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
