When faced with suffering....

08/17/11 21:07, by michael, Categories: Quotes with Meditations , Tags: benedict xvi, mystery of the cross, powerless, suffering, trust, zenit

When faced with the suffering of a loved one ... we feel powerless and we cannot find the right words. Before a brother or sister plunged into the mystery of the cross ... compassionate silence, a prayerful presence, a gesture of tenderness and comfort, a kind look, a smile, often achieve more than many words. - Benedict XVI; speaking at the Cardinal Le'ger Centre, Yaounde', Cameroon, March 19, 2009 (full text can be found at http://www.zenit.org/article-25419?l=english)

i love our Holy Father. I'm going to paste more of his words from the text of this talk he gave. they are far more wise than i ever hope to be. todays quote and meditation is especially for Travis, his parents, sisters and brothers, including matthew.

BENEDICT XVI - WHEN SUFFERING, TRUST GOD

Visits Sick at Cardinal Le'ger Centre

Although many doubt God's presence in their lives when facing suffering, it's actually the best time to entrust oneself even more to him, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope said this today upon meeting with sick people at the Cardinal Paul-Émile Le'ger Centre. He assured those present, "You are not alone in your pain, for Christ himself is close to all who suffer."

"Faced with suffering, sickness and death, it is tempting to cry out in pain, as Job did, whose name means 'suffering,'" the Pontiff reflected. "As our condition deteriorates, our anguish increases; some are tempted to doubt whether God is present in their lives.

"Job, however, was conscious of God’s presence; his was not a cry of rebellion, but, from the depths of his sorrow, he allowed his trust to grow.

"His friends, like each of us when faced with the suffering of a loved one, tried to console him, but they used hollow and empty words."

"In the presence of such torment," the Holy Father continued, "we feel powerless and we cannot find the right words. Before a brother or sister plunged into the mystery of the cross, a respectful and compassionate silence, a prayerful presence, a gesture of tenderness and comfort, a kind look, a smile, often achieve more than many words."