WHEN I'M ON A LONG JOURNEY BY ALL MEANS I HAVE TO STOP AND THIS FOR SEVERAL REASONS ESPECIALLY THOSE MOST NATURAL, BUT WE DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE OF COURSE WE NEED MIRACLES ESPECIALLY IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST, AMEN. THANKS GBU. JOE.
I was struggling last night with this very question of suffering as my father is in ICU suffering from a massive stroke. And then this shows up on my phone... I really needed to hear these things as I start my day. Thank you.
+Wendy Anzaldua I know strokes -- family full of them. My heart pinged when I saw your post. Reach out..and grab my hug. :-) I hope he's better today? You be his strength. He'll see it in your eyes.... Be strong!
Loved this teaching Bishop. I had the awesome privilege of having Christy Beam speak at our parish and our Catholic high school. A most holy and humble woman.
Great points, Your Excellency! Indeed our suffering joins with that of Christ. Suffering does call forth the love and compassion of others, but also softens the sufferer. I sometimes tell people who are heartbroken to give themselves the gift of allowing their suffering to profoundly change them,, to let it open their hearts to the pain of the world. In this way, we extend the boundless love of Christ to others and to ourselves. How else could God ready our hearts for Him? If He eliminated suffering, we would remain as children waiting for Santa, choosing God not from the depths of our souls, but instead as a default choice. God isn't a drug. He doesn't take away our free will. Even as I say it--and I hate to say it--suffering is a gift, albeit a difficult one. Suffering and death are what give life on earth its meaning and urgency. Through suffering, we mature and reach for the Lord.
Plus, as a permanently disabled person with daily pain, we can, through prayer, offer our suffering to God, in unity with Jesus, for the remission of sin in ourselves and in others.
Well, this is life. Some have said that it's a school here, a learning experience, perhaps an opportunity to turn to God. The Catholic Church does not prevent science or medicine--perhaps back in Galileo's day, but certainly not now. We want the children you've identified to get well via science and medicine, if possible. It's not always possible, though, and so we turn to resources that sustain us through the downs AND ups. If you choose otherwise, that's fine. In so doing, I question why you must besmirch and name-call people of faith. Just make your choices and move on.
This is an old video, Bishop Barron, but I watched it at a moment in my life when I'm suffering immensely. There were some things I didn't want to hear (e.g., miracles are rare and therefore the miracle I'm asking for likely won't happen). And there were things that I needed to hear (e.g., suffering is a participation in the salvific suffering of the Lord). I had had this video on my "to watch" list for over a year now. I don't think it's a coincidence that I watched it precisely in this moment of my life. May the Lord bless you for your work, Bishop Barron. You are a secondary cause by whom the Lord effected some salve on my inner wounds.
“I understood that love comprises all vocations - that love is everything, and because it is eternal, embraces all times and places."😇St.Therese of Lisieux 🙏🏻4us
A miracle close to home has to do with my uncle, Ted Dubuque, who, in the 80's, almost died from contracting incurable hepatitis from a patient. A devout Catholic, he "promised God that if he recovered he would spend the rest of his life helping others." He did recover, made s trip to Haiti, and with the help of a businessman and friend, turned around the hospital there from a 6 bed, 1 Dr., 1 operating room facility into a 73 bed highly functional hospital. The CRUDEM (acronym for Center for the Rural Development of Haiti ), happily accepts volunteers. It was originally started in 1968 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. I am SO enjoying these talks by Bishop Barron, have seen a couple of them in the past, but now am really "into" them and would encourage others likewise.
...From this mini-sermon on suffering I have a totally different complete understanding on all the negative / suffering experienced from birth to this present. I had thought about this in these terms, in a sense, but never had a complete understanding of this other than "not again" what is to be learned this time or is it just to mess with me again! This truly spoke straight to my heart.
Thank you for the very insightful commentary Bishop Robert Barron. Will be praying for you so you can continue your works for the Lord and for the whole Catholic church and separated brethren. I liked, actually loved, Miracles in heaven movie. Especially the end part where the mother testified as to somewhat the ‘real miracles’ that happened, and one by one, the characters who helped them along the way were miracles unfolding. As per the mother, Miracles happened in the guise of the neighbors, friends, family, random strangers like the airline ticket who pulled the plug of his computer to let them check in as they ran out of credit balance. Not to say that the cute girl did not encounter Jesus per se, I’m sure she did, I believe she did. But I was touched by the movie’s thesis that it’s almost as if Jesus is saying “yeah, you dont have to look any farther and just appreciate all simple things in life’. The miracle that you’re looking for is right there. Then trust. Have faith that I am in control and whether or not you get healed, you’ve already received the healing because I will be with you till the end.” I’m so drawn to that theme that made me comment this long. But yeah, i loved the movie. And this just my little reflection on it. Sorry for my imperfect English, far from being a native speaker. I’m a Filipino. God bless us all. Praise be Jesus and Mary forever. Amen!
