Prayers to Jay, may God hold you up and carry you through this horrible time. I too lost my daughter, my only child 3 years ago. I do understand that loss and that giving to God is so necessary...🙏😞
My brother just died of a painful death from cancer at a young age. I prayed every day and said the rosary. Just when I thought God answered our prayers for healing, the cancer spread. I am devastated and don't understand where God was, why did he let him suffer, why did he give us false hope? My faith is shattered, and it will take me a long time to understand why God allows suffering. God has performed miracles, but my prayers went unanswered- where were you God in our greatest hour of need?
I know your brother's gone but you shouldn't be sad because he will be happy and at peace on the other side you need to stop being sad just because he is in spirit doesn't mean his gone he will always be with you god took him for a reason and gave him a new life if you can't let the pain go and accept that his gone you will hold him back there's ways you can communicate with him you know through phychic or a spirit box so just don't be sad his free of pain 💟🙏
St. Paul: "...I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12)
St. Therese of Lisieux, "I can no longer suffer, since all suffering is sweet to me". The closer you get to God the more he can (will) allow partaking in this miracle.
@@hopehopehope6099 Hello and greetings to you. Not sure what you refer to by the word "Diary"? She wrote the book a "Story of a Soul" as you are probably are aware. As I recall, St. Therese said it at the culmination of her "Vocation of Love", ergo her whole life and it was recorded among her last "sayings" by one of her sisters. AVE MARIA !
@@jjevans1693"Grow up", says the person replying like a petulant, irascible schoolchild. Your anti-Catholicism shines like a beacon in the night, may St. Therese pray for your soul. AVE MARIA!
Hello Fr Mike... I'm Richard, a seminarian from India... Your talks are really inspiring and they motivate me a lot . Thank you so much father. Keeping you in my prayers. May you touch more and more souls through your ministry. God bless you 🙏
I’m Ryan from Albuquerque New Mexico USA. My incredible father who was good friends with “Amma” the hugging saint died three months ago. When Amma came to NM and she saw my dad she would say “Chris, Chris, Chris” with her beautiful smile and innocent voice! My father was a truly incredible man! The “Gita”(as it is version) has helped me immensely in my life and spiritual journey. God bless Richard from India. Jai Guru Dev 🙏
“Father use this.” I will put into practice what you have said. This has been yet another very, very helpful video. Thank you so much Father Mike. God bless you and Ascension Presents.
Please don't apologize for using these comic references. They're a very easy way to relay a message. People understand the logic. Thank you for your video!
Where is the logic in comparing Superman and God. Superman does what he think it's best, but he's limited in power and knowledge. God supposedly isn't limited, yet he cn't do better than Superman? If evil exists because of free will, then either there is evil in Heaven or there is no free will in Heaven. Is it a just decision to respect free will of stronger person and not the weak one (to explain, if rapist's free will wants to rape and victim's free will doesn't want to be raped, free will of stronger person will prevail)?
This video doesn't explain suffering, it explains evil. How do you explain suffering? Why does God not eliminate tsunamis, earthquakes, diseases, volcanos, cancer, floods, animal attacks, bizarre accidents, tornados and other things that have nothing to do with free will and are not man-made? If God is all-powerful, there is no rule above him that says he can't do it and if he's all-good, he would wanted to eliminate unnecessary suffering.
Thank you Father Mike. 2020has been tough to me. I am currently living in France lost everything when starting my start-up. Experienced betrayed and deceived. Right now got covid 19 and stay home. But, spiritually, God showed me who I am, I have never been feeling so close to God and I am having a renaissance in God. Amen.
@@danlopez.3592 to lose paper with a human head on is no big deal, but to lose eternity is a BIG deal, you will never grow your soul by playing safe....10 to 1000 or 100 to 1000 makes 9% of difference...... does that matter? really.....this life is very long for the suffering we all go through..nobody ever went through life without suffering....and too short for enjoyment to make any meaning.......in just 1000 years....let alone 10 000 or eternity.......
The only MAN OF GOD, I know, that can NERD OUT, and still bring your closer to GOD!!!! You the man, Father Mike!!! Trust me when I say it, I WILL SAY USE IT. Already saying, COME WITH ME JESUS, or as you say COME WITH. THANK YOU
I really needed to hear that Father Mike. I am really struggling with my emotions ..I get really sad at times but prayer is the only thing that keeps me calm. I prayed the other day then I turned on youtube and started listening to a song called SEA but in another language I had no idea what is was about and for some reason I felt calm and at ease. Then I turned the captions I was at loss for words. It was about the pain and struggles they went through. It really helped me out. Again thanks Fr. Mike!!
Thank u Fr.Mike for another video of suffering. Also u are not only blessed with wisdom but also so expressive with ur gestures & facial expressions which makes ur talk more intriguing. ❤️
In my worst pain when I can't think straight, no words come to me as I was taught to "offer it up" for something in particular. "Lord use this." Three words. Easy. Thank you Father Mike.
“Jesus wept…” this is my favorite verse in the Bible. Through Jesus the Son, God suffers with us and is grieved by evil. Jesus learned obedience and received glory by going through suffering and so it is with us as His followers. Before Jesus uttered his final words “It is finished” (i.e. no more suffering and disorder), he also exclaimed in anguish, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Assuredly, as God the Father had not forsaken God the Son (though it felt that way in the moment in the flesh), God has not forsaken you even when it feels/looks like He has. Our suffering yet glorified Lord is with you, in you, and for you. Whoever suffers much loves much…
I think you misunderstood the inherent natural suffering with suffering from humans. Tornadoes are not evil nor are they our fault, yet they cause millions to suffer. Or world hunger. When children are dying because of hunger that is not exactly an evil from another human being but just the scarcity of food. The question is why would this suffering even be possible in a universe created by a god?
Because god doesn’t exist why is it little kids getting the r word done to them and those sick people not do any real time in jail. Why is it poverty when there’s billionaires who has enough money to feed a country for a year and still have money. God is made up look at the Vatican the holy of holy worth money then any thing. Why can’t they solve world hunger world homelessness heck create decent paying jobs so people can actually get their lives together god doesn’t seem to exist
This isn't my answer, but this thing I found acknowledges a lot of the things mentioned here, even if it may not have a satisfactory, definitive answer that you or others in the same perspective seek: "1. Creation and Free Will: In Catholic teaching, God created the universe and all things within it with an inherent order and balance. The natural world operates according to laws that reflect this design, including forces like weather patterns and ecosystems that have the potential for life but also the potential for natural suffering. In this view, the existence of natural processes (such as tectonic shifts that can cause earthquakes) isn’t itself evil but a byproduct of a physical world with its own structure and limits. 2. Human Responsibility and Solidarity: Hunger, as an example of suffering, can often be understood as a problem rooted in human systems rather than pure scarcity. From a Catholic perspective, God has given humanity the resources to address such issues, but due to human free will, resources can be misused or distributed unjustly. Catholics believe we have a responsibility to act in solidarity with those suffering from hunger and other natural afflictions by working toward justice, fairness, and compassion. 3. The Role of Suffering in Faith: Catholic teaching also holds that suffering, though deeply painful and challenging, has a transformative potential in the context of faith. Pope John Paul II spoke of suffering as an opportunity to share in Christ's own suffering and to grow in compassion, humility, and dependence on God. While this doesn’t lessen the physical reality of suffering, it provides a way of finding meaning and spiritual growth within it. Suffering becomes, in some ways, an invitation to draw closer to God and to *one another* . 4. Hope in Eternal Life and Ultimate Justice: Finally, Catholics believe that God’s justice and mercy are fully realized beyond this life. The problem of suffering is seen through the lens of eternity, where God’s ultimate plan includes the end of all suffering and the promise of eternal happiness with Him. From this perspective, even the most intense suffering in this life is a temporary experience in relation to the eternal life God promises. In sum, while Catholics do not claim to fully understand *all* aspects of suffering, they believe it has a place within God's greater plan for human growth, solidarity, and the eventual restoration of creation. This understanding of suffering requires trust in God’s love and a belief that in the end, all things will be made right."
You misunderstand, God did create a world without suffering, however actions have consequences and the consequences of rebelling against God is the world around us
@SvenGD Yes, He very well could do this, and yes, He is all good. But I disagree with the claim that what God is doing is not what an all-good being would do. That’s because I don’t think anyone should assume they know exactly what would be “all good”, because no one is all good, all powerful, and all knowing themself. We can try our best to make the world a better place, of course, but to exclaim for sure that the entire story of humanity, past, present, and future, would be “better” if no “bad things” existed? We are so small that we don’t even know for sure what the terms mean in the very long term. We only see a tiny glimpse of God’s entire plan. We may never know the net outcome.
