Why is it whenever someone asks “Where is God?” they almost never ask, “Where is the evil one?”
This isn’t an argument of semantics, but one of whether we recognize there are two sides in life’s battle.
Evil can be present in Ukraine, in Russia, in China, and in the United States, because everyone has a chance to choose between good and evil.
In science, the proof of something is not always in the positive. For example, one can seek proof that the world is flat, and yet, the proof is that the world is not flat. Or one may wish to prove that light travels at a certain speed and is not just “on” or “off.” By watching light stream to us from the stars, we learn we are seeing the past because light must have time to travel to us, and what is happening on the star right now is not yet visible to us.
In Jesus’ life, we learn in Matthew’s Gospel, 4:8-9, “The devil then took Him up a very high mountain and displayed before him all the kingdoms of the world in their magnificence, promising ‘All these will I bestow on you if you prostrate yourself in homage before me.’” Jesus chose not to, but how can we be so sure that others on Earth have not given themselves to the evil one? For the love of money, power and control? In Ukraine, in Russia, in China, and in the U.S.?
We have a beautiful example of the graces provided to those who do not give up when they see evil in the world and choose to act and pray. St. Monica, learning of her son Augustine’s sinful ways, prayed and prayed for his return to the faith. In the end, St. Augustine’s conversion and then his autobiography, “Confessions,” would become one of the greatest philosophical and spiritual treasures of the Church and humanity.
When we hear of bad news in the world, are we only looking for God? Or do we acknowledge the work of the evil one and reconfirm our part to promote peace and love?
In our homes, is there someone we need to forgive, or perhaps someone we need to ask for forgiveness? Or at work, is there someone who needs our help? Or someone we have taken advantage of? In the world, is there evil we have yet to pray for its end? Have we acted to help others to pray? Do we even know that prayers matter? Especially in prayerful repetition, such as when praying the rosary?
It is not enough to ask where God is. We must recognize that He expects us to help. And He grants free will to everyone, so it is not as simple as just any one of us changing our minds. We must act to help others change their minds, and to help one another. And strangely, in prayerful actions in faith, we will find God is present – in Ukraine, in Russia, in China, and in the U.S. Even when we cannot see Him. All the time.
Jon Gauthier is a member of St. Matthew Church in Charlotte and the author of “Embracing Goodness: How Life Works.”