Faith Sense: Suffering and natural disasters
All over the world, at some time or another, people are suffering. From viewing images of the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis, to hearing about a friend or relative having a terminal illness, it can all seem not to make any rational sense. Many people find themselves asking: "How can a loving God allow suffering and natural disasters to happen? What possible purpose could there be to suffering and surely it all makes for a grim vision of our existence on earth?"
Dr James Hanvey, a Catholic priest who is also a member of the Society of Jesus (otherwise know as ‘the Order of Jesuits’), offers reflective responses to these questions.
Listen/download
How can God let natural disasters happen? (mp3)
(Audio file 3m32s)
How can we make sense of God seemingly allowing people to suffer? (mp3)
(Audio file 4m 23s)
Where is Jesus in all this? (mp3)
(Audio file 2m 12s)
Links
Pontiff Reflects on Messianic Secret, Suffering Was Key to Christ's Mission
Zenit News Agency
2 February 2009
The Meaning of Christian Suffering: Pope Benedict's recent thoughts on the purpose of human pain