Drawing the Living Water —the Apocalypse of Jesus Way of Cross for the Catholics in Their Sufferings—

• Main Authors: Show-Meei Chen, 陳秀美
• Other Authors: Si-chi Chen, Ph. D.
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2010
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/27931011197343486552

碩士 === 國立臺北教育大學 === 生命教育與健康促進研究所 === 98 === The objective of this study is to explore the apocalypse of Jesus way of Cross for the Catholics in their sufferings. The study method is in-depth interview. Four participants were interviewed for their perspectives, experiences, coping methods, and process of surmounting the suffering. The results are as follow: 1. the sources and perspectives about suffering The two sources of suffering are man-made and natural disaster. The former includes negligence and evil, while the latter comes from natural rules. Above all, suffering is believed to be permitted by God since it is He who has created everything in the universe. Suffering is subjective experiences that can be understood very differently by different persons. Moreover, although suffering may persist for a period of time, it will finally pass by. 2. The experiences and realization/ recognition about suffering The reaction to suffering is different person by person, depending on the impact and time of happening of the suffering, as well as the sufferer’s coping abilities, characteristics and faith. It is found that all the participants gave thank to the suffering they had experienced, and believed that the sufferings are blessings and signs of love of God. 3. The attitudes and coping methods concerning suffering The Catholic perspective toward suffering is positive. With the attitudes of obedience to and reliance on God, the sufferer is encouraged to carry their own Cross without evading or complaining. When facing their suffering, all four participants considered praying to God as their first responding action. and then waited on God’s will in granting wisdom and power with which they did what they could do. 4. Apocalypse and surmounting about suffering The Way of Cross implies the virtues of obedience, patience, love, mercy, and forgiving, from which power and hope overflow. By representing of their experiences of suffering, the participants have expressed the close connection between their lives and the way of Cross. Such belief has enabled them to be filled with confidence, expectation and peacefulness even in times of suffering. The study highlights the importance of building up learners’ tolerance and perseverence through life education in both family and school. The representation of the suffering and trancending experiences, as illustrated in this study, helps teaching people to play their throughout their lives the inevitable roles of “sufferer” and “succor” by equipping them with the capabilities of facing, accepting, coping, and surmounting sufferings as well as empathizing with, comforting and supporting others in their sufferings.