Why do bad things happen to good, innocent people?

21.APR.11

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we have been experiencing political division, tribalism, and aggression, as reflected in the period leading up to the referendum in November 2009 and the general elections in December 2010, and the present impasse which heightened in parliament in March of this year.{{more}} Added to this, we have had Hurricane Tomas in October 2010, and recently the trough system, both of which caused different levels of destruction in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but specifically and quite adversely on the North Eastern part of the island. In the midst of this, the effects of the global economic meltdown are upon us, and we cannot forget those who are experiencing a sense of loss, anxiety, apprehension and hopelessness because of the collapse of British American and CLICO.

In the midst of all this, we ask the question: why? Why do bad things happen to good and innocent people? This question is an important one for religious people, and for us Christians, for we believe that God is good, gracious, compassionate, loving, merciful, almighty and just.

In spite of this, good and innocent people continue to have these experiences, and some have sought to supply us or comfort us with simplistic answers. However, we continue to grapple with this reality, and so the question remains with us. Why?

This question is addressed in the book of Job in the Old Testament where Job’s friends express the generally accepted opinion of the time, that bad things happen because of people’s wrong doing, or because they have offended God, but this was not the case with Job. Rather, what the book of Job presents to us is the fact that life is very complex, and inspite of its complexity, which is beyond the grasp of us human beings, God is in control and embraces and absorbs everything.

If bad things happen to those who have offended God, then what about the passion, crucifixion and death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ embraced and absorbed sin, evil, unrighteousness, and all that offends God and death itself. As St. Augustine found out, it’s like a child on the beach who digs a hole in the sand and using his hands, tries to fill it with sea water; he can pour the whole ocean into the hole and it will never be filled, the sand will embrace and absorb the water.

Easter, therefore, presents us with a message of hope, transformation, reconciliation and newness of life. It emphasizes the sovereignty of God and calls us to submit ourselves to God in loving obedience. For God is the one who embraces and absorbs all things.

Central to the Easter message are love, reconciliation and newness of life. For our salvation has been wrought through love by God who reconciled us to God self and offers us a new life, life in all its fullness.

As we reflect on our present context in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council calls on all citizens to acknowledge our common humanity and the sovereignty of God. Let us endeavour by the grace of the risen Lord to be reconciled one to another. May we learn to acknowledge and appreciate the beauty of difference and live in harmony with each other and work together for the common good. May we respond to the needs of those who have suffered adversely from the natural disasters and cooperate in the rebuilding process. Let wisdom, mercy, justice and Christian charity prevail as we seek to address the present economic crisis and the collapse of British American and CLICO.

The St. Vincent and the Grenadines Christian Council calls on both Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves and Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Arnhim Eustace, all members of Parliament, talk show hosts on the various radio stations, and all citizens of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to acknowledge their contribution towards the present political division, tribalism and aggression in the state and commit ourselves to a process of reconciliation, as we acknowledge our common humanity and the sovereignty of God.

We take this opportunity to wish you all a Blessed Easter. It is only God who embraces and absorbs all things. May we place our hope, faith and trust in God.

Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed, come let us adore Him. Alleluia! Alleluia!