By Fr. Glenn Jones:
One thing that thwarts people from coming to faith is the perennial question: “Why do bad things happen to good people? If God loves those who are faithful to Him, why is that?”
It’s a question with no easy answer, though we know that hardships, difficulty and misfortune DO occur to just about everyone—those with faith, or not. The Biblical book of Job’s whole theme is that evil can strike even the best person. Jesus affirms this: “… those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, No…” (Luke 13:4) And, of course, Jesus confirmed this in His own death: the sinless one crucified.
In the Catholic Mass this weekend we read from the prophet Jeremiah, who speaks rather surprisingly to God: “You duped me, O Lord, and I let myself be duped.” But as we continue the excerpt, we see Jeremiah is really commenting on his own self-deception, having deluded himself that he would be received openly by the people a prophet of God. Alas, no; as he continues: “All the day I am an object of laughter; everyone mocks me…the word of the LORD has brought me derision and reproach…”(Jeremiah 20:-7-8)
Sadly, Christians in our day are often mocked, ridiculed or even despised for our love of God and for being disciples of Jesus Christ. One wonders what is so objectionable in a religious philosophy which emphasizes forgiveness and love of neighbor. But, of course, it is because of the different standards of what “love of neighbor” entails and of different value systems.
Thus the importance of courage in the faith. For Jeremiah’s temptation can be the Christian’s temptation as well: to remain silent when others disapprove. The good Catholic—any good Christian—can be besieged by the world and of influences glorifying the vices of drugs or drunkenness, lust and deceit, greed and hatred, and strength used to terrorize rather than to protect and to serve. And, honestly, it does at times seem to be easier just to surrender … to follow the world rather than God … to indulge ourselves in what the rest of the world is indulging in.
Oh … but to be so unfaithful. So disloyal. So inevitably self-destructive. So … weak.
As with Jeremiah, always present is the ever-goading, untiring presence of God … in our hearts, in our conscience, in our spirits … that longing for Him that is inescapable: “it becomes like fire burning in my heart, imprisoned in my bones; I grow weary holding it in, I cannot endure it.” (Jeremiah: 20:9), reminding us of St. Paul’s declaration: “… necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.” (1 Corinthians 9:16-17) Yet this commission is given to every Christian, by Jesus Himself: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you …” (Matthew 28:19-20) to the extent of their ability.
God tells Jeremiah as He tells us: “Can a man hide himself…so that I cannot see him?…Do I not fill heaven and earth?” (Jeremiah 23:24) And we hear from the psalm:
[Lord]…Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?
If I ascend to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in [the underworld], you are there.
If I take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea,
even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me fast…
even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-18)
Can’t escape God; Jonah found that out. But, as God is all-good and eternal, and He is everlasting love … why in the world would we want to escape Him? … especially for the fickle approval of Men?
To depart from God is to depart from all that is good … all that comforts … all that is true … all that brings true and eternal happiness.
So the Christian always looks to Jesus … expecting challenge, and even rejection, from the world. He warns us: “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own…but I chose you out of the world…” (John 15:19)
But … so what.? For He also reminds us: “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world [to be rich, famous, popular, powerful] and forfeit his life?…For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father’s glory, and then he will repay all according to his conduct.”
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Being a good Christian is not a wimpy calling. But as Paul wrote: “I can do all things in [Christ] who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) We all go before God, and the humble and dutiful before God will have peace. So, we say to you the words of St. Paul: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, your spiritual worship. Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)
And, when experiencing hardship or challenge because of your faith, simply remember: “Blessed are you when men revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.
