Ah, yes, Salvifici Doloris, a beautiful apostolic letter!
But it's better translated as Salvific Suffering...as it is not simply referring to physical or psychic pain, but all manner of suffering.
(Oh, and by the way) 2 Cor 1:5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
Col 1:24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church
It's truly amazing what scripture actually says when one takes the time to read it!
NOBODY likes a smart alec!
(pssst: Salvation! He's right!)
It's lines like Col 1:24 that ought to be a clue to everyone who presents a nice tidy schemeabout grace and merit, works and faith. There's the simple proclamation that God Loves YOU! and has done everything necessary for your salvation. But then there's the working out of this gift in real time and real life, and that's where the conversation gets all confusing.
Of course, What I've noticed here in this thread is that when I make what I think would be the clearest examples, those on the other side make no response. I thought the child who buys her father a present with his money, the experience of physical therapy, or what it means to worship the great King above all gods -- all these would not so much persuade as make explain the outskirts of what we think.
But evidently I have accomplished nothing.
Tra la. God is great, and I'm not, and I like it that way.
Thanks, mark. Now you know my Latin is lacking -- only took it in high school. LOL!
(Last time I will ever try to translate some Latin on FR! LOL!)
Is there a website somewhere that would do my simple mind in this area, a favor, by translating the Latin to English?