I've thought about my discussions about evil and suffering with skeptics and non-believers, and no matter what I say, profound and deep about the unity of God and man through the cross, healings, etc., they are never satisfied. They want something bigger than what is seen at Fatima and Lourdes. It reminds me of a quote from the novella "Notes from Underground," which I finally finished last year after having it for years (maybe that's a sign I need to read more), in which the unnamed narrator quips "Man is not stupid, he is ungrateful." Couldn't be more true when dealing with ANYBODY, regardless of their worldview.
I wanted to add two other "secondary causes" that I noted during the movie: Peace and hope from one child to another concerning God's love, care and hope which gave the child with cancer a view of God the loving Father. The second was the father of that child, who was so outraged at the exchange of spiritual hope, but after his daughter dies, comes to an awakening of God's love himself...amazing in all!
In today’s world humility is not acceptable, in an era where assertiveness and a desire to succeed in bettering yourselves, ahead of others, is deemed an admirable trait. Your loving Saviour Jesus Christ. d288
As the Buddha taught, we must learn to joyfully participate in the sorrows of life. Nietzsche said that spirituality happens when one finds gain where most will find destruction. Well, the answers to sorrow take a long time. I'll say that Fry's argument leads to and is despair. Religion (when read for the metaphor) shows the way (the way) out of despair. And if we follow this steep and narrow way though the darkness, we'll find a garden of light within. Dig?
I'd like to watch a review of the movie Am interview with God from you Bishop Barron. I found the movie to be very thought provoking and would love to hear your thoughts about it.
Crusade Prayer (52) “Prayer to the Father” “My dearest Father, in the Name of Your precious Son and in remembrance of His Passion on the Cross, I call out to You. You, God the Most High, Creator of the World and all that is, hold our Salvation in Your Holy Hands. Embrace all of Your children, including those who don’t know You and those who do, but look the other way. Forgive us our sin and save us from the persecution of Satan and his army. Take us into Your Arms and fill us with the hope we need to see the way of the Truth. Amen.” ;''gf';
The insights: -Miracles aren't rare in any 'special' meaning. They are as rare as statistics predict they are, givin no intervention from god. -The 'secondary cause' is just a way to (deliberately) make it indifferentiable to distinguish it from: humans attribute certain good things to a god'. -The 'problem of evil' is so often misquoted as 'an argument against god's existence'. It's an argument to show he is not 'good and loving' by any human understanding of the words, and that it remains therefor undemonstrated he is. It's an argument against worship of this god. -It's true that suffering brings love (sometimes, often, ..?). It does so regardless of god, for all people. It certainly does not get god 'off the hook' for chosing this as his method. Can't he, and is he not supposed to have done it, use more 'gentle ways'. Would we call any human 'good' that allowed (or inflicted?) suffering to promote love?
Bishop Barron, I'm a super fan of yours, find your videos and ministry in general very faith enriching. I find that you're a little dismissive here of the miracle part- that's the faith affirming core of the movie!
The Warning of Hell and the Promise of Paradise Saturday, November 13th, 2010 @ 03:00 Your Divine Saviour Jesus Christ thewarning-secondcoming dotcom 45mm
God takes credit for other people’s work. Why is it God only likes taking the glory in good things, but refuses to take credit for the bad things that happen. He’s in control but won’t accept people telling him he allows/causes evil.
At first, I thought my urge to respond was too late. But then I remembered that no matter how old we are or how long ago her death occurred, everyone misses their mom. I hope the happy memories of your parents help soften the loss of their physical presence on Earth. I hope you find peace in knowing that death isn't the End. I will be praying for you to Someone who loves His mother as much and you and I love ours.
Hey Father, i have a question regarding NDEs. What's your take on them? Because some NDE survivors would share a testimony that borderlines on the occult. Thank you and God bless.
