23 March 2014

Msgr. Pope on Suffering as a Remedy

“When asked, most people identify their most serious problems as issues related to their physical health, or finances. Family and career issues also rank up there.

But frankly, our biggest problem is pride, and all the sins that flow from it. Nothing is more serious than our sins, which can destroy us forever. Worldly problems are temporary. The worst they can do is to make life unpleasant, or kill us; then we get to go home and meet God if are faithful.

“Therefore, to God our most serious problem is our sin. This was well-illustrated when, at one point in the Gospels, a paralyzed man was presented to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ Yes, that’s right, Jesus looked at a paralyzed man and saw his sins as the most serious thing to be dealt with first.

“We don’t think like this. And even when taught that we ought to think like this, we still don’t think like this.”

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on, if we open ourselves to God’s grace, the effect our suffering may have on our pride.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Msgr. Charles Pope: On Suffering as A Remedy for Something Worse. A Meditation on a Teaching from St. Augustine (18 MAR 14)

No comments:

Post a Comment