Sep 16 Wed
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Bad things happen to good people because sin, human freedom, natural limits, and suffering wound the world. God does not delight in evil or injustice, but He permits them within his Providence and can bring good from them—though we often cannot see how in this life.
God showed us the reason for our suffering in Christ’s Passion and Death: although Jesus did good, He was crucified; yet his Resurrection conquered sin and death. Thus, suffering is not proof that God has abandoned us, but that He wants us to continue improving.
Jesus wanted to be tempted to show solidarity with our weaknesses and to set us an example. The Devil offered him comfort instead of the cross, spectacular miracles instead of a life of harsh struggle, political dominion of the world instead of a reign within souls.
Satan cannot prevent the building up of God's reign, although he acts in the world out of hatred for God and the kingdom of Jesus Christ. And even though his actions cause great harm of a spiritual nature –and indirectly even of a physical nature– to people and society, those actions are permitted by divine Providence, which with strength and gentleness guides human and world history. It is a great mystery that Providence should permit diabolical activity, but we know that in everything God works for good with those who love him.
We must not consider every tragedy a direct punishment, nor should we passively accept preventable suffering. We should oppose evil, protect the vulnerable, relieve pain, and accompany those who suffer.
Yet God promises that suffering and death will not have the final word. Faith gives hope that He can draw a good from evil—a good whose full meaning may be known only in eternal life.
“God is very pleased with those who recognize his goodness by making an act of thanksgiving whenever something out of the ordinary happens, without caring whether it may have been good or bad, as the world reckons these things. Because everything comes from the hands of our Father: so, though the blow of the chisel may hurt our flesh, it is a sign of Love, as He smooths off our rough edges and brings us closer to perfection."
But God never abandons us, His children. “Let me assure you, it's something which I have touched with my own hands and seen with my own eyes, that, if you trust in God's Providence, if you abandon yourselves in his all-powerful arms, you will never lack the means to serve God, his Holy Church and the souls of men; and this without having to neglect any of your duties. You will then rejoice in the joy and peace which all the goods of the world cannot give."
God did not exempt his Mother from suffering and contradictions, yet “Mary glorifies the power of Our Lord, who 'has put down the mighty from their thrones and has exalted the lowly'. And she sings of how his divine providence has once again been fulfilled in her: 'because He has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid, behold all generations henceforth shall call me blessed'."