Why are we faced with this Coronavirus pandemic? We believe God to be all-powerful and all-knowing. So, why doesn’t He end the Coronavirus? This question involves what is referred to as the “the problem of evil.” Carried to the extreme, there are people who take the presence of evil to indicate that either God doesn’t exist, or, if he does, he is not all-powerful because he can’t stop the evil.

God does exist. So, how do we respond to “the problem of evil?” First, God does not cause evil. God gives free will to make our own choices. Unfortunately, sometimes we make bad choices. There are consequences to our bad choices.

For example, my mother lived her final years with emphysema. In her final weeks, she had lung cancer. Why? Because she smoked for thirty years. Now, I know that no everyone who smokes gets these diseases but it can be expected. God didn’t give her lung disease to punish her. It came because of her choices.

What is evil? First, we need to realize that material things are not evil in and of themselves. They simply are. We make choices on how to use material things, sometimes for good, sometimes for evil. For instance, money is used in the natural course of transactions. It is a means for the exchange of goods. Thus, it can serve a good purpose. However, sometimes we get greedy and we make bad choices. Here I shared Paul’s words in 1 Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.” Our love of money can lead us to evil activity so that we might have more money.

In the same way, a gun is not evil in itself. A gun can be used to provide food for one’s family. This is good. A gun can be used for protection. However, a gun can be used in terrorism, theft, and violence. Using a gun in this way is evil but not the gun itself.

What about the Coronavirus? Is it evil? I would say that the Coronavirus is not good or evil. It simply is. However, it comes with many bad consequences. Is the devil at work here? (See the Book of Job in the Bible.)

What about God? In the Old Testament, one hears of plagues. Did God create the Coronavirus to punish us? Honestly, I can’t answer that question but I tend to think not. It is natural for viruses to mutate. If someone intentionally creates a deadly virus, there may be evil in their action. That is for God to judge.

However, God can use the Coronavirus pandemic to get us to think about how we have been living our lives. Is God our top priority? Or have we let earthly things be our biggest priority? Has being shut in led you to change your priorities? Have you used the time to work on your relationship with God?

We pray for an end to the pandemic. In the meantime, we pray for all those affected. We ask God to give each person what they need to persevere. Evil will not prevail. God is victorious. God walks hand in hand with us.

Peace,

Fr. Jeff