Your Excellency, I have a question that you may be able to answer. Do you believe the Church must do eveything she can to establish more monasteries in America. I believe that society is reaching its limits since it turned from God. The monasteried would provide a place of learning the Faith and morals and academics. it would be sort of age of monasticism
Miracles are rare? Just comes to show how bland we make the world. I see any day, it's a miracle because how many are blind? I appreciate waking up every morning, because how many people died the night before, or are in a coma? I find it a miracle that I can eat, sleep in a bed in a house, because how many people don't have theses things? I think to say miracles are rare is showing a lack of gratitude for the blessings we have. This is something that both religious and atheists have.
Hey Father Barron, I had a question regarding your stances on a non literal Genesis, if Genesis is non literal and Adam and eve are non literal characters, why is there a genealogy tracing all the way back to Adam and Eve in the bible? I read Genesis non literally and I am hung up on this.
My faith is deeply affected. I've been praying for almost a decade now to see my mother's health restored and nothing good happens. I've taken her to doctors and she seems to continually get worst & worst, nothing helps and to be sincere i am wondering after 30 years of being catholic. Is there a God??... I get it, we all have to suffer and die, that is the order of things, but when a good human being suffers so much and God remains silent to your prayers, is that not a great act of cruelty? How can a merciful God remain silent to the tears of the victims of pain? Help me, cause i dont want to give up my faith but i have a hole in my heart and nothing seems to work, i am tired, sad and hopeless.
i have a serious doubt Bishop. In the bible it says that Jesus is coming to earth a second time.¿Does that mean that is there going to be a generation that actually doesnt experience death? or what happens there.
I don't think the problem of evil defeats God. It would, at most, just defeat the idea of a good God. I have a question though. I sometimes wonder why God (assuming he exists) would not just have everyone love him in eternal bliss. That sounds wonderful, so why wouldn't God do it? Makes sense, but then I get the response, "If God forced you to love him, then it wouldn't be true love." But I see an issue with that statement... Coming from the perspective of an atheist, I don't believe there's anything "more" than the physical universe. So we are all just chemical reactions, atoms bumping into each other. What sense is there in "freely" choosing anything? If you love someone because they exhibited some lovely traits, wouldn't that be "forcing" you to love them, because the reason you love them is due to your senses reacting to an action? I suppose my conundrum could be worded better here. Either love is caused by something, or it's not. If it's caused by something, then that is ultimately not a choice because it's being caused by something. If it's not being caused by something then there are no factors to why it happened, otherwise it would be caused by something. This is true randomness, so if it's random, there's also no choice in that. There's just no truly "free" choice in anything. I saw someone perform a good deed. This created a chemical reaction in my brain, producing many hormones that makes me feel happy and attracted to the deed and the person performing them. It's all reactions. And no, you can't avoid this by saying, "You can resist the reactions", because then you resisting the reaction is either caused by something, or it's random. And whatever caused that is either caused by another or is random. There's no "freedom" in this.
+Teak That really is quite the conundrum isn't it? From a purely materialistic/deterministic worldview, freedom seems to be a mere illusion. If that's the case, that all of our 'choices' are determined by the forces acting on us, then love naturally reduces to a feeling caused by chemicals in our brains. What Christianity instead offers is that existence is not matter alone, that humans have spiritual souls, one power of which is (free)will. Therefore, we can in many situations act as agents, making real choices. That's why Christians would more aptly define love as willing the good of the other, rather than a sentiment or chemical reaction. It means desiring and doing what is best for someone else, often at our own inconvenience and even suffering. Love is caused and not random, but it is 'caused' by the will. If free will exists and love really is a choice, then it does make a difference whether or not God lets us choose to love him. Hope this helps! -Peace (I enjoy your picture btw)
+Teak Yeah, I wonder about those questions too. Can obligatory faith be genuine? Is compulsory love an oxymoron? Do the churches claim to know more than they really know?
Christopher Moell A soul can work in its own framework, but I don't think the framework itself works. What I mean is, you can axiomatically claim anything, and in that axiom, it works perfectly, but the axiom itself might be nonsense. I can say that a square triangle can exist and not exist at the same time, and in that framework I've solved the problem of can a square triangle exist. BUT the axiom itself is nonsense, so I didn't solve anything. Basically, I don't know what a soul is, and it doesn't seem to answer my question, but thanks for the reply.
I agree.But I also agree more that God has given me the expections of his power to use for all as Christ did.Greater miracles will we do when we believe.Putting any limits on that teaching is just not going to work for me.Respectfully.
If there is no God Who is to say what is bad? We all have opinions and yours is no better than mine. So who gets to proclaim what is bad and what is good?
