Really? Show us the chapter and verse that says that suffering pays for sin. Where does either God or Jesus tell us to suffer to pay for our sins or purify us, or that suffering does that.
Christ suffered for us. And the Father found it meaningful!
Yeah. The Catholic God is happy over making people suffer. It's like Catholics think it impresses or pleases God that we suffer.
OK, so I'll bite anyway. HOW did God find Christ's suffering *meaningful*?
And do you think that it was Christ's suffering that paid for our sin or His death that paid for our sin?
metmom, you surprise me. Did Christ not suffer to pay for our sin? Did Christ not suffer to purify our guilt? Did God the Father not find that a meaningful sacrifice?
If Christ’s suffering did not help pay for our sin, there would have been no reason for Him to suffer. He could have been quickly murdered without any suffering, if only death was required. But he suffered. Why? Because suffering for God’s sake matters. Loving God enough to suffer for Him matters. Christ’s death saved us, but He suffered for some reason. We know Christ valued endurance: Matt 10:22
And how many times in Scripture do we read about God tempering those He loves like steel in the fire? Suffering well for love of God matters to Him!
This is pretty basic. St. Paul talks often about how he suffers for Christ. I’m not sure what your problem with it is, but you will find your answer in the New Testament.
Time for bed here, but I believe I’ve answered your questions.
I believe I’ve proved in my posts that many serious Catholics love and read the Bible.
I believe I’ve proved in my posts that I know Scripture as well as you do.
I think I’ve given you serious food for thought, should you choose to think. And I hope you will. I will gladly mail you a parish bulletin so you can see we read the Bible for yourself.
I’m not sure why a happy and fulfilled Catholic generates such heat on these threads, but I will continue to check in from time to time. I only know that there is a depth and glory and beauty to Catholicism that cannot be matched by any man-made religion. I can feel Christ’s touch on every part of the Mass. And I know that I am supposed to share that joy with everyone I meet.