Comments on: Wednesday, 10/18/17 — The Difficult Path That Leads to Growth https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/ DAILY MASS READINGS AND REFLECTIONS @ ACATHOLIC.ORG Wed, 18 Oct 2017 18:54:30 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 By: O https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8917 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 18:54:30 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8917 Hello Steven (or is it Stephen ?).

Thank you for the relection.

I also thank Uchenna and Laura for the reminders. Because in these modern days there is the ever rampant misconception that following Jesus Christ will be stress free.

God bless

]]> By: Mark Misencik https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8915 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 14:43:48 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8915 Hey Steven,

I suppose we all have bumped into a bully at one time or another and we had a choice to make, either try to avoid the situation and leave or stand our ground. Sometime in an instant we have to assess the situation and make a decision on what to do. In the end, I don’t think it matters how one reacted, the bigger question would be why did the bully acted the way he or she did. Pray for them.

As for suffering innocent suffering, look no further than the Book of Job. Talk about a difficult path. St Paul may have questioned Alexander’s motives and suggested God will give Alexander a just punishment (a subtle form of revenge?), but there was probably a reason Alexander did what he did. On the other hand, look at Job, what did Job do? Nothing. More importantly, who paid for Job’s suffering? God (Jb 42:10). Something for you to look forward to, your suffering does not go unnoticed.

Mark

Mark

]]> By: El https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8914 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 12:42:17 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8914 Thank you for sharing painful memories of bullying, Steven. I, too, have been bullied….for my small stature and for being Asian. I feel for the children of this day and age because bullying has been taken to another level with the onslaught of social media. When we were kids, not being invited to a party or being rejected in some way was not as broadcasted as it is today. It seems that more people, nowadays, suffer from loneliness, feeling ostracized, iinsecure and hopeless. Your reflection reminds us to stand firm against Satan, who is the ultimate, relentless bully.

]]> By: Laura https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8913 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 12:14:43 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8913 Thank you, Steven! Just the encouragement I needed to hear this morning. It reminds me of the passage in the book of Sirach: “My son, when you seek to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials.” Sir 2:1. But it also tells us in the next line to persevere and not be alarmed when trials come. Since my reversion I have seen this play out in my life. Wonderful reflection, thank you, and God bless all.

]]> By: Robert " Bob" Burford https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8912 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:23:41 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8912 Yes I too was bullied. When he would bully some smaller kid I would open my big mouth because everyone else was afraid of the dude, but I spoke out. Luckily I had some big, big friends that would step into the fray, but they were not always around and I had the same thing happen to me. One of those bullies was expelled and later in life he died in a parachute accident. Not sure if he changed before he died. I hope he did. Never fear God is here. Justice will always prevail. Always speak out. The earthly beatings we take are better than letting a bully take control of peoples lives. Hitler would have never succeeded if someone had not spoken out. God Bless. Great reflection.

]]> By: Gale https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8911 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 09:45:02 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8911 I stood up to the bullies yesterday. As a 60 something year old that still happens. I am waiting for the shoe to fall and maybe get fired or reprimanded. But am reassured this morning. Please pray for me and pray especially for the bullies.

]]> By: Uchenna https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8910 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 07:51:49 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8910 This message should be replayed in this generation of prospertiy teaching. Following Christ is in line with a heavenly target, which doesn’t mean there won’t be troubles and obstacles along the way. According to a song we sang in mass this past Sunday, ‘The God of the mountain is the God of the valley…’May we truly persevere in God’s work till the very end,Amen.

]]> By: Watete https://www.acatholic.org/wednesday-101817-the-difficult-path-that-leads-to-growth/#comment-8909 Wed, 18 Oct 2017 05:47:57 +0000 http://www.acatholic.org/?p=61710#comment-8909 Very true Steve. Following Christ doesn’t assure earthly comfort! Thank you. God bless you.

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