@SvenGD I think it has to do with the “make” part - maybe there is something better about humans being able to choose between good and evil, than just everyone being happy (which would imply everyone always does the right thing). Maybe the absence of choice would actually be a negative side effect - sort of like a sin of omission. And you’re also assuming that happiness is the highest good - even if it is, there’s so much more and deeper in life than just one emotion
@SvenGD that's the point of the video. We would be robots. Indeed, I don't think we could be truly happy. We wouldn't be able to love. And love brings the authentic happiness... This brings us to an important point. I perceive this in you, as I've had the same questions you are making. I had trouble with reality and with my own humanity (still battling). The point is that we are well done. That the desires we have (desire for love, justice, good, freedom, beauty...) are no stupid at all. And that reality is a friend, not an enemy. This is what Jesus teaches us and challenges us to! That life is possitive, with all its joy and its suffering. That it's worth it.
@SvenGD Sadness and pain definitely aren’t. But what ultimately comes out of them, as well as the overcoming of them, may be better than not having them at all. You have to realize there is a long, long future for God to work with. You also have to explain what you mean by necessary. Necessary for what? Again, we don’t know the ultimate plan, so how could we know what is necessary to achieve this plan in the best way? People say religion gives life meaning because it gives you an ultimate goal to continually strive towards - in Christianity, that is to know God, love God, and serve God, and in the process, participate in His all-good plan. I don’t see how this makes everything pointless.
Father Mike, you have a gift for taking common, often delicate, spiritual struggles and concerns that many Catholics face and mold it into rational, relatable perspectives. And you show us practical ways to apply them to our daily lives. :Awesome! :))
I’ve been suffering for over 20 years, when is it enough? Am I to be this depressed and sad person until I die? That defeats the purpose of why I was born. Why if I should only hate life? I didn’t ask for life but I’ll be condemn if I give it back willingly.
There is a toddler of 22 months that got attacked by 5 pitbulls and his face was ripped off. He survived and will have his face disfigured for all his life. That is not related to human free will is a tragedy. Why God allows that horrible experience that brings inmense suffering to the toddler and the parents? I can´t imagine their suffering
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” Genesis 50:20 NKJV thank you for the video Fr. Mike!
@@scotte4765 He doesn't. These people [{including this priest } either are misinformed, ignorant of the Bible or lying. In the case of the priest, probably all three. " For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does He himself try anyone ",James1:13
Ive been told so many times - "You can't experience true happiness without experience sadness" and I do understand that, and love the concept, but for me...a woman that grew up in an abusive home where most days and nights i was scared, having been sexually abused by my babysitters son from age 9 to 12, and just having hardship after hardship from childhood to adulthood - I really, really struggle with the concept, because its just not fair. 😥 I feel like I've suffered enough for a hundred ppl. When do i get a break from it?
Not to long ago my best friend, who has gotten back into the church told me that the abuses and suffering I went through actually got him back into praying and the church. It's not much of a consolation but I can appreciate that something I did or experienced is making someone else happy. It's definitely not fair and I know that I would not be the kind of person I am if it weren't for those experiences. I'm sure you're a wonderful person who is loved by many and your survival and strength may be an inspiration for others. That doesn't make it any easier. As long as you always remember that it wasn't your fault and you did nothing to deserve any of your suffering. Perhaps you can use your experience to guide others and that helping someone else may give you a sense of purpose and value. I don't totally believe that you need to experience sadness to appreciate happiness. I don't have to be hit by a car to know it's going to be unpleasant or that I'd rather not be hit by a car.
Im sorry for the suffering and Trauma you went through. I've been through that too. Have you healed from it yet or do you still Suffer from it? You should constantly pray and ask God to take away your pain and heal you to the point you can forgive others. Those people who do bad things to us do not have Jesus in their lives. Praying for yourself and others is gift and power that God gave us.
Just went through a tragic mistake and was terminated from my job. It hurt to know my role in what happened. It hurt to hear the top Mgr tell me of his decision to terminate me, despite the extenuating circumstances. But I know God has this. Interviewing for another job in the same field. 🙏🏻
Your consent was taken away the day that you were born and put into this life without first consenting to the pain and suffering that would be imposed upon us if we were to accept this thing we call life.
18 months ago I was in a auto accident and suffered a broken back. When asked by my younger sister if I was angry about my injuries and their impact on my life I told her first I'm not dead, and I'm not paralyzed. I then told her how when I look back on most of the times bad things happened in my life in most cases the moment preceding these events I was experiencing some level of anger but mostly impatience. I realized at that moment God had just given me insight into how one of my personal weaknesses (willful impatience) contributed to my fate. Since that moment I have striven to be more patient and it has changed my overall stress in life. Not sure what my point is, just wanted to share this event in my life has resulted in my asking God for guidance more often. I still have a long way to go.
I can't imagine for myself, and I respect you highly for saying that. These religious folk disgust me with the way the brush off suffering saying its okay and its for a "greater good".
Father Mike you are amazing! The way you answer these questions are simply incredible. God bless you. ❤ I have seen pastors go on for minutes and minutes explaining questions regarding christ but you do it effortlessly with simple explanations ❤
A different view to suffering and pain. I think that pain will lead into growth... I conquered 13 years of deep depression, of searching my way through constant sorrow. I made it through, a long time a felt nothing, I was dead inside... but now I feel much stronger, physically and mentally. I think this was a test, how much I can take... thanks god for all.
Father, could you please make a video for us around the age of 18 about what steps to do to grow in our faith and to understand God’s will for our lives! Please and thank you!
Blessed be God! I have not even finished this video. Real-time right now my lil brother is on his way to the ER right now because of many things most of all polymyositis accompanied by over counter/street drug addiction for management. He has had stomach pains for the last two day's and my mom is on her way from Oracle to take him to ER. Pray for him Please Father Mike and fellow brother and sisters. But God is good as I sit here trying not to worry. This video pop's up. WHAT's THIS? the title made me take an illegal break from work to start and watch, and Pray and the title is exactly what's going through my mind right now with millions....but most of all with my lil brother who has been fighting this rare disease and this drug addiction for 7 years 37 years old and he's wasting away from both sides of the chain. He is not right with Jesus Christ...I was barely saved again in 2018. My mom is 68 and can't handle much more!! HELP!! And then BOOM!! This video...Father starts talking about relating God to Comic books WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?!?! Tne Holy Spirit----look at my profile photo-----I taught myself to read thru comics, draw, imagine, and in some stories look for a higher purpose in life......Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ!! God Bless my lil brother AJ right now have mercy on his soul in your name in Your Will God, all of this in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit! Amen!!
this is a kind word and i love this man’s energy and enthusiasm. I won’t like though, not fully buying the answer he gave but i’ll try to have faith. All good. God bless you too Fr. Mike
My wife was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia at only 58 years old, and I'm slowly losing her. I don't know if I can live without her I would rather be with her than without her for the rest of my life if only it was me that had this instead of her. I love God with all my heart but maybe he doesn't love me the same way I've asked him many times if he could cure her and take me instead but I think that I might not be good enough for his kingdom and I know she is im ready to lose my mind thinking of this every day.
my dad passed away 4 months ago. He had a heart attack in front of me. I know God exists based upon supernatural experiences but it is HARD man. It was so sudden and felt very personal. At the same time, I know Jesus Christ is hope, whether that be that you are able to be with her again someday, just as me with my dad (I am only 25 and my brother is 22), or whether that be that God will walk with you closer if you allow him to regardless of the outcome. I know Jesus is hope though. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.” Remember that there is a plan.
Bless you father I love your talk and you God is real given you spirit of life and the word of life. Blessed are those who comes in his name.father Mike.👏👏
Father Mike you have touched so many hearts and helped so many people including me! My prayer to you is that you never forget the inspiring, powerful words you have! God bless you! 😇
I was that person. I'm 6 yrs sober from herion. I also was a Xanax addict at times too. But thank God I'm sober now. And I've realized that you can't have good without bad they both need each other. It's like Ying yang. So it comes down to free will. God doesn't effect us and our journey. It's called faith for a reason. I also believe that there's no better way to judge one's faith and life better than allowing free will and all things to freely happen naturally. So I finally got my answer and my faith is stronger than ever. And I also believe God is love and there both the same.
"Why is there suffering?" The problem of evil, the question of evil is answered only once you know WHY you are experiencing this WORLD OF LIMITATION- the most esoteric secret in this entire Universe! And this question has finally been comprehensively answered by The Source of ALL. It makes perfect sense. And I have published this information in several different formats. Click and ye shall find. Elijah has returned, as prophesied. (I communicate only through my sites.)
joshuat5140 I'm glad to know you're sober and hope you continue to have a healthy, drug-free life. But "you can't have good without bad" is nonsense. You don't need drugs or disease in the world for everyone to be healthy. You need them to NOT exist. That's the whole point. That's what health is, and the same goes for other kinds of good like security, happiness, and so on.
@scotte4765 it's not nonsense. I see what your point and opinion is. But I wasn't trying to necessarily say that you got to have both. But they both exist and is used as a measurement. Bad health is what helps one determine one with good health. They compliment each other. So we do need bad to have a measurement of what's good. They can exist without each other. But then neither holds any weight at that point. Maybe I'm not making sense? Because of the way I'm trying to explain my opinion? I'm not the best at trying to explain certain things. But my opinion makes sense.
