Why does God let it happen? We might be talking about the death of a child, an unjust war, the loss of young people to gang life, or even a tornado or flood.
Some people blame God and then decide to give up on believing, concluding that God is either unkind or untrustworthy. Others are convinced that tragedy is a punishment, even if they can't name the offense. Still others defend God with justifying explanations like "We can't understand the divine ways," or "Somehow it's for the best."
Innocent suffering is one of the most serious problems religions have had to face over the eons and across the globe.
Today's first reading seems to say that Israel's exile in Babylon was a punishment for their adding "infidelity to infidelity." We also hear that the compassionate Lord sent messengers to the people, but that those messengers were mocked and their message ignored. As a result, the people were conquered, their city sacked and the survivors made slaves.
Did God do that?
In the Gospel, we listen in as Jesus and Nicodemus converse. When Jesus says that the Son of Man will be lifted up so that all who see him will have eternal life, the "lifting up," refers to the cross and resurrection as one event of divine self-revelation.
While that may seem obvious, we shouldn't think the same of the expression "eternal life." It's easy to assume that "eternal life" refers to immortality or heaven, but the New American Bible tells us that the term in John 3:15 stresses quality of life rather than duration."
Spanish Scripture scholar José Antonio Pagola tells us that the eternal life Jesus promises begins in this life and reaches its fullness in our definitive encounter with God. That means that eternal life is nothing less than union with God.
Writing to the Ephesians, Paul falls all over himself in trying to explain his sense of this communion. In this short selection, Paul mentions grace three times, insisting over and again that we are saved through grace, that is, through God's favor rather than any merit of our own.
This grace comes from God, whom Paul describes as rich in mercy, immeasurably giving and great in loving. These teachings about God's grace lead to his conclusion that we are God's own handiwork, created for union with Christ and to continue his work.
How do these ideas help us to reflect on the existence of a good God and a world in which unspeakable evil seems to run rampant?
Before we can respond, we need to examine the question itself. This question assumes that God intervenes directly in the events of history. Is that not one of our many assumptions that has more to do with our theories than with what Jesus revealed about his Father? Yes, Jesus taught that not a sparrow would fall without God's awareness, but that awareness does not prevent the fall of the sparrow.
Jesus told Nicodemus that God has no intention of punishing anyone, rather God looks to saving by drawing people into the communion of eternal life.
Following that, Jesus' being "lifted up," had nothing to do with condemnation or compensation for human evil. Instead, it exposed God's loving solidarity with all who suffer and revealed that suffering and evil will never have the last word.
Paul ended his description of God and grace by saying that we are created in Christ Jesus to continue his good works. If God could do it all, there would be no need for our good works. But the Incarnation itself revealed that God works through human flesh, here now as the body of Christ throughout the world.
Our first reading tells us that God sends messengers "early and often." We have had the prophets, Jesus, the saints and all who strive to be the body of Christ in our world. What happens to them? Like Jesus, they are often mocked, and scoffed at — even assassinated. What does this teach us?
Jesus said that he was sent into the world so that all who believe could enjoy not a life free of suffering, but communion with God (eternal life). Jesus died in faithfulness to his vocation to embody God's love in the world. He was slain because the love of God threatened the powers such that they tried to eliminate him. In that most evil of circ*mstances, God did not stop it, but brought life out of death.
God created, not to control us, but to entice us toward communion. If we believe that God works through us, instead of asking "Why does God let it happen?," the prophetic question is, "How can people who believe in God and the power of love let it happen?"
Looking to Jesus, we know where the answer can lead.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with its correct headline.
FAQs
God created, not to control us, but to entice us toward communion. If we believe that God works through us, instead of asking "Why does God let it happen?," the prophetic question is, "How can people who believe in God and the power of love let it happen?" Looking to Jesus, we know where the answer can lead.
What is the significance of the 4th Sunday of Lent? ›
The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” Today's Gospel describes the reason for our joy: God's great love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Christ has reconciled us with God and one another.
What does the 4th week of Lent mean? ›
On this Fourth Sunday of Lent, the Preface offers a way of understanding our relationship to the man born blind from the Gospel of John. Christ is the light that has shone into the darkness of death and despair. Through the enfleshment of the Word, we have come to know what it means now to be both God and human.
What is the Gospel's message to us in this 4th week of Lent? ›
Fourth, the result of receiving Him and giving our lives in return is that we are saved. We will not perish in our sin; rather, we will be given eternal life. There is no other way to salvation than through the Son. We must know, believe, accept and embrace this truth.
What is the 4th Sunday of Lent called? ›
The fourth Sunday of Lent in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar. The term is derived from the opening words of the Latin Mass, “Rejoice (Laetare) Jerusalem” (Is 66:10). The church is called to joyful anticipation of the victory to be won.
What does the church celebrate on the Fourth Sunday of Lent? ›
This Lenten Season, we celebrate his Passion, Death, and Resurrection. We celebrate because his Passion, Death, and Resurrection were the very means that won for us victory over death itself. This is what we celebrate this Laetare Sunday. Laetare means rejoice!
What is the 4th Sunday of Lent Prayers of the Faithful? ›
Lord in your mercy
PRIEST: God our Father, your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world and brought humanity the gift of reconciliation. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts so that we may clearly see the love you have for us. We make this prayer through Christ our Lord.
What is the sermon for Lent 4? ›
Sermon for the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Those who do evil things hate the light and will not come to the light, because they do not want their evil deeds to be shown up. But those who do what is true come to the light in order that the light may show that what they did was in obedience to God.
What is the gospel for the 4th Sunday of Lent 2024? ›
Gospel: John 3:14-21
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”
What is the gospel reflection for the 4th Sunday of Easter? ›
He laid down His life so that we, His sheep, might be able to live. But even in death Jesus did not abandon us. He is still with us (His sheep) as our good shepherd, leading us to where we need to be. Therefore, let us follow our good shepherd wherever He leads us.
During Lent, Jesus calls us to resist earthly temptations and, instead, seek the spiritual food provided by God and live by it. Fasting and abstinence from meat help us toward that end.
What color does the priest wear on the fourth Sunday of Lent? ›
Rose – this colour may be used, where it is the custom, on the Third Sunday of Advent and the Fourth Sunday of Lent and represents subdued joy.
What are the 4 parts of Lent? ›
There are four things we try to concentrate on during Lent: Prayer, Abstinence, Fasting and Almsgiving.
What is the meaning of Lent weeks? ›
Lent (Latin: Quadragesima, 'Fortieth') is the solemn Christian religious observance in the liturgical year commemorating the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and enduring temptation by Satan, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, before beginning his public ministry.
Is Lent 4 weeks long? ›
How long is Lent? Lent lasts 40 days from Ash Wednesday to Holy Thursday, excluding Sundays. Sundays are an important part of Lent, but we do not include them in the “40 days” because on every Sunday we remember and celebrate the Resurrection of Christ in the Mass.
What do the days of Lent represent? ›
Lent is a period of 40 days during which many Christians remember the events leading up to and including the death of Jesus Christ, whose life and teachings are the foundation of Christianity. The 40-day period is called Lent after an old English word meaning 'lengthen'.
