Christian Understanding
The starting point for the Christian understanding of suffering is the messianic self-understanding of Jesus himself. A temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in the late Jewish promise of the coming of the Messiah–Son of man. The Gospel According to Matthew described the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness as a temptation to worldly power. Jesus himself deeply disappointed his disciples’ notions aiming at power and exaltation, in that he taught them, in accordance with Isaiah, chapter 53: “The Son of man will suffer many things.” In Jesus’ announcements of suffering the Christian understanding of suffering is clearly expressed: suffering is not the final aim and end in itself in the realization of human destiny; it is the gateway to resurrection, to rebirth, to new creation. This idea receives its clarification from the Christian understanding of sin. Sin as the misuse of human freedom has led humans into total opposition against God. Turning to God can therefore take place only when the results of this rebellion are overcome in all levels of human being, all the way to physical corporeality.
In the early church the sign of the cross was not considered a glorification of suffering but a “sign of victory” (tropaion) in the sense of the ancient triumphal sign that was set up at the place where the victorious turning point of the battle took place. The cross was likewise considered the “dread of the demons,” since as a victory sign it struck terror into the hitherto ruling demonic powers of the world. An ancient church hymn of the cross spoke of the “cross of the beauty of the Kingdom of God.” The emperor Constantine, following his vision of a cross in the heavens, fastened to the standards of the imperial legions the cross, which was considered the victory sign for the community of Christians hitherto persecuted by the Roman Empire, and elevated it to a token of military triumph over the legions of his pagan foes that were assembled under the sign of the old gods.
In the Christian understanding, suffering also does not appear—as in Buddhism—as suffering simply under the general conditions of human existence in this world; it is instead coupled with the specifically Christian idea of the imitation of Christ. Individual Christians are called to follow the example of Christ; incorporation into the body of Christ is granted to those who are ready to carry out within themselves Christ’s destiny of suffering, death, and resurrection. The early church’s characterization of the Christian was that of Christophoros—“bearer of Christ.” Suffering was an unalterable principle in the great drama of freedom, which was identical with the drama of redemption.
Hebrews 7:26
Verse Concepts
For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens;
Acts 4:27
Verse Concepts
For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel,
2 Corinthians 5:21
Verse Concepts
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Hebrews 4:15
Verse Concepts
For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
1 Peter 1:19
Verse Concepts
but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ.
Luke 1:35
Verse Concepts
The angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.
1 Corinthians 1:30
Verse Concepts
But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
Acts 4:30
Verse Concepts
while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
Mark 1:24
Verse Concepts
saying, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Luke 4:34
Verse Concepts
“Let us alone! What business do we have with each other, Jesus of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
1 John 2:20
Verse Concepts
But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
Power of Divine Mercy
A relatively young priest is in a hospital visiting some of his parishioners. He is walking down the hallway, and a nun stops him and says, “Father, can you go into this room? There’s a man on his deathbed. He’s been here for days. We’ve asked priests to go in, but he chases everyone away. He doesn’t want to talk about Jesus. But he’s dying. Could you please visit him?”
The priest goes in and introduces himself to the patient. The guy erupts and starts cursing at him. He is so angry: “I don’t want anything to do with you. Get out of here!”
The priest says, “Okay” and goes out into the hall.
The nun is still there. She says, “Could you go back in?”
The priest replies, “He doesn’t want anything I have to offer.”
“Just give it another chance,” pleads the nun.
The priest reluctantly reenters the room. “I’m not going to ask if you want to go to confession. I’m not going to ask if you want Holy Communion. But is it okay if I just sit here next to your bed and pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy?”
The old man replies, “I don’t care. Do whatever you want.”
The priest sits down and begins softly praying the words of the Chaplet: “For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world. For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world….”
Suddenly the man bursts out, “Stop it!”
Startled, the priest looks up and asks, “Why?”
“Because there is no mercy for me!”
“Why do you think there is no mercy for you?” asks the priest.
“It doesn’t matter,” responds the old man.
