APOSTOLIC LETTER - JOHN PAUL II SALVIFICI DOLORIS ON THE CHRISTIAN MEANING OF HUMAN SUFFERING READ Paragraphs #28 through #31 . . . LINK . . . Summery Notes: · The parable of the Good Samaritan belongs to the
Gospel of suffering. For it indicates what the relationship of each of us must
be towards our suffering neighbour. · A Good Samaritan is one who brings help in suffering, whatever its nature may be. · Following the parable of the Gospel, we could say that suffering, which is present under so many different forms in our human world, is also present in order to unleash love in the human person, that unselfish gift of one's "I" on behalf of other people, especially those who suffer. · How much there is of "the Good Samaritan" in the profession of the doctor, or the nurse, or others similar! · The eloquence of the parable of the Good Samaritan, and of the whole Gospel, is especially this: every individual must feel as if called personally to bear witness to love in suffering. · Finally, this parable, through its essential content, will enter into those disturbing words of the Final Judgment, noted by Matthew in his Gospel: "Come, O blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was in prison and you came to me" · Christ said: "You did it to me". He himself is the one who in each individual experiences love; he himself is the one who receives help, when this is given to every suffering person without exception. ·
This is the meaning of suffering, which is truly
supernatural and at the same time human. It is supernatural because it is
rooted in the divine mystery of the Redemption of the world, and it is likewise
deeply human, because in it the person discovers himself, his own humanity, his
own dignity, his own mission. For Reflection: · Consider how many of our first hospitals, elderly residences, hospices, nursing homes began as the work of various religious communities of the Church. · At this very time we are marking one year since the declaration of a worldwide pandemic of Covid-19. How are you perceiving it: a chastisement from God; a result of human error; the natural course of nature? · Among believers there are a number of false and misleading interpretations being put forward concerning the religious significance of this pandemic. That is why adhering closely to the discernment of the magisterium of the Church is so vital today. · Has this time of suffering drawn you more deeply into the redemptive suffering of Christ's passion and cross? · Do you foresee this time of suffering drawing people back to the practice of their faith? · Continue in the remaining days of Lent to revisit this profound teaching by Pope John Paul II on the Christian meaning of suffering. |
This series of posts is a journey in prayer through the days of Lent and Holy Week using the Ignatian Approach to Contemplation | |||||
HolyWeek 2 | |||||
“He never lost his serenity. Why? Because before him he always had the purpose of life. Today, many people no longer believe in that purpose. That’s why they live through pain with despair, because they can’t see beyond the pain,” said Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica speaking in 2005 about Pope John Paul II. My take on this? Define God's purpose for your life and focus your thoughts and actions on it. This will allow you to "see beyond the pain."
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