catholicsphere

The tragic shooting on the campus of Virginia Tech that resulted in the death of 33 people, including the gunman who killed himself, is a chilling reminder of the existence of evil in this world. We are also coming up to the anniversaries of the shootings in Columbine and the Oklahoma City bombing. And, it can leave us with lots of questions of “why?”

Among those questions will most likely be the one that asks, “Why, God? Why did you let this happen?”

At such a time I think its important to remember that God did provide an answer to evil — Jesus Christ. Now, before you go thinking this answer is trite and look for a way to click off the page, I ask you to read this through because I think it will provide a bit more insight that, while not unique or original, is seldom heard and may hopefully provide some comfort in these troubling times.

When God looks at the world, he looks at the eternal, not the temporal; the infinite, not the finite; the permanent, not that which is passing away. In our humanness, we are limited from seeing as God does.

God is in control; and yet allows us our freedom to do as we wish. This freedom can be for good or evil. However, God is not responsible or the cause of such things. Even though there are those who come to physical harm, suffering, pain and even death, this will be made of no effect. Though freedom allows evil to exist, we can find peace and solace in knowing that there is an answer which can give us hope because we know that it will not be forever.

This past Sunday, in the Catholic Church, we celebrated Divine Mercy Sunday; which recalls and recognizes that God has mercy on his people. It calls us back to the Cross and the Resurrection, where God claimed victory over evil and death; to ransom us from eternal death and evil. God shows mercy.

Unfortunately, many don’t know or believe this. But, it is true. Instead, these people seek ways to ease the temporary pain … temporarily.

This is how God is in control, because those things don’t and won’t reign forever. Only when we look to that do I believe we can truly find peace and comfort in these troubling and evil times.

Let each of us pray for the students, family and friends of all affected by this tragedy. And, then prayer for those still suffering the effects of events which were no less tragic in their life.

[tags]virginia tech, Jesus, catholic, divine mercy, free will, catholicsphere, faith, God, evil, problem of pain, prayer, school[/tags]