Since your indoctrination from early childhood (devout Catholic Barron family) you must look for some kind of explanation of the inexplicable. The extent that extreme suffering exists in the world provides stark evidence contradicting the claim that there is an all-loving, all powerful God overseeing life as we know it. David Hume in his treatise Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion posed the question, initially raised by the Greek philosopher Epicurus: “Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?”
No, God's existence can be rationally demonstrated. Once one is convinced that God exists, one is justified in looking for a reasonable way to square his existence with the fact of suffering. As to Hume's point, it is invalid. He overlooks the possibility that God permits certain evils in order to bring from them a greater good. This gets one off of the horns of the trilemma.
You state that "God's existence can be rationally demonstrated". As you have previously indicated, you rely upon Aquinas' contingency argument. I can understand its persuasiveness regarding postulating an intelligent entity as the initiator of everything. And I can see how you as a teenager, would be persuaded by that appeal to rationality (watched your Rubin Report discussion). But we have learned from scientific inquiry that human rationality is inadequate as a means to understanding so much about existence. The contingency argument is a "god of the gaps" argument since there is no verifiable evidence to substantiate it. In order to avoid the infinite regression dilemma posited by the "who created God" question, you must postulate some state that is outside time and space where this creator always was. Once again it is a hypothetical construct without any evidence. The only defense is to ask the question: how could it be anything else? I can't deny that there may be such a creative entity. But without any evidence, it is speculation without proof. Additionally, there is not a scintilla of evidence that this postulated, creative entity is focused on the well being of human beings. On the contrary, the available evidence contravenes the claim that such a benevolent creator exists. Speculating that God "permits certain evils in order to bring them a greater good" provides no insight into what possible good could come from millions of children suffering and dying every year before reaching age 5 from starvation and disease. That's just one example from so many episodes down through the ages of needless human suffering by innocent victims of natural disasters, epidemics, etc. Your answer provides no more insight than the traditional "God works in mysterious ways". I'm reminded of David Attenborough's comment: "I often get letters, quite frequently, from people who say how they like the programmes a lot (BBC documentary), but I never give credit to the almighty power that created nature. To which I reply and say, Well, it's funny that the people, when they say that this is evidence of the Almighty, always quote beautiful things. They always quote orchids and hummingbirds and butterflies and roses. But I always have to think too of a little boy sitting on the banks of a river in west Africa who has a worm boring through his eyeball, turning him blind before he's five years old. And I reply and say, Well, presumably the God you speak about created the worm as well, and now, I find that baffling to credit a merciful God with that action. And therefore it seems to me safer to show things that I know to be truth, truthful and factual, and allow people to make up their own minds about the moralities of this thing, or indeed the theology of this thing."
That's why i stop watching Christian movies made by Christian denomination the message was incomplete I was disappointed when I was the rapture movie...I loved watching Catholic movies liked the Passion of Christ it was real based only in the bible not adding information base on human mind!
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
As a nurse, I’ve seen many miracles. I believe many of God’s miracles happen quietly without the showmanship humans expect.
So true.
Thank you so much, Bishop Barron, for this thoughtful and very helpful reflection!
WHEN I'M ON A LONG JOURNEY BY ALL MEANS I HAVE TO STOP AND THIS FOR SEVERAL REASONS ESPECIALLY THOSE MOST NATURAL, BUT WE DOES NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE OF COURSE WE NEED MIRACLES ESPECIALLY IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST, AMEN. THANKS GBU. JOE.
I was struggling last night with this very question of suffering as my father is in ICU suffering from a massive stroke. And then this shows up on my phone... I really needed to hear these things as I start my day.
Thank you.
+Wendy Anzaldua God bless you and your father through these harsh times.
+L2084 thank you ♡
Amen! What a blessing for you.
+Wendy Anzaldua I know strokes -- family full of them. My heart pinged when I saw your post. Reach out..and grab my hug. :-) I hope he's better today? You be his strength. He'll see it in your eyes.... Be strong!
+Sunni Freyer thank you so much
Loved this teaching Bishop. I had the awesome privilege of having Christy Beam speak at our parish and our Catholic high school. A most holy and humble woman.
Good analysis. And I love your optimism Father. It is inspiring to hear your positivity in a world where it is easy to feel like hope is lost.
