Discernment

HeavenlyHosts · Apr 21, 2025

Pax Prima said: ↑

Just to add a bit to the conversation, oftentimes sickness comes up as a remedy for the purification of the passions. The burnt log analogy by St. John of the Cross comes to mind. Brother Lawrence spoke to this as well in his letters regarding a young man who had recently entered into religious life and became sick. It is a huge recurring theme in the writings of the Desert Fathers and the Orthodox church in the Hesychastic tradition.

Also, there is another kind of suffering that happens which pays the way for others. Often the parents of saints had suffered the loss of many other children. I remember with Padre Pio he was constantly sick and couldn't leave his home until someone offered to intervene and take on Padre Pio's suffering to some degree.

As well, I remember Fr. Ripperger discussed how a woman was diabolically oppressed and God allowed it as a means of reparation for a certain sin in that diocese. When the church in that diocese did reparations in regards to that sin, which was undisclosed by Fr. Ripperger, she allegedly returned to normal.

I guess what I am getting at is that not everything in regards to sickness and suffering is due to a person having sinned. Sometimes it is purification, sometimes it is for other people, or reparation of collective sin and I am sure there are many more details/complexities. So, as Border collie said, it takes a strong gift of discernment to be able to see this stuff for what it is. If I recall correctly, many saints encourage people to persevere and keep carrying on when a healing doesn't happen immediately. Telling someone no outright would seem to be reserved for those with bad or ignorant intentions.

I also recall that with St. Charbel when he would pray for people they would heal. When asked how he did it, he merely said I pray for them and they heal. No special formula or anything like that. Because others would pray and nothing would happen. Which seems to add another level of complexity.
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Yes, St. Charbel was unique.

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Discernment

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