@@joshuat5140 Thanks for your response. I think I understand what you're trying to say, and I'd still say that it's untrue both the way you originally phrased it and the way you're trying to put across. You're trying to say, I think, that we need to experience the bad in order to have the full measure or understanding of how good the good really is. Correct? If that captures your point correctly, I'd still say, who cares, why do we need that? The point of health is to BE healthy, not to have a sharp awareness of how unhealthy we might have been. The point of safety and security is to BE safe and secure, not to be worried or even grateful about how unsafe and insecure we once were or could have been. My health, safety, happiness, etc., still hold their full "weight" even if I'm unaware of all the ways they might have been otherwise. I will say that there is one strong reason we would want that awareness of evil and suffering, and that is for all the cases where we still have some significant risk of experiencing them, so we can take steps to prevent them. But that's a purely practical kind of knowledge that is only valuable up until the moment we eliminate any particular evil. Smallpox was eliminated from the planet in the 1970s. Is anyone born since then worse off in any way for being totally ignorant of what it is like to have that disease? No. Good and evil don't complement each other. They aren't yin and yang. Whatever we decide good consists of, that's the only thing we want or need, by definition. And if there were a God with the ability to eliminate all kinds of evil and suffering, then in doing so it would make any potential knowledge or lessons we might gain from suffering completely redundant, and that would be a good thing. We only benefit from those lessons because no god is doing that.
Nobody (normal people at least) wants to get sick, suffer from disaster and accidents. Free will partially addresses the problem of suffering, but not all suffering. In addition, I believe many people (me included) would prefer to being happy and 'controlled' by God rather than suffering. People living in poverty, suffering in war and hunger would prefer the same.
But everybody does, eventually die, and we are all subjected to laws of physics and biology. I am sure Jesus himself would've much more preferred if his message was accepted instead of dying on that cross in shame and humiliation. He wasn't a passive victim though, his actions, his choices lead there. He could've backed out easily, he didn't. Therefore, life is in a way - chose your pain game. Pain will come, this way or another, it's still better if it's paired with a value. Now, that leaves one gaping question - what about those who cannot chose, who came into this world only to experience suffering, pain, hunger, sickness? I don't really think there is an honest and intellectually satisfying answer to that. There are options, however. One is a belief that this really isn't the whole story and that, if the story didn't end with the cross, it doesn't end with suffering. However, even if one doesn't believe this, there is another option that should oblige everyone - whatever we believe, there should be a sense of obligation in those who have it better towards those who have it worse. Unfortunately, much suffering in this world comes from not wanting to "carry your own cross" so they are just tossed on the backs of others. In other words, there is hunger in this world not because poor can't get enough but because rich are never full.
That had to be the best explanation for that subject i have heard in my 40 yrs of getting to know the Lord for myself. I'm 50 and try my best to answer this when asked. Now ,I'm a comic buff so maybe that helped ,lol. It was just very well put. I would love to express my feelings better but I'm overwhelmed with emotions because I feel it's important to get this thru to people . Now I feel I can do this a little better. God bless you and your channel. 🥰
This video answers so many questions, it is absolutely amazing. There are not many people who can explain suffering, freedom, and the love of Gof like that. A brazilian here, and now im gonna try to explain what you have said here for all that I know. Thanks. God bless you
Yeah, but Superman is not quite god, and crime is not the end of story. Why do the best of people get cancer or MND, especially young kids? They didn’t choose those illnesses. Nor did anyone else choose for them (at least no earthly creature).
I love the analogy simple brief and to the point you kept it simple I’m so appreciative thank you so much God bless you and God bless all of us thanks a lot Jan Michaels
After 54 years of physical suffering which led to emotional suffering do you Father believe I ever had a choice and if so what was it? I understand offering my suffering to God but what’s the difference between that and offering my day, or my life?
Over 19,000 people have died from an earthquake in Turkey in the past week. Too bad free will kept God from doing anything to prevent it. The earth's crust needs to have the freedom to choose evil too, I guess.
@American Clippers I think your forgetting what the reward is.... Eternity exchanged for the blink of an eye.... We all feel this deep pain and the darkness can obscure the light at times.. But remember that we are on a pilgrimage and Our Lady of Lourdes said " there is no happiness in this life only in the next" and Paul said No Mind has fathomed what the Lord has prepared for those that Love him.... Hang in there friend.. The Dawn is coming and an end is in sight otherwise Jesus would not have told Saint Faustina to prepare.. Besides what do we know about suffering really? surely we are taking our eye of the prize and placing it on our selves.. satan is a sneaky one..be careful of him because this can turn to blaming God ... that's what got Adam thrown out.. He told God he eat the fruit because it was Him that gave him the Woman so it was really his fault the first Blasphemy.. I will say a Prayer for your Spirit to be lifted God Bless.
I really liked your explanation of evil and suffering. It was very beautiful. I needed to hear those words. It made me cry. Thank you! It was very comforting.
While I was at the bedside of my dying grandmother, who while in a coma was still writhing in pain, a priest told me she was suffering for someone else’s sin. That was the beginning of my break with the Catholic Church.
@@joselandin4494How can an old lady in a coma be like Christ suffering and dying for others? My grandmother was also not Job. Please explain this mystery.
Loosing your Faith when it is needed most erases the point of having it in the first place, but is very real for a lot of people, including you. What the priest meant is that by the sin of the first 2 humans that God placed on earth, Adam and Eve, the rest of humanity that follows after carries with them something called Original Sin. Its the reason that we are bound to the punishment of our first parents because of how serious the sin was. These punishments include death, pain, labor, etc anything that we might consider "bad". When we are born, we have OG sin, and it can only be erased with Baptism. But the scar is still there, and we still endure the hardships as punishment. We Do deserve it though, because whether or not we are Baptized, we still commit personal sins (Personal sin, as opposed to Original. The ones we commit by our owns thought or actions). But God did not leave us astray. He had a backup plan in the form of Jesus Christ, and his Passion, Death, and Resurrection to beat death and sin, and open the gates of heaven as they were before Original Sin. He now allows those who die, like your grandmother, the ability to go to Heaven if they proved they were worthy of it by remaining steadfast in Faith and God's Law's on Earth. As for "being like Christ" We will certainly never be scourged and have to carry one hundred pounds of wood up a 5 mile hill and then be nailed to it by our hands and feet and then die for someone who already rejected you. Christ is not only God, so he didn't have to do it like that at all, but as a 100% human he choose to go through exactly that, something so painful and horrible for just for our salvation. Compared to this we go through very small things, but so often we still manage to loose faith and curse or reject God. All we can do on this Earth is accept the suffering God sends our way (Always things we can manage if we have faith in Him) and offer it up back to Christ, who suffered the worst of all so that we didn't have to pay the full price of our sin. In the bigger picture, the suffering we go through is really only arduous and impassible if we let it ruin our relationship with God.
It's a good question. It's possible to go through life not ever having to suffer much more then toothache. Most people see their children grow but some see them dying. I don't think it's ever possible to answer those questions in any meaningful theoretical ways. I can only say that I've met people who suffered enormously and yet they were, I can't explain how, much more happier then me. Now, I am not talking about that cheerful happiness of lucky go around, I am not even talking about a constant stream of positive emotions. I am talking about that deep, deep sense of peace and empathy they were radiating, I am talking about their sense of purpose and how they actively made the world a better place. There are, however, those who became bitter, cynical, a ruin - even if they were active believers. So, it's not suffering alone that makes it or breaks it but, it seems to me, it's not religion by itself either.
I definitely understood it so much better through the picture you gave us and now I understand what this platitude of "But He gave us free will...!" means. Thank you, you explained that well. I'm still not satisfied with the answer though because what about the free will of the child that gets abused, what about the free will of the cat that gets set fire to? I could go on with this but while you could say "Well see, this is what happens when you take away free will, this is how horrible it is when this gets violated." and that would hold a certain truth to it. You are still left feeling that something is wrong. Deeply wrong. People who harm the innocent are so far beyond what we can heal today that I do not see any sense in allowing them to exert their free will. There is no reason to believe that they will turn towards goodness in any way. So the question still stands, why does God allow this and why does He allow innocent people to get killed or hurt by natural catastrophes or illnesses.
I would add following: 1) ultimate force is LOVE ultimate law is FREEDOM (FREEWILL) because There is no LOVE without FREEWILL, couse one can't love someone by force, it is not love anymore, it needs to be freewill bothsides; 2) suffering could be: a) oportunity to grow b) oportunity to repent (turnaway from evil) c) oportunity to do sacriface to God for greather Good.