But the priest persists: “Why do you think there is no mercy for you?”
“I’ll tell you… Twenty-five years ago, I was working for the railroad. My job was to lower the crossing guard arm when a train would come to prevent cars from going on the tracks. But one night I was drunk. I didn’t lower the crossing guard arm, and a couple and their three young children were on the tracks as a train came, and they were all instantly killed. That was my fault. So there is no mercy for me. I have failed. It is over.”
The priest just sits there staring at the rosary in his hands. Finally he asks, “Where was this?”
The man tells him the name of the Polish town.
The priest looks up and says, “Twenty-five years ago, my mom and my dad were taking my little siblings on a trip. I couldn’t go with them. They were driving through this small town. For some reason the railroad crossing guard arm wasn’t lowered. As they were crossing the tracks, a train came and killed them all. I lost my whole family that night.” The priest gazes intently into the man’s face, and he says, “My brother, God forgives you. Not only that, I forgive you.”
The man realizes that God’s mercy is for him.
The priest asks, “Would you let me hear your confession and give you the Eucharist?”
The man makes his confession and receives Holy Communion. Two days later he dies. Mercy wins. His failure is not final.
The story goes on. It’s kind of cool. After giving the man Communion, the priest goes into the hallway in search of the nun. He can’t find her. The administration tells him, “We don’t employ any nuns at this hospital.”
For years the priest does not know who this nun is. Eventually he goes to the town of Vilnius, which is where Saint Faustina lived. He goes to the convent to say Mass for the nuns there. He sees a painting on the wall of Saint Faustina, and he says, “I’ve met that nun a couple of years ago.”
“No, Father, you did not,” replies one of the nuns. “She’s been dead since 1938.”
The priest then realizes it was Sister Faustina who told him to go into the patient’s room, told him to go back again into that room.
Failure is not final. Not when it comes to Jesus.
Jesus, is no longer dead. He is risen, and He is ruling over His creation using His almighty power to direct everything in the world to get you safely to that eternal life. So Good Morning n have a peaceful day!!!....
Peace be with you. Amen
God bless us
Stay safe
Today's Promise:
O Lord, You hear the desire of the afflicted; You will strengthen their heart; You will incline Your ear. Psalm 10:17
Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for adding another day in our life.
Lord, let our plans and purposes to be fulfilled by us, be aligned with Your Word and reflect the desire of Your will for us.
Lord, cast away the pride and haughty spirit from us. Give us the Spirit that is humble and lowly. May we trust in You alone and exercise prudence while handling any situation.
Lord, there is no good besides You. May we, “agree with You", and be at peace; thereby good will come to us..
Lord, incline Your ear towards our prayer and strengthen us to yield the full fruition of the purpose You have for us, to Your prasie and glory.
In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.
A Small Morning Family Prayer:
When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7
Sometimes it's a great feeling being a stepping stone to others. They will use you, make their wish fulfilled, and in between will pretend to love you. In the end, they will say that they were immature enough to take any decision and ask for your forgiveness. Don't feel sad if you come across such a situation. It is God who made you an instrument to help someone. Be happy for this reason only. Simply forgive them and love them dearly without any expectation.
When I touch a leper and dress his wounds I feel the grace of God! I am grateful to the sisters of Jesu Ashram (Gloria, Paulina, Nilima, Sashi, and others).
Every morning the patients of the leprosy ward greet me ' Jai Jesu Brother !', I feel the peace of Christ. This is how I am carrying my Cross, and one day my Lord will surely hear my prayer. Now I realise the importance of two great persons whom I admire the most...Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa.
A Beautiful Realisation...
Today while talking with the patients in the leprosy ward of Jesu Ashram I met an old man with one leg. He has no one in this wide world. Since 1993 he stays here. No wife, no son, no daughter. He remains quite and often cries. He lost everything because of leprosy but has no complaints! He loves God and thats all for him! The last sentence he told me changed my perceptions: "Brother, here you are my father, mother, son, daughter, everything. "
Remember, Sin cannot be destroyed, it can only die in the love of God. It died in Jesus's heart, it continues to die in the heart of his disciples.
