What is love and suffering wrkst

Erich Fromm

" love is the active concern for the life and growth of that which you love"

William O'Malley

"Love is not a feeling; it is an act of the will. Love takes over when the feelings fail, when the loved one is no longer likeable

1 Corinthians 13

"Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous or envious"

Necessary losses in life

Inevitable- cause a certain degree of suffering and pain Ex: leaving mothers womb, los of baby teeth, leave home to go to school, leave childhood to become adolescent to become adult - without necessary losses we cannot grow

Natural causes

necessary losses as we grow and change disharmony in nature ever since evil entered the world - earthquakes, floods, disease, etc

Human imperfection

no evil intent, just incomplete, imperfect human knowledge or skill or attentiveness- cigarette smoking in days before harmful affects were known

We can allow suffering to

Defeat us, make us bitter, cynical, vengeful. Or we can choose (free will) to follow the example of Jesus and use it as an opportunity for something good

Storge

Affection, liking

Free will

Bad moral choices- sin

Karl Koch

Love means to seek and then foster the good of others in the context of their concrete situations

Agape

NOT a feeling but a decision to do whatever is in the best interest of the other person; unselfish, unconditional

Sources of suffering

Natural causes, human imperfection, free will

Eros

Romantic love, sexual attraction

Title for Jesus; offering suffering for the sake of others

Suffering servant

Phile

bond of trust between family members and close friends