Psalm 130:1

Why do bad things happen to good people? Much of the Old Testament seems to attribute the misfortunes of the chosen people in the desert to their being a stiff-necked people who turned away from God. If they had obeyed the Lord’s commandments, they would not have been punished, it would appear. But then, there is the story of Job; a good man in the sight of God who suffered much injustice.

Poor Job is a case study of the just person suffering from injustice. He is the just and upright man reduced to mourning on a dung heap. “Why,” he asked, “does God allow these things to happen to me?” Philosophical discourse sheds no light on Job’s plight. Eventually, God bends down and His stunning presence startles and comforts Job. Out of the depths of suffering, Job learns that God can surround and contain him.

The same job-like question of near –despair arose from the disciples in the boat who feared for their lives when they were tossed about by the billowing waves: “Teacher, doesn’t it matter to you that we are going to drown?” Indeed, it matters! Jesus awoke out of a deep sleep and brought the tempest and the apostles to a standstill. The disciples eventually learned that this was the same God who spoke to Job. Compassion drew God down to the level of Job in his suffering. Compassion also drew God to earth in the person of Jesus who is always with us, in bad times as well as good.

The suffering of Job and the apostles are both alleviated by a compassionate God who bends down to console and rescue them in His warm embrace. There is no lasting solution to the problem of suffering in the world; it will always be with us. The Lord who was without sin had to suffer. He gave His life on the cross so that we might be redeemed.

Whenever you are bewildered, confused, or angry because you feel abandoned; remember that the Lord is right there; in the midst of the storms of life; in the darkness of your confusion and suffering; to embrace you and raise you up.

Fr. Hugh Duffy

* * * Do not miss tomorrow’s blog on Priority by Jade Viray * * *