Great points, Your Excellency! Indeed our suffering joins with that of Christ. Suffering does call forth the love and compassion of others, but also softens the sufferer. I sometimes tell people who are heartbroken to give themselves the gift of allowing their suffering to profoundly change them,, to let it open their hearts to the pain of the world. In this way, we extend the boundless love of Christ to others and to ourselves. How else could God ready our hearts for Him? If He eliminated suffering, we would remain as children waiting for Santa, choosing God not from the depths of our souls, but instead as a default choice. God isn't a drug. He doesn't take away our free will. Even as I say it--and I hate to say it--suffering is a gift, albeit a difficult one. Suffering and death are what give life on earth its meaning and urgency. Through suffering, we mature and reach for the Lord.
Plus, as a permanently disabled person with daily pain, we can, through prayer, offer our suffering to God, in unity with Jesus, for the remission of sin in ourselves and in others.
John Collins Why are you listening here, John??? Simply to say things like "grow up" to people? Nice touch. Very convincing and respectful. . . right.
+ecosophist It is indeed terrible. I certainly don't have the answers.
Well, this is life. Some have said that it's a school here, a learning experience, perhaps an opportunity to turn to God. The Catholic Church does not prevent science or medicine--perhaps back in Galileo's day, but certainly not now. We want the children you've identified to get well via science and medicine, if possible. It's not always possible, though, and so we turn to resources that sustain us through the downs AND ups. If you choose otherwise, that's fine. In so doing, I question why you must besmirch and name-call people of faith. Just make your choices and move on.
BTW, I once held your position, John, so no hard feelings.
Bishop Barron, thank you for all that our LORD has given us through your videos. I hope and pray we run into each other IRL
This is an old video, Bishop Barron, but I watched it at a moment in my life when I'm suffering immensely. There were some things I didn't want to hear (e.g., miracles are rare and therefore the miracle I'm asking for likely won't happen). And there were things that I needed to hear (e.g., suffering is a participation in the salvific suffering of the Lord). I had had this video on my "to watch" list for over a year now. I don't think it's a coincidence that I watched it precisely in this moment of my life. May the Lord bless you for your work, Bishop Barron. You are a secondary cause by whom the Lord effected some salve on my inner wounds.
A lovely and satisfying answer to a deep question.
Was beautiful! 😇😇😇 Thank You so much Word on fire! And to all Priests!
“I understood that love comprises all vocations - that love is everything, and because it is eternal, embraces all times and places."😇St.Therese of Lisieux 🙏🏻4us
A miracle close to home has to do with my uncle, Ted Dubuque, who, in the 80's, almost died from contracting incurable hepatitis from a patient. A devout Catholic, he "promised God that if he recovered he would spend the rest of his life helping others." He did recover, made s trip to Haiti, and with the help of a businessman and friend, turned around the hospital there from a 6 bed, 1 Dr., 1 operating room facility into a 73 bed highly functional hospital. The CRUDEM (acronym for Center for the Rural Development of Haiti ), happily accepts volunteers. It was originally started in 1968 by the Brothers of the Sacred Heart. I am SO enjoying these talks by Bishop Barron, have seen a couple of them in the past, but now am really "into" them and would encourage others likewise.
Wow. Bishop Barron, you have helped me so much by your comments. Praise God
Thank you Bishop Barron!
Glory to God for all things +
Sister Vassa brought me here :)
...From this mini-sermon on suffering I have a totally different complete understanding on all the negative / suffering experienced from birth to this present. I had thought about this in these terms, in a sense, but never had a complete understanding of this other than "not again" what is to be learned this time or is it just to mess with me again! This truly spoke straight to my heart.
I have also struggled with this question of suffering. You helped shed light on this complex question.
Another great video bishop thank you so much , 🙏🏼
Thank you for the very insightful commentary Bishop Robert Barron. Will be praying for you so you can continue your works for the Lord and for the whole Catholic church and separated brethren.
I liked, actually loved, Miracles in heaven movie. Especially the end part where the mother testified as to somewhat the ‘real miracles’ that happened, and one by one, the characters who helped them along the way were miracles unfolding. As per the mother, Miracles happened in the guise of the neighbors, friends, family, random strangers like the airline ticket who pulled the plug of his computer to let them check in as they ran out of credit balance. Not to say that the cute girl did not encounter Jesus per se, I’m sure she did, I believe she did. But I was touched by the movie’s thesis that it’s almost as if Jesus is saying “yeah, you dont have to look any farther and just appreciate all simple things in life’. The miracle that you’re looking for is right there. Then trust. Have faith that I am in control and whether or not you get healed, you’ve already received the healing because I will be with you till the end.”