So friends, accept Christ in your life and enjoy life everlasting in Heaven!
God bless you!
My loneliness and apparent isolation in a 'strange place' bring to my mind a few lines:
"Yes! in the sea of life enisled,
With echoing straits between us thrown,
Dotting the shoreless watery wild,
We mortal millions live alone."
( Matthew Arnold)
"Here, where men sit and hear each other groan;
Where palsy shakes a few, sad, last grey hairs,
Where youth grows pale, and specter-thin, and dies;
Where but to think is to be full of sorrow
And leaden-eyed despairs;
Where beauty cannot keep her lustrous eyes,
Or new Love pine at them beyond tomorrow."
--- Keats
Dear in Christ! Dear Lord;----
I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way.
I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood.
I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You.
I pray for those who don't know You intimately.
I pray for those that will only read this and not speak this aloud in their own lives.
I pray for those that will delete this without sharing it with others.
I pray for those that don't believe, please touch their hearts so that they may believe.
I believe that a righteous prayer changes people and that You can change all things.
I pray for all my sisters and brothers who are suffering and hurting, where ever they may be.
I pray for each and every family member and everyone in their household.
I pray for peace, love, and joy in their homes, so that they may receive your support in their struggles of life and that all their needs are met.
This I seek and pray for in Jesus' Mighty name. Amen….Be Blessed.
"These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs
With a soft inland murmur. Once again
Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,
That on a wild secluded scene impress
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect
The landscape with the quiet of the sky,"
Once a king asked his friend: "Can you bring to me a man who is the poorest and the luckiest at the same time?". His friend said "Yes, I can", and brought a beggar before the king. The king understood that the beggar was the poorest but failed to understand why the beggar was also the luckiest. His friend replied: " He is the luckiest because being a beggar he is before you, the king, inside the palace". The king realised that at the same time the richest can be the most unfortunate!
In the blink of an eye,
everything can change.
So forgive often,
and love with all your heart!
Think Positive Power
"When God at first made man,
Having a glass of blessings standing by,
“Let us,” said he, “pour on him all we can.
Let the world’s riches, which dispersèd lie,
Contract into a span.”
So strength first made away;
Then beauty flowed, then wisdom, honour, pleasure.
When almost all was out, God made a stay,
Perceiving that, alone of all his treasure,
Rest in the bottom lay.
“For if I should,” said he,
“Bestow this jewel also on my creature,
He would adore my gifts instead of me,
And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature;
So both should losers be.
“Yet let him keep the rest,
But keep them with repining restlessness;
Let him be rich and weary, that at least,
If goodness lead him not, yet weariness
May toss him to my breast.”
---- Pulley, George Herbert. (17th Century Metaphysical Poet)
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Pope Francis to parents: Never condemn a child
Vatican City, Jan 26, 2022 / 03:35 am
Pope Francis urged parents on Wednesday never to condemn their children.
At his Jan. 26 general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, the pope encouraged parents to turn to St. Joseph for help, including those whose children are of “different sexual orientations.”
He said: “I am thinking at this moment of so many people who are crushed by the weight of life and can no longer hope or pray. May St. Joseph help them to open themselves to dialogue with God in order to find light, strength, and peace.”
Speaking off the cuff, he added: “And I am thinking, too, of parents in the face of their children’s problems: Children with many illnesses, children who are sick, even with permanent maladies — how much pain is there! — parents who see different sexual orientations in their children; how to deal with this and accompany their children and not hide in an attitude of condemnation.”
“Parents who see their children leaving because of an illness, and also — even sadder, we read about it every day in the newspapers — children who get into mischief and end up in a car accident. Parents who see their children not progressing in school and don’t know how... So many parental problems. Let’s think about it: how to help them.”
“And to these parents I say: don’t be scared. Yes, there is pain. A lot. But think of the Lord, think about how Joseph solved the problems and ask Joseph to help you. Never condemn a child.”
