Re your video (Sunday Forum)

by georgeh , Monday, May 18, 2009, 18:51 (1469 days ago) @ Brian Coyne

I have been thinking about physical and spiritual pains like Bryan’s and Stephen’s.

On Backs—I also have back troubles at times. I feel stress, overweight, cold weather, lack of proper exercise and of course genetics, can all contribute.
Whilst in case of slipped disc a chiropractor can help, I find regular floor exercises for spines, even when you’re well, can help.

On Spiritual—I tend to agree with you Bryan as you say---

Do the
» victims of abuse ever rid themselves entirely of the pain? In one sense,
» with good counselling, I think the answer is yes. I just look at my own
» wife to appreciate that. At another level though the scars are never
» completely erased. It changes one's entire outlook on life. Ultimately
» though the choice is ours regarding all the pains and setbacks we
» experience in life as to whether we melt the pain and suffering into gold
» or whether we let it melt us. Ultimately also, I think that is the
» essential message of Jesus Christ and his life. Resurrection follows
» suffering and death. Ann Thompson to me is a person who helps illustrate
» that. The publication date for her book draws closer by the day. The
» pathway to recovery — and enjoying the last laugh — is long and itself
» tortuous. There are no "quick fixes".

I also feel that our RC Leaders could further ease pains in this area, if they continually looked at their abuse, not so much in the areas of sexual abuse, but in their exercise of power.
A Jesuit once remarked that “The greater failing of a priest or bishop is not so much getting into bed with a woman, but getting to bed with power”
Also whatever pains we might have, we need to pray for each other’s healing even if that healing is just the courage to accept what Bryan quoted above.

georgeh