Sárospataki Füzetek 21. (2017)
2017 / 2. szám - MISCELLANEOUS-SONSTIGES - Homoki Gyula: Where to look in suffering? A fictional round-table discussion with
Where to Look in Suffering? A Fictional Round-Table Discussion with J.B., J.C. and J.T. Besides the image of the Father, both of them describe God as the Physician who wants to heal us by the medicine of suifering.31 The terrible disease of our pride, our self-sufficiency, self-reliance, the wrong sense of security, our constant desire for the earthly things must be healed by a harsh cure. However, “the heavenly Physician treats some more gently, in the case of others he employs harsher remedies, his purpose being to provide a cure for all”.32 Therefore, we must hold on to the great comfort of Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the God of those who love him.” By looking up to God, we do not see a Cruel force that punishes us, but a True Father who chastises his children only for their good, and a Heavenly Physician who wants to heal the diseases in our lives. Whether poverty, or exile, or imprisonment, or contumely, or disease, or bereavement, or any such evil affects us, we must think that none of them happens except by the will and providence of God; moreover, that every thing he does is in the most perfect order.33 But what does this sound doctrine mean in our everyday life? — one may ask. Taffin makes it really concrete and practical at the end of his book. He concludes that we must remain steadfastly in connection with our Mother, which is the Church in order to remain in God, our Father.34 By gathering for assembly, listening to the sermons, participating in the sacraments and above all, persevering in prayer we can also constantly look up to God. It doesn’t matter what the enemy takes away from the people, the main desire of the believer even in the darkest hours of suffering must be to seek the Lord and to be in His dwelling place. 31 Taffin: The Marks of God's children, 104. 32 Calvin: Institutes, III.8.5. 33 Calvin: Institutes, III.8.11. 34 Taffin: The Marks of God's children, 134ff. 2017-2 Sárospataki Füzetek 21 141
