God & suffering.

Joseph Komonchak writes that "it certainly was not God's will" that Christ suffer the violence of the cross. Yet many saints have seen suffering as part of God's plan. St. Paul of the Cross, the founder of the Passionists, believed that "there is no other person or force outside of God's control who is bringing about suffering." He said that we must accept our suffering in silence and surrender to the love of God in the same way that Jesus accepted the will of God when he was crucified. More recently, Mother Teresa of Calcutta told a beggar dying of cancer that his stabs of pain were kisses from God, who loved him.

FRED B. ITHURBURN

Yuba City, Calif.

THE AUTHOR REPLIES:

That suffering may be part of God's plan is not the same thing as saying that he is responsible for it. It is true that nothing is outside the plan of divine wisdom, but unjust infliction of suffering is sinful and against that plan. St. Thomas Aquinas said that such evil is permitted by God but neither willed nor, much less, caused by God. If I have to choose among saints, I prefer Aquinas over Paul of the Cross and Mother Teresa.

JOSEPH KOMONCHAK