I’m so drawn to that theme that made me comment this long. But yeah, i loved the movie. And this just my little reflection on it.
Sorry for my imperfect English, far from being a native speaker. I’m a Filipino.
God bless us all. Praise be Jesus and Mary forever. Amen!
I'm happy derbez, the Mexican actor who portrays the doctor, is in the movie :)
Miracles is very rare
This video is wazz. Lowkey love you Fr. Barron keep up the rad vids brosauce. #ienjoyjesus
I've thought about my discussions about evil and suffering with skeptics and non-believers, and no matter what I say, profound and deep about the unity of God and man through the cross, healings, etc., they are never satisfied. They want something bigger than what is seen at Fatima and Lourdes. It reminds me of a quote from the novella "Notes from Underground," which I finally finished last year after having it for years (maybe that's a sign I need to read more), in which the unnamed narrator quips "Man is not stupid, he is ungrateful." Couldn't be more true when dealing with ANYBODY, regardless of their worldview.
ecosophist easy, sin
I wanted to add two other "secondary causes" that I noted during the movie: Peace and hope from one child to another concerning God's love, care and hope which gave the child with cancer a view of God the loving Father. The second was the father of that child, who was so outraged at the exchange of spiritual hope, but after his daughter dies, comes to an awakening of God's love himself...amazing in all!
Very thoughtful review for a movie that I, probably unreasonably, thought would be trite.
If God intervened to remove all adversity in life we would have no story. Without a story we are nothing but potatoes.
In today’s world humility is not acceptable, in an era where assertiveness and a desire to succeed in bettering yourselves, ahead of others, is deemed an admirable trait.
Your loving Saviour
Jesus Christ.
d288
As the Buddha taught, we must learn to joyfully participate in the sorrows of life. Nietzsche said that spirituality happens when one finds gain where most will find destruction. Well, the answers to sorrow take a long time. I'll say that Fry's argument leads to and is despair. Religion (when read for the metaphor) shows the way (the way) out of despair. And if we follow this steep and narrow way though the darkness, we'll find a garden of light within. Dig?
This is nice....
I'd like to watch a review of the movie Am interview with God from you Bishop Barron. I found the movie to be very thought provoking and would love to hear your thoughts about it.
Crusade Prayer (52)
“Prayer to the Father”
“My dearest Father, in the Name of Your precious Son and in remembrance of His Passion on the Cross, I call out to You.
You, God the Most High, Creator of the World and all that is, hold our Salvation in Your Holy Hands.
Embrace all of Your children, including those who don’t know You and those who do, but
look the other way.
Forgive us our sin and save us from the persecution of Satan and his army.
Take us into Your Arms and fill us with the hope we need to see the way of the
Truth. Amen.”
;''gf';
The insights:
-Miracles aren't rare in any 'special' meaning. They are as rare as statistics predict they are, givin no intervention from god.
-The 'secondary cause' is just a way to (deliberately) make it indifferentiable to distinguish it from: humans attribute certain good things to a god'.
-The 'problem of evil' is so often misquoted as 'an argument against god's existence'.
It's an argument to show he is not 'good and loving' by any human understanding of the words, and that it remains therefor undemonstrated he is.
It's an argument against worship of this god.
-It's true that suffering brings love (sometimes, often, ..?). It does so regardless of god, for all people. It certainly does not get god 'off the hook' for chosing this as his method. Can't he, and is he not supposed to have done it, use more 'gentle ways'.
Would we call any human 'good' that allowed (or inflicted?) suffering to promote love?
Bishop Barron, I'm a super fan of yours, find your videos and ministry in general very faith enriching. I find that you're a little dismissive here of the miracle part- that's the faith affirming core of the movie!
The Warning of Hell and the Promise of Paradise
Saturday, November 13th, 2010 @ 03:00
Your Divine Saviour
Jesus Christ
thewarning-secondcoming dotcom
45mm
God takes credit for other people’s work. Why is it God only likes taking the glory in good things, but refuses to take credit for the bad things that happen. He’s in control but won’t accept people telling him he allows/causes evil.
Hi
Looking for hope, I just lost my mom earlier today. Taken too soon and my father passed months ago. Questioning my faith and belief in an afterlife
At first, I thought my urge to respond was too late. But then I remembered that no matter how old we are or how long ago her death occurred, everyone misses their mom. I hope the happy memories of your parents help soften the loss of their physical presence on Earth. I hope you find peace in knowing that death isn't the End. I will be praying for you to Someone who loves His mother as much and you and I love ours.
