Sitting in church and this little gem was read, so affliction builds character which is suppose to bring hope, is this required or just one of the means to the end. And does it mean real affliction or does it also include minor annoying problems. Maybe that is the problem with hope and youth, they don't really need God, we have kept them safe, secure, fed, clothed, loved and they want for nothing, including God.
I do know that crisis' can be a faith building experience, they certainly get you back on the praying wagon. But is deep, unshakable faith, the kind that provides assurance, possible without struggle? I think of youth experiences and how most use familial love to build the emotional connections and steer teens to Christ, these last only a short while and without further nurturing lose their impact, it gets them started but something more is needed to sustain the faith. Must they face the devil, via affliction , loss, or some other devastation? We have tools, we have Eucharist, we have scripture, we have tradition, to nourish and build upon the early love fest, but can each of us also expect a "test."
Seems a bit frightening, the images are there, the potter molding, the smith purifying the gold, the narrow gate.
I know it is frighting, my sister just told me she has cancer...I don't like tests!
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