17 November 2002
By
Fr. Michael Dolan
This week’s issue: The Problem of Pain
Having recently lost my mother and brother and felt the pain of so many others, I am called to look in some depth at the problem of pain, the pain of illness, and the pain of loss. It is a tremendous problem, which is peculiar in that when we are experiencing it, it is all consuming, but when we are free of it, it is of little or no concern.
That is not to minimize the problem of pain, since that same paradox seems to surface with many, if not all the major issues in life. Consider Rabbi Heschel’s statement that “God is of no importance unless He is of supreme importance; or when C. S. Lewis said that Jesus can be completely ignored or totally accepted, but He can never be given intermediate status. Both testified to the need for God to be always an integral part of the believer’s life. Yet we, who profess to be believers, like to put God in a box, which we open when the need is dire, and keep closed at all other times…a horrible way to treat the best friend we’ll ever have!
Feeling the pain of a mother’s loss, I came upon C. S. Lewis’ book, The Problem of Pain. It has been an illuminating and comforting read. Lewis starts with the premise that we are not “all right”, as current mindset would have us believe. As a matter of fact we have much to be ashamed of. He says, “That we actually are, at present, creatures whose character must be, in some respects, a horror to God, as it is, and when we really see it, a horror to ourselves."
If you ever get over that initial condemning indictment, which Lewis sees as a prerequisite to understanding the Christian message, curb your indignation and think for a few moments—his premise is right on. For instance, I am told that there are about 150 wars, revolutions or acts of terrorism going on as we speak, divorce is up, church going is down, and there is no sense of shame to bring people to reconciliation. Abortion is rampant and legal, we make human embryos for experimental purposes, we’re addicted to drugs (legal as well as illegal) including alcohol, and promiscuity is out of control. AIDS is devastating whole populations and that’s not all by a long shot. Worse perhaps is that anyone who says “Whoa! Let’s set priorities and assume responsibility for our actions,” is considered a radical or a fanatic. Not a pretty picture.
But there is hope, for Christ did say He came as physician to the spiritually sick, not to the righteous. I have often wondered whether Christ on that occasion was not being facetious. There seems to be no question that the incident wherein that answer was given was a tense encounter with self-righteous individuals. Was He not really saying that He came for those who knew they were sick, and wanted to do something about it, but that He had little or nothing for the self-righteous who didn’t know they were sick or refused to listen to His healing words?
God bless you,
Father Mike
Next Week: “Is there any possible good in pain?”