This Is Amazing....& Confirms A Video A Recently Posted About This Same Topic. THANK U QUEEN 👸 For Bringing Truth & Clarity By Posting This Divine Message ...❤️💯🙏🕊
THANKYOU Father Mike💜✝️💜 I understand more now: if GOD took away our free will we would be like robots. Adam and Eve had free will - from the beginning GOD gave us free will because for example: if someone has a knife to your throat and tells you, "say you love me," you may say it but obviously you are not saying it out of love but fear similarly, if our free will is taken away we do not have the ability to love by choice and how truly SAD that would be. The Power of LOVE conquers All is True because see JESUS on The Cross Keep on keeping on🙏✝️🙏 I'm trying! Love You Father💕
Upon liberating Mautthaussen Concentration Camp, they found written on a cell wall by a Jewish prisoner - "If there is a God, he will have to beg for my forgiveness." At Auschwitz - Birkenau they found - "There is Auschwitz, so there is no God." I understand. Completely. How a God of love could allow that is reprehensible. 😢😩😵🥵🤮
The idea of "using" suffering reminds me of Deathly Hallows Part 2 **Spoiler Alert** when Snape is dying and he's crying because of it and he tells Harry "take it" to take his tear so he can use it. Harry then uses that magical tear to experience Snapes past and memories. Not only does Harry gain compassion for Snape because of the this, but knowledge of Snapes past and suffering eventually helps lead Harry and his friends to victory over the dark lord. Pain and suffering is powerful and can be used for good if we let it.
My lower back cries out "Use me Lord!" Get those guys in Bldg 10 of CDC who study new medicines to thinking creatively and ethically so that lumbar cartilage can be repaired safely. Just got my other knee replaced and that pain is gone but the lower back pain persists. I am but a sinner Lord. Have Mercy on me.
What about the freedom of trafficked kids? Tortured and murdered children? They have no freedom and they suffer tremendously. God allows that. For meaning? What meaning would that be? Other then some pervert getting his kicks or someone cashing in on selling them? I get angry with God for this. Infact, I don't know if I really believe in God anymore.
Loved the reference With Injustice! Made me remember a time when I Heard a priest evangelizing with The Lord of the Rings, any good story could be related with the story of salvation. Thank father Mike, God bless you!
May I ask... Whose freedome is taken away if God prevents children from starving to death? I don't mean to be disrespectful, just trying to learn and understand different points of view
God gave us a free will - the ability to make choices on our own. God created us to love him, but he loves us as well. Without freedom we cannot love. If someone tells you to love them, but brings a knife to your throat, can you truly love them? Love is free. So God gave us a free will so that we could choose to love him. But obviously there has to be an alternative, since its a choice. Love or hate (hate can also be looked at as rejection or ignorance). If God came down every time we faced adversity, sadness, depression, hunger, pain etc. and he just fixes it for us, then we would be forced to believe in and "love" God. There would no way you could possibly say that God is not real or that he isn't active. And therefore you couldn't deny him and hate him, you could only love him, and then it wouldn't be love at all.
@@Mooskellunge but in the Bible god says ask and you shall receive... so what you say isn't consistent with the Bible. And kids starving to death doesn't give them much chance to believe in God if they're dead...
@@santiagoblandon3022 God says "ask and you shall receive" so why when I decide I want a Lamborghini in my driveway within the next 20 minutes, and I ask God to make it so, It does not happen? Maybe what we want is not within God's plan? Maybe part of this plan is suffering, maybe it involves innocent people dying? Jesus Christ was innocent, he was still crucified though, right? Who crucified Jesus? People crucified him. He created humans so he knows what is best for them in the end, right? This earth will come to pass, so we cannot rely on it for happiness, comfort, fulfillment, and answers. We so often cannot see the good in evil, because we so often chose it ourselves.
@@Mooskellunge that's my point. So it is god's will for us to suffer. Even innocent children who haven't even had the chance to decide for a belief. Many don't even have the chance to learn how to speak and they die in terrible suffering, and it is god's will... Why? What's the point of children suffering. I don't get it. Why would a merciful god send his son to the slaughter? "To cleanse our sins" but if god is all-powerful why does he have to send his son to the slaughter to forget our sins? In the old testament god in multiple occasions mass murder people... Is that god's will? That we can sin so he can punish us? If we have free will then why the punishment? And why does an all-merciful god punishes us? Sorry if i am insulting or anything like that. It's just that i don't get it. I don't understand.
Can I give up my free will in exchange for a complete lack of suffering? I want to be an obedient slave who loves and serves God all the time, but I don't feel any love for Him. I'm just terrified of Him. :( What do I do?
What i don't understand is that God doesn't stop evil because he doesn't want to take away people's freedom...however what freedom did the victims have while suffering??? I don't get it
My mom is in bed since 2019 due to stroke. I still hope and believe she will be fine by the mercy of God. Please pray for her healing. I cant see bed bound people suffering. It is the worst thing ever. 😭😭😓😓😓 my moms name is Glory.. please pray 🙏
I'm glad this came up in my suggested videos. I really needed this today. Today is my daughter's "birthday" She would have been 4 years old.
Prayers to Jay, may God hold you up and carry you through this horrible time. I too lost my daughter, my only child 3 years ago. I do understand that loss and that giving to God is so necessary...🙏😞
Keeping you in my prayers on this day ❤️
Heartfelt prayers to you . . .
Prayers up for you dear. God bless you
May God's grace be upon you always
My brother just died of a painful death from cancer at a young age. I prayed every day and said the rosary. Just when I thought God answered our prayers for healing, the cancer spread. I am devastated and don't understand where God was, why did he let him suffer, why did he give us false hope? My faith is shattered, and it will take me a long time to understand why God allows suffering. God has performed miracles, but my prayers went unanswered- where were you God in our greatest hour of need?
I know your brother's gone but you shouldn't be sad because he will be happy and at peace on the other side you need to stop being sad just because he is in spirit doesn't mean his gone he will always be with you god took him for a reason and gave him a new life if you can't let the pain go and accept that his gone you will hold him back there's ways you can communicate with him you know through phychic or a spirit box so just don't be sad his free of pain 💟🙏
@@haleybbyxx1547 thank you for your kind words and encouragement. You are very thoughtful and appreciate your answer.
@@AnnetteBereznicki your very welcome don't be upset live your life and be happy that's what he would want you to do god bless you 🙏💟
@@haleybbyxx1547 aww you are lovely! thanks so much- you are a kind soul. I know that is what he would have wanted.
@@AnnetteBereznicki 💜🙏💟💫
St. Paul: "...I am suffering these things; but I am not ashamed, for I know him in whom I have believed and am confident that he is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day" (2 Timothy 1:12)
He's the most 30-year-old-looking 45 year old I've ever seen
Ok not 30 though lol
Now is not the time for your super funny comments!
That's because he's clean shaven with no grays.
He is like Paul Rudd
Not at all
St. Therese of Lisieux, "I can no longer suffer, since all suffering is sweet to me". The closer you get to God the more he can (will) allow partaking in this miracle.
@@hopehopehope6099 Hello and greetings to you. Not sure what you refer to by the word "Diary"? She wrote the book a "Story of a Soul" as you are probably are aware. As I recall, St. Therese said it at the culmination of her "Vocation of Love", ergo her whole life and it was recorded among her last "sayings" by one of her sisters. AVE MARIA !
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing. God bless!
Grow up
Thanks for this wonderful quote.
@@jjevans1693"Grow up", says the person replying like a petulant, irascible schoolchild. Your anti-Catholicism shines like a beacon in the night, may St. Therese pray for your soul. AVE MARIA!
While praying the rosary today this question came into my head, thank you so much Fr Mike. 🤍🙏🏼
Hello Fr Mike... I'm Richard, a seminarian from India... Your talks are really inspiring and they motivate me a lot . Thank you so much father. Keeping you in my prayers. May you touch more and more souls through your ministry. God bless you 🙏
And May God bless you abundantly. Rest your heart in His.
@@Donna-cc1kt thanks a lot Ma'am
Quick question for you: "does the Indian seminary have a similar problem of priests abusing children as the rest of the world?"
I’m Ryan from Albuquerque New Mexico USA.
My incredible father who was good friends with “Amma” the hugging saint died three months ago. When Amma came to NM
and she saw my dad she would say “Chris, Chris, Chris” with her beautiful smile and innocent voice!
My father was a truly incredible man!
The “Gita”(as it is version) has helped me immensely in my life and spiritual journey.
God bless Richard from India.
Jai Guru Dev 🙏
“Father use this.” I will put into practice what you have said. This has been yet another very, very helpful video. Thank you so much Father Mike. God bless you and Ascension Presents.
Please don't apologize for using these comic references. They're a very easy way to relay a message. People understand the logic. Thank you for your video!
Where is the logic in comparing Superman and God. Superman does what he think it's best, but he's limited in power and knowledge. God supposedly isn't limited, yet he cn't do better than Superman?
If evil exists because of free will, then either there is evil in Heaven or there is no free will in Heaven.
Is it a just decision to respect free will of stronger person and not the weak one (to explain, if rapist's free will wants to rape and victim's free will doesn't want to be raped, free will of stronger person will prevail)?
@@goranmilic442 It's a perfect analogy: both Superman and god were created by the human mind. Both are not real. See?
@@TboneWTF Yes.
Discovered this channel a couple of days. Recently became Catholic and learning the ropes. I have to say, this man is so genuine and sweet. Bless you!
This video doesn't explain suffering, it explains evil. How do you explain suffering? Why does God not eliminate tsunamis, earthquakes, diseases, volcanos, cancer, floods, animal attacks, bizarre accidents, tornados and other things that have nothing to do with free will and are not man-made? If God is all-powerful, there is no rule above him that says he can't do it and if he's all-good, he would wanted to eliminate unnecessary suffering.