Hey Father, i have a question regarding NDEs. What's your take on them? Because some NDE survivors would share a testimony that borderlines on the occult. Thank you and God bless.
Your Excellency,
I have a question that you may be able to answer. Do you believe the Church must do eveything she can to establish more monasteries in America. I believe that society is reaching its limits since it turned from God. The monasteried would provide a place of learning the Faith and morals and academics. it would be sort of age of monasticism
There is no innocence in the world, not with man in it.
The fall is inclusive of all of nature. As to unnecessary pain, suffering and death, I would ask for clarification on what is unnecessary.
Miracles are rare? Just comes to show how bland we make the world. I see any day, it's a miracle because how many are blind? I appreciate waking up every morning, because how many people died the night before, or are in a coma? I find it a miracle that I can eat, sleep in a bed in a house, because how many people don't have theses things? I think to say miracles are rare is showing a lack of gratitude for the blessings we have. This is something that both religious and atheists have.
I think that in the case of a debate, those things don't count as miracles because it doesn't amaze people.
Hey Father Barron, I had a question regarding your stances on a non literal Genesis, if Genesis is non literal and Adam and eve are non literal characters, why is there a genealogy tracing all the way back to Adam and Eve in the bible? I read Genesis non literally and I am hung up on this.
My faith is deeply affected. I've been praying for almost a decade now to see my mother's health restored and nothing good happens. I've taken her to doctors and she seems to continually get worst & worst, nothing helps and to be sincere i am wondering after 30 years of being catholic. Is there a God??... I get it, we all have to suffer and die, that is the order of things, but when a good human being suffers so much and God remains silent to your prayers, is that not a great act of cruelty? How can a merciful God remain silent to the tears of the victims of pain? Help me, cause i dont want to give up my faith but i have a hole in my heart and nothing seems to work, i am tired, sad and hopeless.
Read Rabbi Harold kushners book when bad things happen to good people. It may help you.
i have a serious doubt Bishop. In the bible it says that Jesus is coming to earth a second time.¿Does that mean that is there going to be a generation that actually doesnt experience death? or what happens there.
Yes!
In A.A., miracles are common place.
Glad i asked.
is catolic is from mexico
But suffering in a world with a loving God is not a way to disprove god
But it makes you think doesn't it?
I don't think the problem of evil defeats God. It would, at most, just defeat the idea of a good God.
I have a question though. I sometimes wonder why God (assuming he exists) would not just have everyone love him in eternal bliss. That sounds wonderful, so why wouldn't God do it? Makes sense, but then I get the response, "If God forced you to love him, then it wouldn't be true love." But I see an issue with that statement...
Coming from the perspective of an atheist, I don't believe there's anything "more" than the physical universe. So we are all just chemical reactions, atoms bumping into each other. What sense is there in "freely" choosing anything? If you love someone because they exhibited some lovely traits, wouldn't that be "forcing" you to love them, because the reason you love them is due to your senses reacting to an action?
I suppose my conundrum could be worded better here. Either love is caused by something, or it's not. If it's caused by something, then that is ultimately not a choice because it's being caused by something. If it's not being caused by something then there are no factors to why it happened, otherwise it would be caused by something. This is true randomness, so if it's random, there's also no choice in that.
There's just no truly "free" choice in anything. I saw someone perform a good deed. This created a chemical reaction in my brain, producing many hormones that makes me feel happy and attracted to the deed and the person performing them. It's all reactions. And no, you can't avoid this by saying, "You can resist the reactions", because then you resisting the reaction is either caused by something, or it's random. And whatever caused that is either caused by another or is random. There's no "freedom" in this.
+Teak That really is quite the conundrum isn't it? From a purely materialistic/deterministic worldview, freedom seems to be a mere illusion. If that's the case, that all of our 'choices' are determined by the forces acting on us, then love naturally reduces to a feeling caused by chemicals in our brains. What Christianity instead offers is that existence is not matter alone, that humans have spiritual souls, one power of which is (free)will. Therefore, we can in many situations act as agents, making real choices. That's why Christians would more aptly define love as willing the good of the other, rather than a sentiment or chemical reaction. It means desiring and doing what is best for someone else, often at our own inconvenience and even suffering. Love is caused and not random, but it is 'caused' by the will. If free will exists and love really is a choice, then it does make a difference whether or not God lets us choose to love him. Hope this helps!
