Yes, I agree with you. I hate to suffer, to have problems etc. However, I try to practice what Fr Pavonka, president of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, teaches. Praise and thank God for sufferings, because as St Paul said ,"All things work together for good for those who love God"; because we trust the Lord to take care of us and once "wedded to grace" I am open to learn from and "grow in the knowledge and love of God"!
I too, Father, disagree with your friend's comment. I am sure she meant well and was trying to show emthathy. However, the truth is Jesus had many lesser sorrows, sufferings and problems in His life as we do. His suffering culminated in the greatest suffering and sacrifice of anyone, His crucifixtion and death. But in His life time Jesus experienced all we do and more. It anyone questions this they should read all of Isaiah's suffering servant passages. The Scripture passage that Jesus suffered once and for all does not mean He only suffered one time in His whole life, and all the rest of His life was peaches and cream. It means His final, ultimate suffering completed all He endured to save us!
Suffering happens whether we like it or not: and we need to cooperate with grace when it is happening; but, grace is received apart from suffering; and, suffering is not necessary for grace to remain in us. Peace, joy, and love are fruits of the Spirit. They are not fruits of suffering. We follow Jesus when His Spirit is within us because He can then guide us. Adam and Eve did not suffer prior to the fall; nevertheless, they had a connection with God prior to the fall.
Yes, I agree with you. I hate to suffer, to have problems etc. However, I try to practice what Fr Pavonka, president of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, teaches. Praise and thank God for sufferings, because as St Paul said ,"All things work together for good for those who love God"; because we trust the Lord to take care of us and once "wedded to grace" I am open to learn from and "grow in the knowledge and love of God"!
I too, Father, disagree with your friend's comment. I am sure she meant well and was trying to show emthathy. However, the truth is Jesus had many lesser sorrows, sufferings and problems in His life as we do. His suffering culminated in the greatest suffering and sacrifice of anyone, His crucifixtion and death. But in His life time Jesus experienced all we do and more. It anyone questions this they should read all of Isaiah's suffering servant passages. The Scripture passage that Jesus suffered once and for all does not mean He only suffered one time in His whole life, and all the rest of His life was peaches and cream. It means His final, ultimate suffering completed all He endured to save us!
Suffering happens whether we like it or not: and we need to cooperate with grace when it is happening; but, grace is received apart from suffering; and, suffering is not necessary for grace to remain in us. Peace, joy, and love are fruits of the Spirit. They are not fruits of suffering. We follow Jesus when His Spirit is within us because He can then guide us. Adam and Eve did not suffer prior to the fall; nevertheless, they had a connection with God prior to the fall.