Before the Face of Providence: Understanding Freedom, Sin, and the Wisdom of God
Preamble Few questions trouble the human heart more than this: If God is good, why is there evil? It has vexed not only the fool who says in his heart “ There is no God” (Ps. 13:1), but even those who love and serve Him. The so-called philosopher wrestles with it in his pride; the saint, in his tears. The sick man asks it in pain, the mother in sorrow, the soldier amid ruin, the penitent in temptation. A set of questions posed by a faithful asking for clarifications in feedback to the catechism corner of my Sunday bulletin for the 18th Sunday After Pentecost drew attention to this topical theme. The Catholic answer to the questions makes it clear that through all the shadows, whatever it may be, Providence reigns unshaken. Yes. God’s wisdom is like the sun behind the storm-cloud: unseen, but never absent. He permits what He could prevent, that He might draw forth from the wreckage of sin the triumph of grace. The same Hand that allows the wound pours in the balm and crowns the pat...
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