-Peace
(I enjoy your picture btw)
+Teak Yeah, I wonder about those questions too. Can obligatory faith be genuine? Is compulsory love an oxymoron? Do the churches claim to know more than they really know?
Christopher Moell A soul can work in its own framework, but I don't think the framework itself works.
What I mean is, you can axiomatically claim anything, and in that axiom, it works perfectly, but the axiom itself might be nonsense. I can say that a square triangle can exist and not exist at the same time, and in that framework I've solved the problem of can a square triangle exist. BUT the axiom itself is nonsense, so I didn't solve anything.
Basically, I don't know what a soul is, and it doesn't seem to answer my question, but thanks for the reply.
I agree.But I also agree more that God has given me the expections of his power to use for all as Christ did.Greater miracles will we do when we believe.Putting any limits on that teaching is just not going to work for me.Respectfully.
7:03 what in the hell; that painting is in Resident Evil 4!!!
That's real ... RE4, in the castle at the end of the railway before the main entrance.
If there is no God
Who is to say what is bad?
We all have opinions and yours is no better than mine.
So who gets to proclaim what is bad and what is good?
Since your indoctrination from early childhood (devout Catholic Barron family) you must look for some kind of explanation of the inexplicable. The extent that extreme suffering exists in the world provides stark evidence contradicting the claim that there is an all-loving, all powerful God overseeing life as we know it. David Hume in his treatise Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion posed the question, initially raised by the Greek philosopher Epicurus: “Is he (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is he able, but not willing? Then he is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Whence then is evil?”
No, God's existence can be rationally demonstrated. Once one is convinced that God exists, one is justified in looking for a reasonable way to square his existence with the fact of suffering. As to Hume's point, it is invalid. He overlooks the possibility that God permits certain evils in order to bring from them a greater good. This gets one off of the horns of the trilemma.
You state that "God's existence can be rationally demonstrated". As you have previously indicated, you rely upon Aquinas' contingency argument. I can understand its persuasiveness regarding postulating an intelligent entity as the initiator of everything. And I can see how you as a teenager, would be persuaded by that appeal to rationality (watched your Rubin Report discussion). But we have learned from scientific inquiry that human rationality is inadequate as a means to understanding so much about existence.
The contingency argument is a "god of the gaps" argument since there is no verifiable evidence to substantiate it. In order to avoid the infinite regression dilemma posited by the "who created God" question, you must postulate some state that is outside time and space where this creator always was. Once again it is a hypothetical construct without any evidence. The only defense is to ask the question: how could it be anything else? I can't deny that there may be such a creative entity. But without any evidence, it is speculation without proof.
Additionally, there is not a scintilla of evidence that this postulated, creative entity is focused on the well being of human beings. On the contrary, the available evidence contravenes the claim that such a benevolent creator exists. Speculating that God "permits certain evils in order to bring them a greater good" provides no insight into what possible good could come from millions of children suffering and dying every year before reaching age 5 from starvation and disease. That's just one example from so many episodes down through the ages of needless human suffering by innocent victims of natural disasters, epidemics, etc. Your answer provides no more insight than the traditional "God works in mysterious ways".
I'm reminded of David Attenborough's comment: "I often get letters, quite frequently, from people who say how they like the programmes a lot (BBC documentary), but I never give credit to the almighty power that created nature. To which I reply and say, Well, it's funny that the people, when they say that this is evidence of the Almighty, always quote beautiful things. They always quote orchids and hummingbirds and butterflies and roses. But I always have to think too of a little boy sitting on the banks of a river in west Africa who has a worm boring through his eyeball, turning him blind before he's five years old. And I reply and say, Well, presumably the God you speak about created the worm as well, and now, I find that baffling to credit a merciful God with that action. And therefore it seems to me safer to show things that I know to be truth, truthful and factual, and allow people to make up their own minds about the moralities of this thing, or indeed the theology of this thing."
That's why i stop watching Christian movies made by Christian denomination the message was incomplete I was disappointed when I was the rapture movie...I loved watching Catholic movies liked the Passion of Christ it was real based only in the bible not adding information base on human mind!
_The Passion of the Christ_ adds plenty to the Gospel - the presence of Satan at Gethsemane for example.
But at least it's related and it's believable unlike under Christian movie that opposite to reality!
He doesn't look like a Catholic Bishop. Tab collar? A Suit? You know who looks like a Bishop? Fulton Sheen.