On the Problem of Evil

Pastor's Column

3rd Sunday of Lent

March 23, 2025

“Or those eighteen people who were killed when the tower at Siloam fell on them — do you think they were more guilty than everyone else who lived in Jerusalem? By no means! But I tell you, if you do not repent, you will all perish as they did!”

from Luke 13:1-9

          Jesus is asked a question today that is on many people's minds at one time or

another: why do bad things happen to good people? (Luke 13:1-9). More specifically, why did that tower fall on those particular people? Is it because they committed more sin than other people did? Did they deserve it? Were they any guiltier than anyone else? Why, why, why?  

          Jesus answers this by saying, in effect, "You are asking the wrong question." As he does so often, Jesus answers a question with a question. Notice how, once again, Jesus seemingly sidesteps the question asked to get to what really matters. Though from our perspective, these are all legitimate questions. Jesus has a divine perspective: he sees things a bit differently than we do. Jesus has a different vantage point: we are in time, he is in eternity. We tend to see only immediate effects of tragedies and suffering; Jesus looks at the eternal consequences of these circumstances.

          For Jesus, many of the seemingly inexplicable events of our lives are really opportunities for repentance. For example, while an illness may be inconvenient and perhaps unfair, it also reminds us forcefully of our mortality and that our true home lies elsewhere. A collapsing tower or bridge can force us to think about our lives and where we are going, and perhaps even to realize that everything we accomplish in this life is transitory except what is done for God, and what is done out of love. Everything else will one day fall down.

          Repentance in essence means to turn around. When we repent, we re-establish our priorities, goals and values according to those things that really matter. Not only does this glorify God, but repentance is in our own best interests as well. Seeing the world as it really is is one of the best ways to live a full life here on earth as well as one that truly prepares us for the eternal life to come, and this is what Lent is all about.

Father Gary