catechism co r n e r
Why does God allow good people to suffer? M ar c Cardaronella is the director of the Office of Catechesis and Faith Formation
Dealing with this question can stretch the limits of faith. Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. I’ve said that every person is known by God, loved like his own child and created with intention and purpose. So, why would a loving father let bad things happen to his children? To come to terms with this, we must understand the meaning of personhood.
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The unfortunate consequence, however, is that people do choose evil and those choices have consequences. Confession exists as a remedy for the spiritual costs of our sin, but that doesn’t negate legal, social and emotional costs. In the end, the why is a mystery. We hurt and we don’t like to hurt. But knowing why isn’t always possible. The Catechism gives more assurance than explanation why. Love requires vulnerability, and that can lead to pain. God doesn’t promise love won’t hurt, but that he loves and hurts with us. Jesus loved and suffered more than anyone. To the suffering, he says, “You are not alone. I have been there, and I am with you now. Join all your pain with mine and I will transform it.” So, God respects our freedom and permits evil … but also offers hope. The other assurance is to somehow “mysteriously … derive good from it.” The why may remain a mystery. However, Saint Paul tells us, “We know that in everything God works for good for those who love him.” (Rom 8:28) Immerse yourself in God’s merciful love with full knowledge he has the power to draw greater good from any evil.
Catholic Key • April/May 2022 • catholickey.org
“God doesn’t promise love won’t hurt, but that he loves and hurts with us.” Getty Images/PORNCHAI SODA
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (311) says, “Angels and men, as intelligent and free creatures, have to journey toward their ultimate destinies by their free choice and preferential love. They can therefore go astray. Indeed, they have sinned. Thus moral evil … has entered the world. God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it.” To be a person is to be in control of your own destiny by free choice. God desires everyone to love him. However, for a true, loving relationship to exist, it can’t be forced or coerced. Having the choice of radical love means the opposite choice must also be possible … radical hate and evil actions. What we’re really asking is for God to put limits on human freedom. It sounds good, but is that what we really want? Lately, it’s become painfully obvious that people love personal freedom. Being controlled angers us, which stands to reason. A person is an end in themselves and must never be an object of use. Freedom of choice is our sovereign right as persons.
