The Bible Study Evangelista

The word “compassion” means to suffer with. More than Jesus’ healings, teachings, and even post resurrection-appearances, the Bible emphasizes Jesus’ passion. Theological reflection suggests that communion in suffering, “compassion,” is really what Jesus offers humankind. It seems the gospel writers, particularly, were most inspired to remember that Jesus came to be with us, inseparably. No illness, no loss, no death, no suffering, no storm, no scandal, no sin, no unruly feelings, no craziness, no darkness of spirit, no self-hate can drive him away. Not just over us or ahead of us – but with us – he saves us. Job teaches us that when others are going through trials, the last thing they need is for us to tell them what we think we know about God or to try and speak on God’s behalf. Instead, in our service to those who grieve, we imitate Christ, and simply “suffer with” them. Come with Us

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As we begin our series, we discover the author of Job seems to be attempting to explain to his audience how the Babylonian catastrophe could happen to “good” people too, why faithful Hebrews can suffer with the bad, how the innocent get caught up in the painful judgments of the wicked. I certainly had no idea that any of our current events would occur when I chose this new study series, but I think the state of our Church is exactly why the Holy Spirit guided us to this biblical contemplation of suffering. Perhaps He is guiding us away from a focus on our Church’s catastrophe, to that of our individual faith and purity, and back again to a collective view. How faithful are we, as the American Catholic Church? How and why am I suffering, myself? How alive is my personal faith, really? When was my faith pur-er and real-er? Job is a pointed finger into the awfullest parts of our lives. I think we are going to find a great deal of hope in this series for these worrisome times. Episode Reso