Parental pain -- human and Divine

(September 1996)

   It is hard for us parents to see our kids hurt from any kind of injury.  We want to protect them from whatever might harm them.  There is so much potential for pain: the skinned knees, the scrapes, the bumps, bruises.  And there's more, oh so much more.

   God must feel the same kind of parental pain.  What about something more serious?  How would you as a parent feel if because of the actions of one of your children, another child of yours was seriously hurt or killed?  What kind of emotions would you go through?  How would you react?

   I think that considering these questions and answers gives us a little understanding of what God goes through each time one of us hurts another.  Yet people can say that God is idle, while allowing such atrocities to go on in our world.  I believe that such actions tear at the very being of God.

   So why does God let the anger and violence continue?  How could we protect our children from every single danger?  We couldn't without smothering them and giving them no choices, no freedom to make their own mistakes.

   My son is 19 months old and in his short life my wife and I have done much to protect him and prevent catastrophes, yet he has had his share of bumps, bruises and scrapes.  As much as we'd like to, we can't forsee every problem situation.

   In all relationships our humanity shows through and emotions, positive or negative are present.  Tensions can mount and erupt with severe results.  When we opt for security the result is a loss of liberty.  Is that a worthwhile trade-off or is it within our power to affect the situation.

   There are lots of things we can do about our actions and reactions.  Many times I don't stop to consider how what I do will affect others. A more loving approach would go much further in making the world a better place.

   St. Therese's prayer says we are His hands and feet on Earth.  God is present in many ways through people.  The comforting, consoling power is extended through us.  Cheer someone on, lift someone up; God is life-giving through us.