In verdant pastures he gives me repose - Psalm 23:2
If God is all-powerful, why has He not done more to stop the suffering going on in our world, in our bodies or even in our own souls? God can bring a greater good out of anything. Yes, suffering came into the world through man's sin, but God can and will bring a Resurrection out of these sufferings. But does this theological answer always satisfy our aching hearts? To me, this answer is good, but it seems a bit impersonal at times, in that, God can seem a bit too detached from my suffering and the suffering of my loved ones.
I remember one day I was praying in a chapel and struggling with the question of why God allows me to suffer. I remember kneeling and looking down in pain, and I asked God "why couldn't you have done more to prevent this;" at that moment, I felt that something told me to look up and when I did, I saw the chapel's crucifix. In seeing Jesus dead on the cross, I realized that God has done everything for me, to the point of Jesus giving all of himself for me on the cross, till the last drop of blood.
Have I asked Jesus why He has allowed me to suffer my worst sufferings?
Let us pray for the souls in Purgatory today, that they may be released to heaven where they will rest free from suffering forever in heaven with Jesus.
Reflection by:
Austin Smith
Did you know...
Austin Smith is a seminarian in his first year at St. John Vianney Seminary in Miami. His home parish is Nativity in Brandon.
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