The pope dedicated his live-streamed general audience to “St. Joseph, a man who ‘dreams,’” in the ninth installment in his cycle of catechesis on Jesus’ foster father, which he launched in November 2021.
He emphasized the saint’s sensitivity to dreams, which he said were “considered a means by which God revealed himself” in biblical times.
“Joseph demonstrates that he knows how to cultivate the necessary silence and, above all, how to make the right decisions before the Word that the Lord addresses to him inwardly,” he said.
The pope recounted the four dreams of St. Joseph described in the Gospel of Matthew. In the first, an angel told the saint not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife.
“Life often puts us in situations that we do not understand and that seem to have no solution,” he said.
“Praying in these moments — this means letting the Lord show us the right thing to do. In fact, very often it is prayer that gives us the intuition of the way out.”
“Dear brothers and sisters, the Lord never allows a problem to arise without also giving us the help we need to deal with it.”
In the second dream, Joseph grasped that the Infant Jesus was in danger and the Holy Family needed to flee to Egypt.
“In life we all experience dangers that threaten our existence or the existence of those we love,” the pope reflected. “In these situations, praying means listening to the voice that can give us the same courage as Joseph, to face difficulties without succumbing.”
In the third dream, St. Joseph heard that it was safe to return home and, in the fourth, that he should settle in Nazareth, away from Archelaus, the son of Herod.
“Fear is also part of life and it too needs our prayer,” the pope commented. “God does not promise us that we will never have fear, but that, with His help, it will not be the criterion for our decisions. Joseph experiences fear, but God also guides him through it. The power of prayer brings light into situations of darkness.”
The pope underlined that prayer was an active practice, always connected to charity.
“Prayer, however, is never an abstract or purely internal gesture, like these spiritualist movements that are more gnostic than Christian. No, it’s not that,” he said.
“Prayer is always inextricably linked to charity. It is only when we combine prayer with love, the love for children in the cases I just mentioned, or the love for our neighbour, that we are able to understand the Lord’s messages.”
“Joseph prayed, worked, and loved — three beautiful things for parents: to pray, to work, and to love — and because of this he always received what he needed to face life’s trials. Let us entrust ourselves to him and to his intercession.”
After the address, a precis of the pope’s catechesis was read out in seven languages and he greeted members of each language group.
Speaking to English-speaking Catholics, he highlighted the day for prayer for peace in Ukraine on Jan. 26, which he announced at last Sunday’s Angelus.
He said: “I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s audience, particularly those from the United States of America. Today, I especially ask you to join in praying for peace in Ukraine. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy and peace. God bless you!”
The pope also highlighted International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed on Jan. 27.
He said: “It is necessary to remember the extermination of millions of Jews, and people of different nationalities and religious faiths. This unspeakable cruelty must never be repeated.”
“I appeal to everyone, especially educators and families, to foster in the new generations an awareness of the horror of this black page of history. It must not be forgotten, so that we can build a future where human dignity is no longer trampled underfoot.”
The pope told pilgrims that he was unable to move among them at the end of the audience because of a temporary “problem with my right leg.”
He said: “A ligament in my knee is inflamed. But I will come down and greet you there [at the foot of the stage] and you will be able to pass by to say hello. It’s a passing thing.”
With a smile, the 85-year-old added: “They say this only comes to old people, and I don’t know why it has come to me, but... I don’t know.”
Pope Francis has suffered from sciatica for many years. He spoke about it shortly after his election in 2013, saying it was “very painful” and “I don’t wish it on anyone.”
He suffered a resurgence of the condition at the end of 2020 and start of 2021, which forced him to cancel public appearances.
The pope ended his general audience address by reciting a prayer:
St. Joseph, a man who dreams, teach us to recover the spiritual life
as the inner place where God manifests Himself and saves us.
Remove from us the thought that praying is useless;
help each one of us to correspond to what the Lord shows us.
May our reasoning be illuminated by the light of the Spirit,
our hearts encouraged by His strength
and our fears saved by His mercy. Amen.