Suffering and the Christian Life

Suffering is an inescapable aspect of human experience, and one that raises many questions: Why do we suffer? Where is God in our suffering? Who is this God that allows us to suffer? Where is God s purpose in our suffering? While the negativity of suffering creates many quandaries, the Christian tradition has also viewed suffering in positive terms. Jesus suffering has been seen as salvific; indeed, his followers are called to take up their cross and follow him. The contributors to this volume, all distinguished Catholic theologians, confront these problems, drawing on the wisdom of the scriptures, Christian doctrine, and contemporary experience to explore the problem of suffering and its meaning for the Christian life. Contributors: Daniel J. Harrington, S.J.; M. Dennis Hamm, S.J.; Susan A. Calef; Richard W. Miller; Michael J. Himes; Elizabeth A. Dreyer