Section 4: THE PASCHAL MYSTERY AND YOUR LIFE

Section 4, Part 2: SUFFERING AND THE PASCHAL MYSTERY

Introduction o Suffering is the first step & an essential part of the Paschal Mystery (especially in the narrow sense) o Emotional, physical, & spiritual pain are an inevitable part of being human o Strangely humans seek to avoid or escape or ignore suffering o The Paschal Mystery invites us to face, accept, & triumph over suffering o Good News: Jesus transforms suffering into a redemptive path to heaven o Suffering is an opportunity to participate in Christ’s saving work o Three articles o (A. 38) – Making Sense of Suffering o (A. 39) – Is Accepting Suffering a Sign of Weakness o (A. 40) – Finding Strength in Times of Suffering

Article 38: Making Sense of Suffering o Paradox of pain & suffering: Good God & Good People o Book of Job helps us make sense of this paradox of suffering o Perspective of Job’s friends vs. Job himself o Finite human minds cannot understand the mystery of God’s plan including suffering o But not completely incomprehensible either—Paschal Mystery opens door to understanding o Keys to comprehension o Not original plan but came in with Original Sin o Incarnation reveals that suffering is redemptive—sacrifice = suffering freely accepted o Participation in Christ’s 1 NT sacrifice; not many OT animal sacrifices o A way to fulfill our priestly munera received in Baptism o Wonderful example of Christian faith, hope, & charity—theological virtues

Article 38 cont.: Making Sense of Suffering o *Practical examples of participating in Christ’s one redemptive sacrifice o Personal & other’s sickness & pain; popularity for truth, beauty, & goodness; money, time, & talent; conservation at personal cost; evangelization; sexuality;… others that speak to you… o As always, need prayer, Sacraments, self-reflection to accomplish in today’s world o Suffering in the Bible—Job, 2 Maccabees, Isaiah, Matthew, John, 2 Corinthians, 1 Peter, … (chart in A. 38)

You Tube Videos: Making Sense of Suffering Fr. Barron: Stephen Fry, Job, & Suffering What Causes Pain & Suffering

Homework o Read A. 39 in the Paschal Mystery e-book for discussion tomorrow o Section 4, Part 2 review questions #’s 1-3

Article 39: Is Accepting Suffering a Sign of Weakness o Karl Marx & Communistic Socialism o Not only do we try to avoid suffering but accepting it is seen as a sign of weakness o An age old question (1 Cor. 1: 18ff.)—the crucifixion of Jesus for Jews & Gentiles o Does it take more strength & courage to accept or avoid suffering? Where is the waste? o The example of Jesus especially in his last days—Garden of Gethsemane o Also during his entire life—preaching on the lost sheep, prodigal son & love of enemies; poor & simple life; challenged the rich to help the poor o “We have to love until its hurts. True love causes pain” --Mother Teresa-- o Anything worthwhile requires courage & sacrifice

Article 39 cont.: Is Accepting Suffering a Sign of Weakness o Courage & sacrifice not enough; must be for truth, goodness, & beauty—Kingdom of God o Ex. of George Eastman—intense pain from spinal disorder; “My work is done, why wait” o Ex. of Robin Williams—dementia & Parkinson’s diseases o “Athletes sacrifice for a crown that withers, how much more should we for one that does not?” --St. Paul— o Damien (of Molokai) de Veuster ( )--“Apostle to lepers” o Born in Belgium; ordained; missionary to Hawaiian islands; volunteered for Molokai leper colony o Wretched conditions when arrived; transformed through pastor, counselor, builder, & undertaker o Contracted leprosy after 12 years; upset at first but accepted later; help quadrupled o Canonized in 2009 by Benedict XVI; patron saint of lepers & people with HIV/AIDS o St. John Paull II—Parkinson’s

You Tube Videos: Is Suffering Weakness The Life of Father Damien de Veuster The Illness of St. John Paul II

Homework o Read A. 40 in the Paschal Mystery e-book for discussion tomorrow o Section 4, Part 2 review question # 4

Article 40: Finding Strength in Times of Suffering o Knowing that suffering makes sense & is not a sign of weakness helps but it is still difficult o Strength must come from God which builds upon some natural keys from Church tradition o We do not suffer alone—suffer with Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit o The Church, especially as the Body of Christ, is a sacrament of this solidarity o The Gift of the Holy Spirit & cardinal virtue (human) of fortitude along with prudence, justice, & temperance o Piety, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, Wisdom, Piety, Understanding, Counsel, Knowledge, Wisdom, Fortitude (Courage), Fear of the Lord (Wonder & Awe) o Suffering is not the end of the story—resurrection to eternal life

Article 40 cont.: Finding Strength in Times of Suffering o Christians are not masochists however o Suffering is part of being human & always will be but we should try to diminish it o Suffering has a way of breaking down our radical independence o Ex. of Hurricane Ike in 2008 in Houston o St. Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-July, ) o Lost her parents young to small pox; partially blind & disfigured; converted from Algonquin & Mohawk by Jesuit missionaries; persecuted by her own tribe; exiled to Montreal 200 miles from Auriesville, NY; virgin; died at 24; first Native American saint

You Tube Videos: Strength in Suffering The Cardinal Virtue of Fortitude St. Kateri Tekakwitha: Flower of Fortitude

Homework o Section 4, Part 2 review questions #’s 5-6 o Study for the Section 4, Part 2 quiz Monday (AA ) o Make sure the Section 4, Part 2 review questions #’s 1-6 are ready to turn in Monday