There are no times in life when opportunity the chance to be and do gathers so richly about the soul as when it has to suffer. Then everything depends on whether the man turns to the lower or the higher helps. If he resorts to mere expedients and tricks the opportunity is lost. He comes out harder poorer smaller for his pain. But if he turns to God the hour of suffering is the turning hour of his life.
I was about to tell him he was wrong to dwell on it because it really didnt matter. But he cut me off and urged me one last time drawing himself up to his full height and asking me if I believed in God. I said no. He sat down indignantly. He said it was impossible; all men believed in God even those who turn their backs on him. That was his belief and if he were ever to doubt it his life would become meaningless. Do you want my life to be meaningless? he shouted. As far as I could see it didnt have anything to do with me and I told him so. But from across the table he had already thrust the crucifix in my face and was screaming irrationally I am a Christian. I ask Him to forgive you for sins. How can you not believe that He suffered for you? I was struck by how sincere he seemed but I had had enough. It was getting hotter and hotter. As always whenever I want to get rid of someone Im not really listening to I made it appear as if I agreed. To my surprise he acted triumphant. You see you see! he said. You do believe dont you and youre going to place your trust in Him arent you? Obviously I again said no. He fell back in his chair.
Its a pity if someone… has to console himself for the wreck of his days with the notion that somehow his voice his work embodies the deepest most obscure freshest rawest oyster of reality in the unfathomable refrigerator of the hearts ocean but I am such a one and there you have it. … It is really amazing how famous I am to those few who truly comprehend what Im about. I am the Voice of Suffering and I cannot be consoled.
Some morning it is likely that the headlines of the world will scream forth the news that New York has been bombed. As tragic as this will be it will nevertheless accomplish the deep unity that Christians should have. It is a sad commentary that our brotherhood which exists by Christian love is only truly cemented by Christian suffering.
I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world may still know bliss be it only for a brief moment in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation when a man cannot express himself in positive action when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way an honorable way in such a position man can through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved achieve fulfillment.
Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself is not puffed up Doth not behave itself unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies they shall fail; whether there be tongues they shall cease; whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away.
Consider how much more you often suffer from your anger and grief than from those very things for which you are angry and grieved.
I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!
There are no times in life when opportunity the chance to be and do gathers so richly about the soul as when it has to suffer. Then everything depends on whether the man turns to the lower or the higher helps. If he resorts to mere expedients and tricks the opportunity is lost. He comes out harder poorer smaller for his pain. But if he turns to God the hour of suffering is the turning hour of his life.
I was about to tell him he was wrong to dwell on it because it really didnt matter. But he cut me off and urged me one last time drawing himself up to his full height and asking me if I believed in God. I said no. He sat down indignantly. He said it was impossible; all men believed in God even those who turn their backs on him. That was his belief and if he were ever to doubt it his life would become meaningless. Do you want my life to be meaningless? he shouted. As far as I could see it didnt have anything to do with me and I told him so. But from across the table he had already thrust the crucifix in my face and was screaming irrationally I am a Christian. I ask Him to forgive you for sins. How can you not believe that He suffered for you? I was struck by how sincere he seemed but I had had enough. It was getting hotter and hotter. As always whenever I want to get rid of someone Im not really listening to I made it appear as if I agreed. To my surprise he acted triumphant. You see you see! he said. You do believe dont you and youre going to place your trust in Him arent you? Obviously I again said no. He fell back in his chair.
Its a pity if someone… has to console himself for the wreck of his days with the notion that somehow his voice his work embodies the deepest most obscure freshest rawest oyster of reality in the unfathomable refrigerator of the hearts ocean but I am such a one and there you have it. … It is really amazing how famous I am to those few who truly comprehend what Im about. I am the Voice of Suffering and I cannot be consoled.
Some morning it is likely that the headlines of the world will scream forth the news that New York has been bombed. As tragic as this will be it will nevertheless accomplish the deep unity that Christians should have. It is a sad commentary that our brotherhood which exists by Christian love is only truly cemented by Christian suffering.
The salvation of the world is in mans suffering.
I understood how a man who has nothing left in this world may still know bliss be it only for a brief moment in the contemplation of his beloved. In a position of utter desolation when a man cannot express himself in positive action when his only achievement may consist in enduring his sufferings in the right way an honorable way in such a position man can through loving contemplation of the image he carries of his beloved achieve fulfillment.
We compound our suffering by victimizing each other.
If you suffer thank God! It is a sure sign that you are alive.
O suffering sad humanity! O ye afflicted ones who lie Steeped to the lips in misery Longing yet afraid to die Patient though sorely tried!
It is a glorious thing to be indifferent to suffering but only to ones own suffering.
How little it takes to make life unbearable: a pebble in the shoe a cockroach in the spaghetti a womans laugh.
It requires more courage to suffer than to die.
We are healed of a suffering only by experiencing it in full.
I have suffered too much in this world not to hope for another.
Charity suffereth long and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself is not puffed up Doth not behave itself unseemly seeketh not her own is not easily provoked thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things believeth all things hopeth all things endureth all things. Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies they shall fail; whether there be tongues they shall cease; whether there be knowledge it shall vanish away.