In St. Thomas Aquinas’ Summa Theologica, one of the objections he gives to the existence of God is the problem of evil. How could an all-loving God allow so much evil to exist? Why is there so much suffering in this world? This question is something that many people find incredibly difficult to understand. The brokenness of this world is devastating and incredibly difficult to bear. The only real way to bear it is to look at the Cross.
God brought good out of the most evil act a man has ever committed, the murder of Jesus. Our Lord suffered and died, but this was not the end of the story. He rose from the dead, redeemed us, and gave us all the chance to be happy with Him in Heaven forever.
Heaven is not a guarantee, although God does desire all men to be with Him in Heaven. To be saved, though, we must respond to Gods invitation with love, obedience, and faith. The Christian life is not easy. There are glimpses of Heaven here. But these goods must never take precedent in our heart over the Lord, like they did in the rich man’s. Christ Himself said: “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” -Mt 16:24
Spread Biblical Values
In America, a few weeks ago a devout Christian named Charlie Kirk was murdered while doing his yearly college tour. Charlie would go to different college campuses across America and dialogue and debate college students on politics, theology, and morals. His goal was to spread biblical values and engage America’s youth in the political process through the free exchange of ideas. Before he went out to every campus, he always asked God to: “let him do Gods will, never compromise on the truth, and love on everyone who was lost.” Over the past few weeks, everyone who knew Charlie, from his staffers all the way to the President of the United States has spoken about his character, his humility, his uncompromising commitment to truth, his devotedness to his wife and children, and most importantly his unwavering faith in and love for Jesus. Charlie spoke with such love and compassion with everyone who disagreed with him and shouted nasty things at him. And ultimately, he was killed for it. Charlie was 31 years old, married with a 3-year-old daughter and 1 year old son. This is what it means to follow Christ. To give all to Christ no matter the cost.
Forgiveness
11 days later at Charlie’s memorial service, his grieving widow, Erika, gave an incredible speech in honor of her husband. Near the end of the speech, she forgave her husband’s killer, mentioning how Christ on the cross also forgave his killers. What absolutely incredible courage and faith. There are no words to express how moving it was to watch Erika forgive her husband’s killer, who widowed her with two young children. This is what it means to follow Christ.
Imitation
Charlie and Erika give us incredible examples of what it means to imitate both Jesus and Mary.
Charlie gave everything to spread the Gospel, being murdered in the same ways as His Lord.
Erika, having the one she loved the most taken away from her in a brutal act of violence, publicly forgave his murderer. Erika forgave as Mary also forgave those who crucified her son.
This life is so difficult. Let us follow Charlie’s and Erika’s incredible example if we wish to be with Lazarus in Heaven. Always keep both the cross and Heaven in view in difficult trials and have unwavering faith that there will be a time where “God will wipe away every tear.” -Rev 21:4.
[Readings: Amos 6:1a, 4-7; 1 Timothy 6:11-16; Luke 16:19-31]
