The Cordial Catholic

241: Why We Suffer, And What to Do About It (w/ Dr. Mark Giszczak)

Mar 6, 2024

Dr. Mark Giszczak, a theologian from the Augustine Institute, dives into the complex topic of suffering. He explores why God permits suffering and how it contrasts with atheistic views, offering unique insights from the Catholic faith. The discussion covers the distinction between human-caused suffering and natural disasters, emphasizing the pursuit of justice through divine grace. Giszczak also shares how navigating suffering can lead to spiritual growth and a fulfilling relationship with God, urging listeners to find purpose in their pain.

01:05:56

Episode guests

Mark Giszczak

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Suffering is not merely viewed as evil in Catholic faith, but rather as an opportunity for spiritual growth and transformation.

The balance between divine justice and mercy in Catholic teachings provides believers with hope and reassurance amid their suffering.

Offering up personal suffering as participation in Christ's sacrifice enriches the faith experience and fosters connection within the Church community.

Deep dives

The Impact of Tradition and Scripture

The quest for understanding the relationship between scripture and tradition plays a significant role in the Catholic faith. The journey begins with the realization that many preconceived notions about Catholic beliefs stem from misinformation and misunderstandings. By delving into Catholic sources and authors, individuals can discover a nuanced perspective on faith that challenges common Protestant views. This exploration emphasizes the richness of Catholic teachings, especially the integration of both scripture and tradition in shaping belief.

Intro

6min

The Challenge of Suffering in Faith

14min

The Nature of Suffering

22min

Navigating the Intersection of Joy and Suffering in Faith

4min

Faith, Suffering, and Divine Justice

16min

Wrapping Up a Meaningful Conversation on Suffering

3min

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the wonderful Dr. Mark Giszczak from the Augustine Institute Graduate School of Theology to talk about suffering.

It's a perennial topic and, as I suggest in this episode, one of the top reasons that I hear about for people leaving the Catholic faith. Why does God allow so much suffering? What's the difference between human-caused suffering and natural disasters and sicknesses? How is suffering just? And, incredibly, how does the Catholic faith actually propose the best framework for understanding evil and suffering – something that atheists simply can't explain.

This and much more in this week's episode.

For more from Dr. Giszczak check out his book Suffering: What Every Catholic Should Know from the Augustine Institute and Ignatius Press.

And visit Dr. Giszczak's website, Catholic Bible Student.

For more, visit The Cordial Catholic. Send your feedback to cordialcatholic@gmail.com.

Sign up for our newsletter for my reflections on episodes, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive contests!

To watch this and other episodes please visit (and subscribe to!) our YouTube channel.

Please consider financially supporting this show!

For more information visit the Patreon page. All patrons receive access to exclusive content and if you can give $5/mo or more you'll also be entered into monthly draws for fantastic books hand-picked by me.

If you'd like to give a one-time donation to The Cordial Catholic, you can visit the PayPal page.

Thank you to those already supporting the show!

This show is brought to you in a special way by our Patreon Co-Producers. Thank you to Elli and Tom, Fr. Larry, Gina, Heather, James, Michelle, Noah, Robert, Shelby, Susanne and Victor, and William.

Beyond The Beacon

Join Bishop Kevin Sweeney and Communications Director Jai Agnish of the Diocese of...

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify

Support the show

Find and follow The Cordial Catholic on social media:

Instagram: @cordialcatholic
Twitter: @cordialcatholic
YouTube: /thecordialcatholic
Facebook: The Cordial Catholic
TikTok: @cordialcatholic