@@goranmilic442 you must be an atheist. I remember being the same way many years ago
“If god real why bad thing happen”
Welcome to the Church :)
Congratulations!
@@allie1398 ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you Father Mike. 2020has been tough to me. I am currently living in France lost everything when starting my start-up. Experienced betrayed and deceived. Right now got covid 19 and stay home. But, spiritually, God showed me who I am, I have never been feeling so close to God and I am having a renaissance in God. Amen.
Good bless you.
Hugs from Poland 😊
You sound like you’ve run to your Father. Wise move.
Lol. And still you would say god is good.
@@danlopez.3592 to lose paper with a human head on is no big deal, but to lose eternity is a BIG deal, you will never grow your soul by playing safe....10 to 1000 or 100 to 1000 makes 9% of difference...... does that matter? really.....this life is very long for the suffering we all go through..nobody ever went through life without suffering....and too short for enjoyment to make any meaning.......in just 1000 years....let alone 10 000 or eternity.......
How are you now, Lili? peace to you
The only MAN OF GOD, I know, that can NERD OUT, and still bring your closer to GOD!!!!
You the man, Father Mike!!!
Trust me when I say it, I WILL SAY USE IT.
Already saying, COME WITH ME JESUS, or as you say COME WITH.
THANK YOU
Call no man father… what bible are you reading?
Thank you for posting Fr. Mike. My 12 year old daughter has suffered from multiple disabilities since birth.
Wait, is Fr Mike 45 years old??? I thought he was like 35-38. Wow.
He’s 49
Linda Galvez whaaaaaat?!? Oh my gosh! That’s awesome!
Linda Galvez WHAT? Really ? Same age as me yet he looks 10 years younger !
that is genuinely unbelievable
He doesn't look older than me.
I really needed to hear that Father Mike. I am really struggling with my emotions ..I get really sad at times but prayer is the only thing that keeps me calm. I prayed the other day then I turned on youtube and started listening to a song called SEA but in another language I had no idea what is was about and for some reason I felt calm and at ease. Then I turned the captions I was at loss for words. It was about the pain and struggles they went through. It really helped me out. Again thanks Fr. Mike!!
What's that song? I can't find in youtube
If you feel very sad at times, maybe a psychiatrist can help.
The association with the injustice comics is uncanny and spot on. I've never would have thought of that!
One of the best message heard so much relief in heart, mind and soul.
Thank u Fr.Mike for another video of suffering. Also u are not only blessed with wisdom but also so expressive with ur gestures & facial expressions which makes ur talk more intriguing. ❤️
In my worst pain when I can't think straight, no words come to me as I was taught to "offer it up" for something in particular. "Lord use this." Three words. Easy. Thank you Father Mike.
there is no such thing as a god.
Hey God thanks for the suffering, can my family and I get a break?
May God have mercy on your family and you in Jesus mighty and precious name Amen🙏🏽❤️✝️
“Jesus wept…” this is my favorite verse in the Bible. Through Jesus the Son, God suffers with us and is grieved by evil. Jesus learned obedience and received glory by going through suffering and so it is with us as His followers. Before Jesus uttered his final words “It is finished” (i.e. no more suffering and disorder), he also exclaimed in anguish, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” Assuredly, as God the Father had not forsaken God the Son (though it felt that way in the moment in the flesh), God has not forsaken you even when it feels/looks like He has. Our suffering yet glorified Lord is with you, in you, and for you. Whoever suffers much loves much…
This video has made me so emotional. I almost have tears in my eyes. God is everything, God is pure love. God loves us 😢🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤❤
I think you misunderstood the inherent natural suffering with suffering from humans. Tornadoes are not evil nor are they our fault, yet they cause millions to suffer. Or world hunger. When children are dying because of hunger that is not exactly an evil from another human being but just the scarcity of food. The question is why would this suffering even be possible in a universe created by a god?
Because god doesn’t exist why is it little kids getting the r word done to them and those sick people not do any real time in jail. Why is it poverty when there’s billionaires who has enough money to feed a country for a year and still have money. God is made up look at the Vatican the holy of holy worth money then any thing. Why can’t they solve world hunger world homelessness heck create decent paying jobs so people can actually get their lives together god doesn’t seem to exist
This isn't my answer, but this thing I found acknowledges a lot of the things mentioned here, even if it may not have a satisfactory, definitive answer that you or others in the same perspective seek:
"1. Creation and Free Will: In Catholic teaching, God created the universe and all things within it with an inherent order and balance. The natural world operates according to laws that reflect this design, including forces like weather patterns and ecosystems that have the potential for life but also the potential for natural suffering. In this view, the existence of natural processes (such as tectonic shifts that can cause earthquakes) isn’t itself evil but a byproduct of a physical world with its own structure and limits.
2. Human Responsibility and Solidarity: Hunger, as an example of suffering, can often be understood as a problem rooted in human systems rather than pure scarcity. From a Catholic perspective, God has given humanity the resources to address such issues, but due to human free will, resources can be misused or distributed unjustly. Catholics believe we have a responsibility to act in solidarity with those suffering from hunger and other natural afflictions by working toward justice, fairness, and compassion.
3. The Role of Suffering in Faith: Catholic teaching also holds that suffering, though deeply painful and challenging, has a transformative potential in the context of faith. Pope John Paul II spoke of suffering as an opportunity to share in Christ's own suffering and to grow in compassion, humility, and dependence on God. While this doesn’t lessen the physical reality of suffering, it provides a way of finding meaning and spiritual growth within it. Suffering becomes, in some ways, an invitation to draw closer to God and to *one another* .
4. Hope in Eternal Life and Ultimate Justice: Finally, Catholics believe that God’s justice and mercy are fully realized beyond this life. The problem of suffering is seen through the lens of eternity, where God’s ultimate plan includes the end of all suffering and the promise of eternal happiness with Him. From this perspective, even the most intense suffering in this life is a temporary experience in relation to the eternal life God promises.
In sum, while Catholics do not claim to fully understand *all* aspects of suffering, they believe it has a place within God's greater plan for human growth, solidarity, and the eventual restoration of creation. This understanding of suffering requires trust in God’s love and a belief that in the end, all things will be made right."
You misunderstand, God did create a world without suffering, however actions have consequences and the consequences of rebelling against God is the world around us
Without suffering we don't know how lucky we are.
Without the sick there will be no care or knowledge of compassion or love
❤️❤️❤️
@SvenGD Yes, He very well could do this, and yes, He is all good. But I disagree with the claim that what God is doing is not what an all-good being would do.
That’s because I don’t think anyone should assume they know exactly what would be “all good”, because no one is all good, all powerful, and all knowing themself. We can try our best to make the world a better place, of course, but to exclaim for sure that the entire story of humanity, past, present, and future, would be “better” if no “bad things” existed? We are so small that we don’t even know for sure what the terms mean in the very long term. We only see a tiny glimpse of God’s entire plan. We may never know the net outcome.
@SvenGD I think it has to do with the “make” part - maybe there is something better about humans being able to choose between good and evil, than just everyone being happy (which would imply everyone always does the right thing). Maybe the absence of choice would actually be a negative side effect - sort of like a sin of omission. And you’re also assuming that happiness is the highest good - even if it is, there’s so much more and deeper in life than just one emotion
@SvenGD that's the point of the video. We would be robots. Indeed, I don't think we could be truly happy. We wouldn't be able to love. And love brings the authentic happiness...
This brings us to an important point. I perceive this in you, as I've had the same questions you are making. I had trouble with reality and with my own humanity (still battling).
The point is that we are well done. That the desires we have (desire for love, justice, good, freedom, beauty...) are no stupid at all. And that reality is a friend, not an enemy. This is what Jesus teaches us and challenges us to! That life is possitive, with all its joy and its suffering. That it's worth it.
@SvenGD Sadness and pain definitely aren’t. But what ultimately comes out of them, as well as the overcoming of them, may be better than not having them at all. You have to realize there is a long, long future for God to work with.
You also have to explain what you mean by necessary. Necessary for what? Again, we don’t know the ultimate plan, so how could we know what is necessary to achieve this plan in the best way?
People say religion gives life meaning because it gives you an ultimate goal to continually strive towards - in Christianity, that is to know God, love God, and serve God, and in the process, participate in His all-good plan. I don’t see how this makes everything pointless.
Father Mike, you have a gift for taking common, often delicate, spiritual struggles and concerns that many Catholics face and mold it into rational, relatable perspectives. And you show us practical ways to apply them to our daily lives. :Awesome! :))
I was literally just accepting the struggles handed to me while on my way to the chapel to pray for a bit and this video notification came up 😌
I’ve been suffering for over 20 years, when is it enough? Am I to be this depressed and sad person until I die? That defeats the purpose of why I was born. Why if I should only hate life? I didn’t ask for life but I’ll be condemn if I give it back willingly.
Who's the cause of your suffering?
This was a beautiful message. I fell in love with God all over again
There is a toddler of 22 months that got attacked by 5 pitbulls and his face was ripped off. He survived and will have his face disfigured for all his life. That is not related to human free will is a tragedy. Why God allows that horrible experience that brings inmense suffering to the toddler and the parents? I can´t imagine their suffering
I so agree with you.
