Birth of a Notion

In my ethics class last week, my professor posed the question to us “If there really is an omnipotent, benevolent God….why does he let bad things happen? Why does he allow a small child to get cancer?” I found myself to be a bit annoyed, though I know he wasn’t asserting anything anti-religious, he is an ethics professor doing his job. I am your run of the mill Catholic girl, and when I thought about it, I found myself incapable of really articulating a good argument. I know in my heart why, but presenting it in words proved more difficult.

I went to church today and while sitting in the pews I was reading a handout while I waited for the service to start. To my surprise, there was a letter from Father Paul in it where he addressed this EXACT question. Weird, eh? Anyway, here is an excerpt that I think explains almost precisely how I feel about the aforementioned question:

“….we never know what we are made of until we face the hard aspects of life. The challenges and struggles of daily life prove what we are capable of. It is in dealing with those things with courage, perseverance, and fidelity that we rise to greater heights…When we confront evil, we manifest our true character. It would be nice to be able to eliminate all evil and wrongdoing, all suffering and pain, and all malice and labor from life, but then we would not have anything that would effectuate our increase in sanctity…it is also when our faith is tested, that it flourishes the most.”

I have experienced my fair share of tragedy in my life, more than I would hope anyone my age would ever have to witness. People are surprised that I’m not bitter or that I am prospering so greatly in spite of all these terrible things. It truly is through my faith in God that I trusted that he would never give me more than I can handle. I always have kept my head up and not let the sadness and anger consume me (which can also be attributed to my dear old Daddy). I can say, I know I would not be the same person today had it not been all those horrible things I have been through. I am a better, stronger person for it.

idk. ethics class always makes me think. sorry for the random blurt of personal gobbity-goop. cheers!