July 23, 2017
The pre-occupation of humanity has always been: “Why evil and sin and why its rapid growth and why does it spread?” “Why doesn’t God intervene? Why not separate the good ones from the bad ones? Destroy the evil and let the good prosper?” God’s response: • The good and the bad must live alongside one another. Thus – the patience of God. • Salvation is for the good and the bad but we must all work for it in solidarity with one another. • The good must help the bad to become better persons. While on their part, the bad should abandon their evil ways and turn to God in order to experience his love. Saint Paul reminds us: We are in need of God’s spirit; without which we are vulnerable to stumble and turn away from God. Therefore, the good must support the weak; while on their part the weak must work for their good. The Book of Wisdom tells us that “God is the God of all”. That is why God is patient to the weak and supportive to those who struggle to be good. God is lenient. We too must be kind and supportive and understanding. Ready to correct not be the judge. Remember Christ’s invitation: • “Be compassionate just as your father is compassionate. Do not judge and you will not be judged”. (Lk 6:37) • “Does this mean to be passive to evil and sins?” No! But rather, it is the duty of every Christian to reach out to those who do bad and evil with an attitude of winning them over to God”. It is an invitation to appreciate and to be “Good and merciful as your father in heaven is good”. (Lk 6:36) It is a process and a journey of life that we must strive for.
Fr. Vincent Karatunga