The problem of evil is a tough one. When we look around the world we see so much suffering, pain and sin, and it is natural to ask the question, “Why?” For thousands of years the problem of evil has plagued even the best of theologians. Today’s first reading starts with the words, “The Lord was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” At first glance this doesn’t make a lot of sense when we think about a God who loves us unconditionally. How could God be pleased with suffering?
I am not going to pretend to have all the answers to the problem of evil, but I think the first reading today reminds us that we cannot answer the problem of evil fully because we fail to see with the eyes of God.
The first reading goes on to say, “through his suffering, my servant shall justify many, and their guilt he shall bear.” This brings a little more sense to why God is pleased with infirmity because it is through this suffering that the guilt of many is justified. This does not make it any easier when we are faced with the loss of a loved one, a cancer diagnosis, or any of the other forms of suffering we could face, but it does help us see a glimpse of the workings of God.
We essentially know two things that should give us comfort. The first is that God does not directly cause evil. He may permit it because of free will or other factors, but he does not actively participate in evil. A loving God could not contradict his very nature in this way. The second is that He would only permit evil if a greater good could come from it. This is what makes it difficult because we do not see perfectly with the eyes of God. We cannot see all the good that He is bringing from the suffering that exists.
Let’s not forget the worst evil to ever happen. The Son of God became man and suffered and died. From the very greatest of suffering to ever exist, God brought about the salvation of the entire human race. He endured the worst of suffering for me and for you. The problem of evil is tough, especially when it becomes personal and happens in our own lives, but if God himself could suffer and die to bring about the resurrection, then we can be assured that our suffering is also effective in bringing glory to God and his Church. This may not convince us fully but it does allow us to start to see the world how God sees it. He is in charge and he will ultimately make all things new.
From all of us here at Diocesan, God bless!
El problema del mal es difícil. Cuando miramos a nuestro alrededor vemos tanto sufrimiento, dolor y pecado que es natural preguntarnos: “¿Por qué?” Durante miles de años, el problema del mal ha confundido incluso a los mejores teólogos. La primera lectura de hoy comienza con las palabras: “El Señor quiso triturar a su siervo con el sufrimiento”. A primera vista, esto no tiene mucho sentido cuando pensamos en un Dios que nos ama incondicionalmente. ¿Cómo podría Dios estar contento con el sufrimiento?
No voy a pretender tener todas las respuestas al problema del mal, pero creo que la primera lectura de hoy nos recuerda que no podemos responder plenamente al problema del mal porque no vemos con los ojos de Dios.
La primera lectura continúa diciendo: “con sus sufrimientos justificará mi siervo a muchos, cargando con los crímenes de ellos.” Esto da un poco más sentido al por qué Dios se complace con la enfermedad, porque es a través de este sufrimiento que se justifica la culpa de muchos. Esto no hace que sea más fácil enfrentarnos a la pérdida de un ser querido, un diagnóstico de cáncer o cualquier otra forma de sufrimiento que podamos enfrentar, pero sí nos ayuda a vislumbrar la obra de Dios.
En esencia, sabemos dos cosas que deberían brindarnos consuelo. La primera es que Dios no causa el mal directamente. Puede permitirlo debido al libre albedrío u otros factores, pero no participa activamente en el mal. Un Dios amoroso no podría contradecir a su propia naturaleza de esta manera. La segunda es que solo permitiría el mal si de él pudiera surgir un bien mayor. Esto es lo que lo hace difícil, porque no vemos perfectamente con los ojos de Dios. No podemos ver todo el bien que está trayendo del sufrimiento que existe.
No olvidemos el peor mal que jamás haya sucedido. El Hijo de Dios se hizo hombre, sufrió y murió. Del mayor sufrimiento que jamás haya existido, Dios trajo la salvación de toda la raza humana. Soportó el peor sufrimiento para mí y para ti. El problema del mal es duro, especialmente cuando se vuelve personal y sucede en nuestras propias vidas, pero si Dios mismo pudo sufrir y morir para lograr la resurrección, entonces podemos estar seguros de que nuestro sufrimiento también es eficaz para traer gloria a Dios y a su Iglesia. Puede ser que esto no nos convenza del todo, pero nos permite comenzar a ver el mundo como lo ve Dios. Él está a cargo y, en última instancia, hará nuevas todas las cosas.
De parte de todos nosotros aquí en Diocesan, ¡Dios los bendiga!
Tommy Shultz is a Business Development Representative for Diocesan. In this role he is committed to bringing the best software to dioceses and parishes while helping them evangelize on the digital continent. Tommy has worked in various diocese and parish roles since his graduation from Franciscan University with a Theology degree. He hopes to use his skills in evangelization, marketing, and communications, to serve the Church and bring the Good News to all. His favorite quote comes from St. John Paul II, who said, “A person is an entity of a sort to which the only proper and adequate way to relate is love.”
Feature Image Credit: Martha Dominguez de Gouveia, unsplash.com/photos/hospital-bed-near-couch-KF-h9HMxRKg