“Why do bad things happen to good people?” Whenever there is some tragedy we often find ourselves questioning God, wondering “Where was God?” Where was God in the midst of this shooting, or hurricane, or fill in the blank with whatever suffering you find unjust. Sometimes, the answer is that this world is just fallen and imperfect and not meant to be our lasting home.
At this week’s “Adult Conversation” at the parish, I considered “Why Did God Allow 9/11?” and how to deal with unjust suffering. But in today’s homily, I’d like to consider another answer to why there is suffering. Sometimes, it’s our own fault. The gospel duo Wilburn & Wilburn offer a pointed reflection in their song, “You Asked Him to Leave.”
In our first reading, we hear of how the Israelites asked God to leave. Despite God’s continued care for them, they tell God they don’t want him and instead worship a golden calf as their God. In the gospel, the Prodigal Son tells his father he only wants his money and wishes he were dead. He then leaves. Not surprisingly, things go very badly for Israel and the Prodigal Son. The same is true for us when we reject God. “Where was God?” Well, in the words of the song, “He wasn’t there. Remember you asked him to leave.”
Now, that’s the bad news. The good news is that, even though we ask God to leave, as soon as we repent and ask him to come back, he does. In fact, he even goes after us, like that crazy shepherd in the gospel leavening 99 sheep to go after just one. It seems ridiculous to risk so munch for just one sheep… until you’re that one lost sheep.
In order for the good news of salvation to make any sense, we’ve got to admit the hard truth that none of us are really all that “good.” In fact, we all deserve death. That’s the bad news. The good news is that Jesus came and then willingly died in our place. He paid the price for us so that we who were lost could be found.
As a society, we’ve asked God to leave our families, our bedrooms, our workplaces, our government, politics, and schools. We’ve basically asked God to leave just about everywhere and be confined to our church buildings. Is it any wonder that these very things are now such a mess? Ask yourself where in your life God is not welcome. Don’t be afraid to surrender to God and invite him in. If you do, you will find great peace and joy. But if don’t, and bad things happen, don’t question God. “Remember you asked him to leave.”