When Bad Things Happen To Good People
2022년 3월 20일When Bad Things Happen To Good People
< Third Sunday of Lent >
One of the oldest questions humans have asked since the dawn of time isn’t “Is there a God?” but rather “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Since all ancient peoples believed in gods and spirits, it was natural to believe the gods would punish bad people with misfortune, sickness, poverty or even death. Conversely, if one obeyed the gods and kept the commandments, one would be honored with prosperity, health, children and long life. It didn’t take long for people to see life (and God) doesn’t always work that way. Sometimes it seems despite their sins bad people prosper, enjoy long lives and never get punished. Maybe that’s why people thought hell was a good idea, where bad people would finally be punished for their sins—eternally. Of even greater mystery is why good people, kind people, holy people suffer in this world. Can eternal bliss in heaven make up for this apparent injustice?
This was the question confronting Jesus. Pilate had massacred some people as they prayed in the Temple. What did Jesus have to say about that? Instead of admitting God failed to save them or suggest maybe they weren’t as holy as people thought, Jesus uses yet another tragedy where a tower fell killing 18 people. Jesus refused to blame the victims. Instead he suggested that every tragedy we hear about is an invitation for us to repent lest something worse happens to us. This may seem harsh, except this is Jesus talking: the holiest person who ever walked this earth. Yet he would suffer the worse possible death— by crucifixion. If God did not spare his son, why should God spare us? Like Jesus, in all things, good or evil, let us bless the Lord and show the world that even in our darkest hour God is with us.