We’re curious (not to mention furious). We ask “Why?” We wonder, what was his motive?
We want to make sense of the whole thing.
When tragedy doesn’t make sense, it is all the more painful and much more difficult to deal with. The world has to make sense to us. It has to have meaning.
Young lives cut short by a shooting madman. And we have yet to hear why. Nevertheless, we’re confident that, in time, we will learn. His story, history, background, reasons, rationale, thinking, purpose, intent, motive, it will all come to light after much investigation. It has to, because, we have to know why.
Meaning! What does this mean? It translates into the challenging question asked of many clergy, “If there is a God, why did God let this happen?”
Well, before we go any further, the immediate need of the families that have been directly impacted by this shooting is that of loving and caring presence and support. They are hurting. They are in trauma. They have suffered great loss. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. They don’t need to hear rationales, explanations, or theological treatises on the nature of evil, death, and dying. They need comfort, love, peace, and the presence of safe and caring people. God be with them in this time of great loss and sorrow.
Yes. About God, where is God in such times of tragic and senseless loss?
The truth is, God is here, with us, in our suffering. There is good reason why one of the many names or titles or “handles,” if you will, that is given to Jesus, is that of the Suffering Servant. “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin” --> “Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested” (Hebrews 4:12 and 2:18).
God understands our pain our loss and our suffering, in the person of Jesus. This is why the incarnation, the person, life, suffering/death, and resurrection of Jesus are so central to the Gospel message: “Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body you have prepared for me’” (Hebrews 10:5). By means of the Cross, Jesus knows our loss and is intimately acquainted with our sufferings. By means of the Resurrection, Jesus gives us Eternal Life, the promise of ultimate peace and consolation.
Life must make sense. So must evil, pain, suffering, and death.
Don’t get angry at God. Rather, turn to God for your answer, and receive true comfort, peace, and hope in the face of such seemingly senseless tragedy and loss.
No comments:
Post a Comment