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”
Genesis 50:20 NKJV
thank you for the video Fr. Mike!
Yeah, God can turn the most heinous evil to good, and that's amazing!
Through what his wizardry magic
Very deep indeed... Amazing. I'm speechless.
Too bad God can't figure out how to save people or bring about good without needing heinous evil to happen first.
@@scotte4765 He doesn't. These people [{including this priest } either are misinformed, ignorant of the Bible or lying. In the case of the priest, probably all three. " For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does He himself try anyone ",James1:13
Lord use this. Thank you Fr Mike for helping us. I get so lost in my struggles. I will say lord use this as I go through suffering.
Ive been told so many times - "You can't experience true happiness without experience sadness" and I do understand that, and love the concept, but for me...a woman that grew up in an abusive home where most days and nights i was scared, having been sexually abused by my babysitters son from age 9 to 12, and just having hardship after hardship from childhood to adulthood - I really, really struggle with the concept, because its just not fair. 😥
I feel like I've suffered enough for a hundred ppl. When do i get a break from it?
Not to long ago my best friend, who has gotten back into the church told me that the abuses and suffering I went through actually got him back into praying and the church. It's not much of a consolation but I can appreciate that something I did or experienced is making someone else happy. It's definitely not fair and I know that I would not be the kind of person I am if it weren't for those experiences. I'm sure you're a wonderful person who is loved by many and your survival and strength may be an inspiration for others. That doesn't make it any easier. As long as you always remember that it wasn't your fault and you did nothing to deserve any of your suffering. Perhaps you can use your experience to guide others and that helping someone else may give you a sense of purpose and value.
I don't totally believe that you need to experience sadness to appreciate happiness. I don't have to be hit by a car to know it's going to be unpleasant or that I'd rather not be hit by a car.
Im sorry for the suffering and Trauma you went through. I've been through that too. Have you healed from it yet or do you still Suffer from it? You should constantly pray and ask God to take away your pain and heal you to the point you can forgive others. Those people who do bad things to us do not have Jesus in their lives. Praying for yourself and others is gift and power that God gave us.
Thanks!
Just went through a tragic mistake and was terminated from my job. It hurt to know my role in what happened. It hurt to hear the top Mgr tell me of his decision to terminate me, despite the extenuating circumstances. But I know God has this. Interviewing for another job in the same field. 🙏🏻
God bless it’s really tough to come through when things are happening.
Keep breathing and be kind to yourself nobody is perfect keep going my friend
I believe in you!!! God is with you ❤️
So if someone gets fired and can't find new job, does that mean God doesn't have this?
And how are you today brother??
@@goranmilic442
No, it doesn't mean that.
Nothing, given to God, is ever wasted. - Fr. Mike Schmidt
I am such a DC injustice fan, recruited by my younger brother. I loved the analogy. You are a good teacher. Thank you
If evil exists because of free will, then either there is evil in Heaven or there is no free will in Heaven.
God allows evil not because He isn’t good but because He wouldn’t dare take away our ability to consent or say “no.”
Your consent was taken away the day that you were born and put into this life without first consenting to the pain and suffering that would be imposed upon us if we were to accept this thing we call life.
And what when you say NO, and he still doesn't listen? What about when you ask him for help and he doesn't dare to do anything?
I did not concern to be born
@@luminouslink777 stop reproducing that is the only way to stop suffering
@@Android-ds9ie if the world suddenly became sterile, there would still be suffering, there would probably be even more suffering tbh
Father that is still a hard one to accept
Yeah, I hear you. Accepting is tough. Growing is trust in Jesus helps. Nobody is saying ya have to like suffering. 😉
I needed this today
This is so timely! Thank you Fr.
Loved the DC reference, this makes it easier for the younger generation to understand this topic . Thank you for this video
Thank you Father, God bless you, the team and your families abundantly always 🙂🙏🏼❤️
18 months ago I was in a auto accident and suffered a broken back. When asked by my younger sister if I was angry about my injuries and their impact on my life I told her first I'm not dead, and I'm not paralyzed. I then told her how when I look back on most of the times bad things happened in my life in most cases the moment preceding these events I was experiencing some level of anger but mostly impatience. I realized at that moment God had just given me insight into how one of my personal weaknesses (willful impatience) contributed to my fate. Since that moment I have striven to be more patient and it has changed my overall stress in life. Not sure what my point is, just wanted to share this event in my life has resulted in my asking God for guidance more often. I still have a long way to go.
It wasn’t my free will to be abused in every way by multiple people while growing up so this video is lost on me.
I hope someday you’ll find real Truth and His Grace my brother. ❤️
✌🙏
I can't imagine for myself, and I respect you highly for saying that. These religious folk disgust me with the way the brush off suffering saying its okay and its for a "greater good".
EXACTLY. Pain DENIES us choice. I need to radically accept God's will? Unless I want to be evil of course, then I can choose away!
It was the free will of the people who abused you, not your free will.
Father Mike you are amazing! The way you answer these questions are simply incredible. God bless you. ❤ I have seen pastors go on for minutes and minutes explaining questions regarding christ but you do it effortlessly with simple explanations ❤
Don’t worry about geeking out Father Mike. It’s amazing to see a Priest being a fan of comic books!!!
A different view to suffering and pain. I think that pain will lead into growth...
I conquered 13 years of deep depression, of searching my way through constant sorrow. I made it through, a long time a felt nothing, I was dead inside... but now I feel much stronger, physically and mentally. I think this was a test, how much I can take... thanks god for all.
Father, could you please make a video for us around the age of 18 about what steps to do to grow in our faith and to understand God’s will for our lives! Please and thank you!
Pray for the Gift of wisdom, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit given in the Sacrament of confirmation. 1Cor 12.
Pray for the Gift of wisdom, one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit. 1Cor 12. King Solomon prayed for this.
Fr Mike.......thank you so much. Your homily is my inspiration and motivation. We love you Father.........
Blessed be God! I have not even finished this video. Real-time right now my lil brother is on his way to the ER right now because of many things most of all polymyositis accompanied by over counter/street drug addiction for management. He has had stomach pains for the last two day's and my mom is on her way from Oracle to take him to ER. Pray for him Please Father Mike and fellow brother and sisters. But God is good as I sit here trying not to worry. This video pop's up. WHAT's THIS? the title made me take an illegal break from work to start and watch, and Pray and the title is exactly what's going through my mind right now with millions....but most of all with my lil brother who has been fighting this rare disease and this drug addiction for 7 years 37 years old and he's wasting away from both sides of the chain. He is not right with Jesus Christ...I was barely saved again in 2018. My mom is 68 and can't handle much more!! HELP!! And then BOOM!! This video...Father starts talking about relating God to Comic books WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW?!?! Tne Holy Spirit----look at my profile photo-----I taught myself to read thru comics, draw, imagine, and in some stories look for a higher purpose in life......Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ!! God Bless my lil brother AJ right now have mercy on his soul in your name in Your Will God, all of this in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit! Amen!!
- Romans 12:17-21 🙏
Praying🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
@@daybydaystonebystone Thanks, God Bless! 🕊
@@-gina1114 Thanks and God Bless. 🕊
I will pray for your brother.. take care and God is with you and your family .
this is a kind word and i love this man’s energy and enthusiasm. I won’t like though, not fully buying the answer he gave but i’ll try to have faith. All good. God bless you too Fr. Mike
I've watched your videos for a couple years and this was a very good one. Thank you Father Mike
My wife was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia at only 58 years old, and I'm slowly losing her. I don't know if I can live without her I would rather be with her than without her for the rest of my life if only it was me that had this instead of her. I love God with all my heart but maybe he doesn't love me the same way I've asked him many times if he could cure her and take me instead but I think that I might not be good enough for his kingdom and I know she is im ready to lose my mind thinking of this every day.
my dad passed away 4 months ago. He had a heart attack in front of me. I know God exists based upon supernatural experiences but it is HARD man. It was so sudden and felt very personal. At the same time, I know Jesus Christ is hope, whether that be that you are able to be with her again someday, just as me with my dad (I am only 25 and my brother is 22), or whether that be that God will walk with you closer if you allow him to regardless of the outcome. I know Jesus is hope though.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.”
Remember that there is a plan.
THANK You Father Mike. God Bless You! Many people ask these questions?
Bless you father I love your talk and you God is real given you spirit of life and the word of life. Blessed are those who comes in his name.father Mike.👏👏
Everyone else: "Oh, wow, that was so touching! I feel renewed!"
Me, taking notes: "OK, so God is like Batman, gotcha"
😂😂😂😂😂😂
😂
His Ascension Press, Bible in a Year is nothing short of life changing.
Batman: Vengeance is mine, I will repay
God: I am vengeance. I am the night.
@@corneliusquincydavenportic1913 I am Vengeance, I am the Knight, I am Batman.
Father Mike you have touched so many hearts and helped so many people including me! My prayer to you is that you never forget the inspiring, powerful words you have! God bless you! 😇
Every time I watch your talks, I fall more in love with the Catholic faith. Your answers and explanations are beautiful and true. Thank you so much!
