussions on suffering by a young Catholic I've heard.

[God Is Love]

thanxs david :)
God BLess you

[OneFaith]

Romans 8: 17-18.
I love this verse.
I show it to Protestants when they ask us "Why do you fast?, Why do you offer up sufferings, why do you do this and that?"

[DavidObeid]

1Corinthians 9:24-27 gives a similar message:


Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

[OneFaith]

"I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified". Is St Paul talking about himself here?

[DavidObeid]

Yes. St. Paul is speaking about himself.

[OneFaith]

Then that throws the "once saved always saved" statement out the window for Protestants. We all believe that St Paul has accepted Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior right? So that, in the Protestant eyes means he has been saved right? Then why is he saying that he's got to train his body and push it for fear that after preaching he himself may be castaway. I thought you can't lose your salvation. LOL

[DavidObeid]

Right. Why don't you start a new thread about the issue of "once saved always saved"?

[God Is Love]

Some more help please.... I have a friend who is Catholic ( not practicing ) and no matter how i approach this topic or explain it to him, he doesnt get it... I feel like he doesnt have the Faith to believe and to trust in God....
What should i do?
God BLess
Joyce z

[DavidObeid]

Some more help please.... I have a friend who is Catholic ( not practicing ) and no matter how i approach this topic or explain it to him, he doesnt get it... I feel like he doesnt have the Faith to believe and to trust in God....
What should i do?
God BLess
Joyce z

Try this:

1. Point out that nothing happens without a reason (if he baulks at this, point out that science is premised on this exact notion).

2. Point out that suffering is a thing, and therefore must happen for a reason.

3. Then ask him what that reason is.

4. If he says he does not know, then tell him that the Church does. If he gives any reason that basically boils down to it happens for no reason, remind him of point 1.

If he gives any other answer get back to me.