August 31, 2005
Most people are deeply shaken when faced with an evident injustice, unexpected death, or natural disaster. Even the devout will quietly question the Almighty, “Why did you allow this illness or accident to happen?” Even atheists ponder the age-old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” One could even extend the question further, “Why does evil occur at all?”
A few thoughts on this matter. First, it should be stated that when a person exhibits sadness or confusion, perhaps even doubt and anger in the wake of a grave misfortune, it should not immediately be seen as a sign of weakness or even as sinful. When a catastrophe hits home, it hurts. This, we can readily state, is an appropriate and psychologically healthy response. Not to feel pain when a hammer meets our thumb means something is wrong with us. Psychopaths who kill people for entertainment feel no remorse for their actions because for some reason their conscience is dead. So, the mere fact that we can be visibly shaken in the wake of tragedy is a sign of psychological stability and spiritual maturity!
Certainly, deep feelings and deep faith go together as we read in the Holy Gospels where Our Lord evidently feels the pain and predicament of others – the hurting and the hungry, the lost or the lame. He didn’t just shed a tear – but wept – at the tomb of Lazarus and over doomed Jerusalem with its magnificent temple. No doubt, Our Blessed Lord was not only suffering physical pain, but also emotional pain as He watched His mother at the foot of the cross. Then there was the deepest pain – spiritual pain – which made Him cry out, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do!”
Secondly, if you or others consider yourself a spiritual person, be sure you don’t offend God by defending what is indefensible. Don’t stand up for what God deems as an evil. Illness, accidents, and natural disasters which cause the loss of life and limb should not be dubbed “good” simply because God allowed them to occur. While good can come from these things – pain and suffering are not directly willed by the Almighty. We truly defend the mind of God by rightly stating that bad things happen through the permissive will of God. We don’t know why He “stays His hand” by permitting natural “acts of God” like hurricanes, and unnatural acts of man like Hiroshima. No doubt, His gift of free-will figures into this mystery, yet so too His desire that He work through us to make this world a better place.
Thirdly, what should we do when evil either creeps up or crashes down upon us or others? Well, as we already said, to remain unaffected like some stone-faced Stoic is both unhealthy and inhuman – quite unlike Jesus! However, not only should our feelings mirror the God-man, but so too our actions. This means we should not be too quick to blame others – even God. While it is understandable to emotionally react, we must exteriorly respond and not become judge, jury, and executioner. While Our Lord cried over the sins of others, He did not condemn them; and while He felt the utter absence of His Father as He hung on the cross, He trusted Him nonetheless.
In the wake of a disaster, we may want to roll over and die, but God’s grace enables us to roll up our sleeves and begin to rebuild. Such is the power of God’s grace given to those with faith. Faith is that mysterious gift of God that has the power to turn a hard black piece of coal into a dazzling diamond. Yet, such a process doesn’t happen overnight; perhaps it will even extend beyond the boundaries of one’s earthly life. God will indeed make everything right. In heaven, even floods are forgotten.
Finally, consider this: if we who are selfish and often hardhearted feel the pain of total strangers struck with tragedy, how deeply must their plight affect the Sacred Heart of God, Who loves each as His own? At times, it appears that God doesn’t care, yet through Christ, we know the opposite – He cries!
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
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