You have a Catholic Heart. 💕
Your videos are so helpful ! I praise The Lord for your live father Mike! Thanks for sharing these messages with us!
Please explain this to a child in a hospital bed who is suffering in pain from bone cancer.
I was that person. I'm 6 yrs sober from herion. I also was a Xanax addict at times too. But thank God I'm sober now. And I've realized that you can't have good without bad they both need each other. It's like Ying yang. So it comes down to free will. God doesn't effect us and our journey. It's called faith for a reason. I also believe that there's no better way to judge one's faith and life better than allowing free will and all things to freely happen naturally. So I finally got my answer and my faith is stronger than ever. And I also believe God is love and there both the same.
"Why is there suffering?" The problem of evil, the question of evil is answered only once you know WHY you are experiencing this WORLD OF LIMITATION- the most esoteric secret in this entire Universe! And this question has finally been comprehensively answered by The Source of ALL. It makes perfect sense. And I have published this information in several different formats. Click and ye shall find. Elijah has returned, as prophesied. (I communicate only through my sites.)
joshuat5140
I'm glad to know you're sober and hope you continue to have a healthy, drug-free life. But "you can't have good without bad" is nonsense. You don't need drugs or disease in the world for everyone to be healthy. You need them to NOT exist. That's the whole point. That's what health is, and the same goes for other kinds of good like security, happiness, and so on.
@scotte4765 it's not nonsense. I see what your point and opinion is. But I wasn't trying to necessarily say that you got to have both. But they both exist and is used as a measurement. Bad health is what helps one determine one with good health. They compliment each other. So we do need bad to have a measurement of what's good. They can exist without each other. But then neither holds any weight at that point. Maybe I'm not making sense? Because of the way I'm trying to explain my opinion? I'm not the best at trying to explain certain things. But my opinion makes sense.
@@joshuat5140 Thanks for your response. I think I understand what you're trying to say, and I'd still say that it's untrue both the way you originally phrased it and the way you're trying to put across. You're trying to say, I think, that we need to experience the bad in order to have the full measure or understanding of how good the good really is. Correct?
If that captures your point correctly, I'd still say, who cares, why do we need that? The point of health is to BE healthy, not to have a sharp awareness of how unhealthy we might have been. The point of safety and security is to BE safe and secure, not to be worried or even grateful about how unsafe and insecure we once were or could have been. My health, safety, happiness, etc., still hold their full "weight" even if I'm unaware of all the ways they might have been otherwise.
I will say that there is one strong reason we would want that awareness of evil and suffering, and that is for all the cases where we still have some significant risk of experiencing them, so we can take steps to prevent them. But that's a purely practical kind of knowledge that is only valuable up until the moment we eliminate any particular evil. Smallpox was eliminated from the planet in the 1970s. Is anyone born since then worse off in any way for being totally ignorant of what it is like to have that disease? No.
Good and evil don't complement each other. They aren't yin and yang. Whatever we decide good consists of, that's the only thing we want or need, by definition. And if there were a God with the ability to eliminate all kinds of evil and suffering, then in doing so it would make any potential knowledge or lessons we might gain from suffering completely redundant, and that would be a good thing. We only benefit from those lessons because no god is doing that.
@@joshuat5140 but it is not fair that some ppl have it 100 times worse than others.
Nobody (normal people at least) wants to get sick, suffer from disaster and accidents. Free will partially addresses the problem of suffering, but not all suffering. In addition, I believe many people (me included) would prefer to being happy and 'controlled' by God rather than suffering. People living in poverty, suffering in war and hunger would prefer the same.
But everybody does, eventually die, and we are all subjected to laws of physics and biology.
I am sure Jesus himself would've much more preferred if his message was accepted instead of dying on that cross in shame and humiliation.
He wasn't a passive victim though, his actions, his choices lead there. He could've backed out easily, he didn't. Therefore, life is in a way - chose your pain game. Pain will come, this way or another, it's still better if it's paired with a value.
Now, that leaves one gaping question - what about those who cannot chose, who came into this world only to experience suffering, pain, hunger, sickness?
I don't really think there is an honest and intellectually satisfying answer to that.
There are options, however. One is a belief that this really isn't the whole story and that, if the story didn't end with the cross, it doesn't end with suffering.
However, even if one doesn't believe this, there is another option that should oblige everyone - whatever we believe, there should be a sense of obligation in those who have it better towards those who have it worse. Unfortunately, much suffering in this world comes from not wanting to "carry your own cross" so they are just tossed on the backs of others. In other words, there is hunger in this world not because poor can't get enough but because rich are never full.
That had to be the best explanation for that subject i have heard in my 40 yrs of getting to know the Lord for myself. I'm 50 and try my best to answer this when asked. Now ,I'm a comic buff so maybe that helped ,lol. It was just very well put. I would love to express my feelings better but I'm overwhelmed with emotions because I feel it's important to get this thru to people . Now I feel I can do this a little better. God bless you and your channel. 🥰
That was awesome! I've never been able to explain it so clearly and concisely. Thank you.
This video answers so many questions, it is absolutely amazing. There are not many people who can explain suffering, freedom, and the love of Gof like that.
A brazilian here, and now im gonna try to explain what you have said here for all that I know. Thanks. God bless you
Yeah, but Superman is not quite god, and crime is not the end of story. Why do the best of people get cancer or MND, especially young kids? They didn’t choose those illnesses. Nor did anyone else choose for them (at least no earthly creature).
Fantastic spring board for discussion, Father! Superman, Batman, Joker, and then our freedom, our closeness to Christ! God bless you more, Fr. Mike!
Someone in the holocaust summed it up perfectly when they scratched in the wall the words: if there is a God, he will have to beg for my forgiveness."
That is profound.
“Summed it up perfectly” except they didn’t, imagine if God chose to demand forgiveness from us for killing Him when He became man
@@RoachDoggJr106 except you can't prove that event ever happened.
@@RoachDoggJr106 Except that every person who is not born on Friday in 33 AD. Have no involvement with the Death of Jesus.
I love the analogy simple brief and to the point you kept it simple I’m so appreciative thank you so much God bless you and God bless all of us thanks a lot Jan Michaels
After 54 years of physical suffering which led to emotional suffering do you Father believe I ever had a choice and if so what was it?
I understand offering my suffering to God but what’s the difference between that and offering my day, or my life?
This is one of the most profound truths I have stumbled apon... thank you🕊Father S
Thank you kindly...
Over 19,000 people have died from an earthquake in Turkey in the past week. Too bad free will kept God from doing anything to prevent it. The earth's crust needs to have the freedom to choose evil too, I guess.
This is an excellent point!
Excellent video. I always say thank you for the free will and for allowing us to use it even if many times we chose poorly.
We must keep in mind that there is a restoration coming ,,.. that is a time when evil will be gone for good.. It is the promise we hope in.
@American Clippers I think your forgetting what the reward is.... Eternity exchanged for the blink of an eye....
We all feel this deep pain and the darkness can obscure the light at times.. But remember that we are on a pilgrimage and Our Lady of Lourdes said " there is no happiness in this life only in the next" and Paul said No Mind has fathomed what the Lord has prepared for those that Love him.... Hang in there friend.. The Dawn is coming and an end is in sight otherwise Jesus would not have told Saint Faustina to prepare..
Besides what do we know about suffering really? surely we are taking our eye of the prize and placing it on our selves.. satan is a sneaky one..be careful of him because this can turn to blaming God ... that's what got Adam thrown out.. He told God he eat the fruit because it was Him that gave him the Woman so it was really his fault the first Blasphemy..
I will say a Prayer for your Spirit to be lifted
God Bless.
I really liked your explanation of evil and suffering. It was very beautiful. I needed to hear those words. It made me cry. Thank you! It was very comforting.
While I was at the bedside of my dying grandmother, who while in a coma was still writhing in pain, a priest told me she was suffering for someone else’s sin. That was the beginning of my break with the Catholic Church.
So sorry for losing your G-mom after much suffering and now Gods church over one priest that assumed you understood a deep and wide mystery
@@joselandin4494How can an old lady in a coma be like Christ suffering and dying for others? My grandmother was also not Job. Please explain this mystery.
Loosing your Faith when it is needed most erases the point of having it in the first place, but is very real for a lot of people, including you. What the priest meant is that by the sin of the first 2 humans that God placed on earth, Adam and Eve, the rest of humanity that follows after carries with them something called Original Sin. Its the reason that we are bound to the punishment of our first parents because of how serious the sin was. These punishments include death, pain, labor, etc anything that we might consider "bad". When we are born, we have OG sin, and it can only be erased with Baptism. But the scar is still there, and we still endure the hardships as punishment. We Do deserve it though, because whether or not we are Baptized, we still commit personal sins (Personal sin, as opposed to Original. The ones we commit by our owns thought or actions). But God did not leave us astray. He had a backup plan in the form of Jesus Christ, and his Passion, Death, and Resurrection to beat death and sin, and open the gates of heaven as they were before Original Sin. He now allows those who die, like your grandmother, the ability to go to Heaven if they proved they were worthy of it by remaining steadfast in Faith and God's Law's on Earth.
