I can’t tell you why…
I can’t tell you why…
A woman I know, who lost her faith in God, left the Church and returned to neo-paganism, explained to me one of the reasons she left was because she could no longer accept a God who permitted suffering. (Actually, she said, ‘demanded suffering’.) The woman, now in her 30’s was raised by an alcoholic, drug addicted mother. She and her sister were often left alone and had to forage for food in dumpsters. My friend was also sexually abused by her mother’s friends. (The traumatic effects of her childhood ordeal remain with her as an adult.)
Why would God do this to a child - or at least permit this to happen? Fellow Catholics more or less told her to suck it up - get over it, offer it up. Some even told her it was a punishment for sins, to which she cried, “What the hell did I do? I was a little kid?”
Job’s friends.
These are nearly impossible questions to answer, aren’t they? Sanctimonious explanations just don’t cut it sometimes. Try to explain to someone in the midst of their suffering Paul’s words, “God makes all things work together for the good of those who have been called according to his decree”. - Romans 8. Usually, if you try to tell someone these things, especially when they are in the throes of moral crises, it can be like throwing holy water on a possessed person - it just increases the anguish, pain and rage. Pious platitudes just don’t work - especially the dismissive, ’offer it up’.
Joseph.
The first reading of today’s Mass deals with Joseph’s brothers, fearing Joseph would punish them after the death of Jacob, because they had abused Joseph and sold him into slavery. Joseph responded in tears, declaring, “Have no fear. Can I take the place of God? Even though you meant harm to me, God meant it for good, to achieve his present end, the survival of many people…” - Genesis 49. Joseph, a wise man, was able to discern the purpose of God, who permitted him to go through such abuse and hardship. Often, God’s purpose isn’t always so clear to ourselves.
God’s ways are inscrutable aren’t they.
(Art: Joseph sold into slavery.)
