Suffering?????

As promised.... something about the mass I attended at the GIFT OF LOVE home. During the homily, the priest was talking about suffering. The first thing that went through my mind was "How apt! The old folks were there listening as well". Well, he started talking about suffering and that most religions talk about suffering as how to avoid it. But when it comes to Jesus, He teaches us to not aviod it and to embrace it. We know that many people ask if God is so great and good, why does he allow suffering? Well, I never really understoof that too. And I can't say I still understand it today. Anyway, Fr. basically summarised it like this: SUFFERING = MEANING. He went on to give examples of this. One dramatic one which he described, was a man who was in the mountains climbing got entangled in his rope with one of his arms. He could not get out of that. The ONLY 2 options he had was to either die hanging there or to cut off his arm and get out of the mess. No one was around to help as he was alone. Eventually after contemplating and thinking how to cut his bone as well, he cut his arm. He then had to walk to the nearest town, which was not that near by the way and sought help. Now, he had a purpose... to live on. And with a purpose, he suffered for it. Same for Jesus, he suffered and died for us. And that suffering... is unimaginable (see the Passion of the Christ) and that is purpose and meaning for you. Suffering is part and parcel of life. Suffering does not mean dramatic events at work, but can also mean someone backstabbing you at work or something like that. It is how you deal with it and move on with life. And if you ask for it, God will help you out of it. Easy to talk like that, but can I deal with it???? Something to think about man..... I think there are a few more views to "Why Suffering?" I heard of another view and that is "free will." What makes us different from animals and such is "free will." God gave us this "free will." And humans are given the choice to do this or do that. Of course some choices are good and others are simply not...... Something to ponder on too. Gosh..... these are just thoughts and it all just came out on this blog.... gotta get back to work!!!