As for "being like Christ" We will certainly never be scourged and have to carry one hundred pounds of wood up a 5 mile hill and then be nailed to it by our hands and feet and then die for someone who already rejected you. Christ is not only God, so he didn't have to do it like that at all, but as a 100% human he choose to go through exactly that, something so painful and horrible for just for our salvation. Compared to this we go through very small things, but so often we still manage to loose faith and curse or reject God. All we can do on this Earth is accept the suffering God sends our way (Always things we can manage if we have faith in Him) and offer it up back to Christ, who suffered the worst of all so that we didn't have to pay the full price of our sin. In the bigger picture, the suffering we go through is really only arduous and impassible if we let it ruin our relationship with God.
I needed to hear this message today. Thank you! ❤🙏❤
I still don’t understand. Why do some people suffer more?
It's a good question. It's possible to go through life not ever having to suffer much more then toothache. Most people see their children grow but some see them dying. I don't think it's ever possible to answer those questions in any meaningful theoretical ways. I can only say that I've met people who suffered enormously and yet they were, I can't explain how, much more happier then me.
Now, I am not talking about that cheerful happiness of lucky go around, I am not even talking about a constant stream of positive emotions. I am talking about that deep, deep sense of peace and empathy they were radiating, I am talking about their sense of purpose and how they actively made the world a better place.
There are, however, those who became bitter, cynical, a ruin - even if they were active believers.
So, it's not suffering alone that makes it or breaks it but, it seems to me, it's not religion by itself either.
Me neither. God is not fair.
Fr. Mike good to see your nerding out!
I definitely understood it so much better through the picture you gave us and now I understand what this platitude of "But He gave us free will...!" means. Thank you, you explained that well.
I'm still not satisfied with the answer though because what about the free will of the child that gets abused, what about the free will of the cat that gets set fire to? I could go on with this but while you could say "Well see, this is what happens when you take away free will, this is how horrible it is when this gets violated." and that would hold a certain truth to it. You are still left feeling that something is wrong. Deeply wrong. People who harm the innocent are so far beyond what we can heal today that I do not see any sense in allowing them to exert their free will. There is no reason to believe that they will turn towards goodness in any way.
So the question still stands, why does God allow this and why does He allow innocent people to get killed or hurt by natural catastrophes or illnesses.
@J D what to believe? I don't know anymore.... I want to believe in something....more questions than answers.
Pregnant with unborn child took me off😁... but thank you for this overall msg Fr.
but what about kids who suffer, and poverty
I would add following:
1) ultimate force is LOVE
ultimate law is FREEDOM (FREEWILL)
because
There is no LOVE without FREEWILL, couse one can't love someone by force, it is not love anymore, it needs to be freewill bothsides;
2) suffering could be:
a) oportunity to grow
b) oportunity to repent (turnaway from evil)
c) oportunity to do sacriface to God for greather Good.
If freedom requires evil, how come there is freedom in heaven and yet no evil. Why not make the same thing on earth? Is that impossible for god?
This Is Amazing....& Confirms A Video A Recently Posted About This Same Topic. THANK U QUEEN 👸 For Bringing Truth & Clarity By Posting This Divine Message ...❤️💯🙏🕊
THANKYOU Father Mike💜✝️💜
I understand more now:
if GOD took away our free will we would be like robots. Adam and Eve had free will - from the beginning GOD gave us free will because for example: if someone has a knife to your throat and tells you, "say you love me," you may say it but obviously you are not saying it out of love but fear similarly, if our free will is taken away we do not have the ability to love by choice and how truly SAD that would be. The Power of LOVE conquers All is True because see JESUS on The Cross
Keep on keeping on🙏✝️🙏 I'm trying!
Love You Father💕
Love the geek out Fr. Mike!!!
Every time Fr. Mike says his intro, I have to double check to make sure my playback speed isn't set to 1.25x 😂
Kristine Ytem haha, I did just that at the beginning of this video! 🤣
I am from Poland and learn English and always set 0.75 😁
He is a very young 45 year old. He relates to young and all. Prayers and blessings for him and his family
Upon liberating Mautthaussen Concentration Camp, they found written on a cell wall by a Jewish prisoner -
"If there is a God, he will have to beg for my forgiveness."
At Auschwitz - Birkenau they found -
"There is Auschwitz, so there is no God."
I understand. Completely.
How a God of love could allow that is reprehensible. 😢😩😵🥵🤮
This makes things more digestive when it comes to understanding why God allows cancer and other such scenarios.
The idea of "using" suffering reminds me of Deathly Hallows Part 2 **Spoiler Alert** when Snape is dying and he's crying because of it and he tells Harry "take it" to take his tear so he can use it. Harry then uses that magical tear to experience Snapes past and memories. Not only does Harry gain compassion for Snape because of the this, but knowledge of Snapes past and suffering eventually helps lead Harry and his friends to victory over the dark lord. Pain and suffering is powerful and can be used for good if we let it.
My lower back cries out "Use me Lord!" Get those guys in Bldg 10 of CDC who study new medicines to thinking creatively and ethically so that lumbar cartilage can be repaired safely. Just got my other knee replaced and that pain is gone but the lower back pain persists. I am but a sinner Lord. Have Mercy on me.
What about the freedom of trafficked kids? Tortured and murdered children? They have no freedom and they suffer tremendously. God allows that. For meaning? What meaning would that be? Other then some pervert getting his kicks or someone cashing in on selling them? I get angry with God for this. Infact, I don't know if I really believe in God anymore.
If evil exists because of free will, then either there is evil in Heaven or there is no free will in Heaven.
Loved the reference With Injustice! Made me remember a time when I Heard a priest evangelizing with The Lord of the Rings, any good story could be related with the story of salvation. Thank father Mike, God bless you!
May I ask... Whose freedome is taken away if God prevents children from starving to death?
I don't mean to be disrespectful, just trying to learn and understand different points of view
Now now there’s no place for logic and reason with these religious nuts
God gave us a free will - the ability to make choices on our own. God created us to love him, but he loves us as well. Without freedom we cannot love. If someone tells you to love them, but brings a knife to your throat, can you truly love them? Love is free. So God gave us a free will so that we could choose to love him. But obviously there has to be an alternative, since its a choice. Love or hate (hate can also be looked at as rejection or ignorance). If God came down every time we faced adversity, sadness, depression, hunger, pain etc. and he just fixes it for us, then we would be forced to believe in and "love" God. There would no way you could possibly say that God is not real or that he isn't active. And therefore you couldn't deny him and hate him, you could only love him, and then it wouldn't be love at all.
@@Mooskellunge but in the Bible god says ask and you shall receive... so what you say isn't consistent with the Bible. And kids starving to death doesn't give them much chance to believe in God if they're dead...
@@santiagoblandon3022 God says "ask and you shall receive" so why when I decide I want a Lamborghini in my driveway within the next 20 minutes, and I ask God to make it so, It does not happen? Maybe what we want is not within God's plan? Maybe part of this plan is suffering, maybe it involves innocent people dying? Jesus Christ was innocent, he was still crucified though, right? Who crucified Jesus? People crucified him.
He created humans so he knows what is best for them in the end, right? This earth will come to pass, so we cannot rely on it for happiness, comfort, fulfillment, and answers. We so often cannot see the good in evil, because we so often chose it ourselves.
@@Mooskellunge that's my point. So it is god's will for us to suffer. Even innocent children who haven't even had the chance to decide for a belief. Many don't even have the chance to learn how to speak and they die in terrible suffering, and it is god's will... Why? What's the point of children suffering. I don't get it.
Why would a merciful god send his son to the slaughter? "To cleanse our sins" but if god is all-powerful why does he have to send his son to the slaughter to forget our sins?
In the old testament god in multiple occasions mass murder people... Is that god's will? That we can sin so he can punish us? If we have free will then why the punishment? And why does an all-merciful god punishes us?
Sorry if i am insulting or anything like that. It's just that i don't get it. I don't understand.
I was thinking about why suffering, why evil, I prayed for answer and this came to me in recommended.
Thank you Lord! Also great video!
Can I give up my free will in exchange for a complete lack of suffering? I want to be an obedient slave who loves and serves God all the time, but I don't feel any love for Him. I'm just terrified of Him. :( What do I do?
Or we can have the best of both worlds since god is technically cable of doing literally anything, yet doesn't for no good reason
Father thank you please pray for my friend who lost his mom at age 14 hes now 27 but still grieving and suffering to this day please pray for him
What i don't understand is that God doesn't stop evil because he doesn't want to take away people's freedom...however what freedom did the victims have while suffering??? I don't get it
I agree. Also, if evil exists because of free will, then either there is evil in Heaven or there is no free will in Heaven.
@@goranmilic442 I would say no free will in heaven.
@@theflightcampaign Which would mean there is no need for free will on Earth.
My mom is in bed since 2019 due to stroke. I still hope and believe she will be fine by the mercy of God. Please pray for her healing. I cant see bed bound people suffering. It is the worst thing ever. 😭😭😓😓😓 my moms name is Glory.. please pray 🙏