Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from you.”

NEW: Why do bad things happen to good people?” None of you need me to provide examples. They are all around us, in the media, in our neighbors and in our own lives. Philosophy and theology often call this a problem. (‘The bad things that happen’ covers anything that affects my life or happiness adversely from earthquake to disease.)  

However, the word problem is disputed because problem usually refers to an issue which does have an answer. For instance, those math problems in grade school. (The teacher and my father knew the answers; I didn’t.) If the word problem is limited this way, an alternative is to speak of the mystery of why bad things happen to good people.

Why mystery? The term seems better because it indicates we are trying to talk about matters that cannot be fully expressed in human language. Put another way: mystery isn’t something simply too difficult for the human mind but too full of meaning and depth for the limited instrument that is the human mind. It is like using a schoolroom microscope to probe outer space.

The ancient Far East spoke of mystery this way: “Those who know don’t say; those who say don’t know.”  A warning against too easy talk about mystery.  Church leaders need be wary of too much certainty or precision in religious and theological matters.

Similarly, why we love someone may, despite our words, remain a mystery to others.

David McCullough, in his biography of John Adams the second president of the USA (1797-1801), tells us that Adams did not believe everything would be explained once we had enough knowledge. Mystery, he wrote, is essential. “Admire and honor the creator, do everything in your power to rid the world of bad things and to encourage the good, but never assume to comprehend it.” Never think you have understood it. 

To sum up: mystery is the term for matters like why bad things happen to good people. Or, the resurrection, or life and death— or much that surrounds us. Knowing that gives us reason for reverence, thanksgiving and even joy in the world around us.

Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”

Reply to Fr. Don at: DTalafous@csbsju.edu

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