Comments on: Friday, August 24, 2018 – Symbolism and The Fig Tree | From Adam to Jesus https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/ DAILY MASS READINGS AND REFLECTIONS @ ACATHOLIC.ORG Sat, 25 Aug 2018 19:26:50 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: Anonymous https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12645 Sat, 25 Aug 2018 19:26:50 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12645 Carolyn – Thank you for your reflection.

Jack – I appreciate your comments/questions. Almost two month ago on July 1st, a very good reflection on this web site was written by Joseph LaCombe. Interestingly, a couple of days before this reflection appeared, I visited a friend, a non-Catholic and a man of deep faith. We had an interesting discussion – a mini debate – about bad things that happen in life. My friend felt that God wants bad things to happen so that good can come out of it. I disagreed with that, and pointed out that:
1) God gives us free will
2) God can/does utilize the outcomes of the bad decisions we make through our free will to do good

A couple of days later, in his reflection of July 1st, Joseph LaCombe did a good job in capturing my sentiments, as he went into good detail. I would encourage to read his reflection:

Sunday, July 1st, 2018 – Just Have Faith
Joseph LaCombe: http://www.acatholic.org/sunday-7-1-18-just-have-faith/

Franciscan Media, a nonprofit ministry of the Franciscan Friars, have what they call Friar Friday, which is a weekly feature showcasing the best in
Franciscan Spirituality. Yesterday feature’s is titled, “Why does God let bad things happen to good people?”. In the video, Brother Casey Cole, OFM, points out that it is unrealistic for us to think that everything will work out perfectly for us — oftentimes we have a false hope when it comes to life. Life will almost constantly throw challenges our way and the key is to clear our minds and hearts of expectations and allow God to lead us.

I would also encourage you to watch Brother Cole’s brief video on Franciscan Media’s web site: https://blog.franciscanmedia.org/franciscan-spirit/why-do-bad-things-happen-to-good-people?utm_campaign=Friar%20Friday%20Videos&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=65382485&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9wXhujYYkkb22NB13uCzGKy7fbZ4vWp8hK97xBD8hyZGrg669vwIM_Ji_8UB0DZtxJ1lYt7XScbWdS0VLVls7q5X4E4Q&_hsmi=65382485

Alternatively, you can watch the video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fr1HLJNeeSs

Jack, may God bless you, bless our church, and especially bless the victims and families of sexual abuse. Please say a prayer for our church.

]]> By: Anonymous https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12637 Sat, 25 Aug 2018 04:07:50 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12637 Please, pray for my husband who cannot forgive and forget. Who is so tormented by past wounds he can’t move forward to live in peace and love.

]]> By: Brigid https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12636 Sat, 25 Aug 2018 01:36:51 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12636 Jack, much as we may wish it, God is not a helicopter parent. We are given all we need to live our lives, and more love than we could ever hope for; the consequences of what we do, for good or evil, are our responsibility.

]]> By: Siony https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12634 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 22:51:06 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12634 Pls pray for the health of my husband.God bless

]]> By: Martin Kyere https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12633 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 18:09:27 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12633 Amen and Amen thanks so much for the word and it inspiration MS, ND. Please help me in prayers to complete my journey as a servent of our Lord Jesus Christ, since I am human being sometimes I loose hope in me, and a sickness also makes me frustrated, sometimes I cannot concentrate on things I do. God bless you for your preaching.

]]> By: Anonymous https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12629 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 15:30:23 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12629 Please pray for me to perform well in my new school, for my health and my sister. I need guidance in my personal choice, patience and peace. Thank you ? Hod Bless you

]]> By: Al https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12627 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 13:25:36 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12627 I asked the same question as Jack did many years ago to a very good friend of mine, Fr. Richard Laverdiere. By this time he had been a priest for more than 50 years. His answer I’ve never forgotten.
God is the first “cause”. In other words He places in our minds and hearts good thoughts, good intentions, good actions.
Man is the second “cause”. God has placed the first cause within us to carry out as intended but as creatures created with a free spirit we can choose to follow the nudges received from Him or we can choose to respond differently.
Yes I believe God and His angels can intervene to stop evil actions or events but then where is the line drawn between free will and predestination? That is a bigger question than most of can answer. I’ll leave that to the mystery of God knowing that, in this life, I won’t “get it” completely.

]]> By: VIVIAN TIDD https://www.acatholic.org/friday-92916-symbolism-and-the-fig-tree-from-adam-to-jesus/#comment-12626 Fri, 24 Aug 2018 13:14:37 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61576#comment-12626 My Prayer Life has become more educated and fulfilling. It is where I find my most comfort when I am not at Mass.
I ask for your prayers of Strength, Healing and Complete Recovery as I face my second Brain Surgery.

]]>