Good evening Father Angelo,

I wanted to ask you for answers to my questions: 

1) Some people argue that evil, suffering and illness, even though negative, are permitted by God in order to bring about good and can serve to help man atone for his sins and redeem himself while still on Earth.

Although difficult to accept, I agree with this statement, but I wonder why some people are more inclined towards evil and have more physical and psychological weaknesses than others. 

2) Could the evil committed by one’s parents and ancestors be transmitted in some way to their children and even turn into physical illnesses?

3) I have been living in God’s grace and prayer for years, but I still have emotional, character and psychological limitations that affect me, and which come out especially in times of difficulty and hardship.

4) Perhaps I must resign myself to a continuous spiritual struggle?

 Perhaps if I received what I ask for, I would become proud?

 Perhaps God wants to remind us that we are creatures and He is the Creator?

 Perhaps God, before healing my body, wants to radically heal my soul?

 Or perhaps the time is not yet ripe for Him to grant me new graces?

Thank you.

Priest’s answer

Dear friend,

1. I could say that evil is a mystery, in the sense that we cannot discover all the reasons why the Lord allows it.

One thing we are certain of: God does not want it.

We are also certain of another truth, namely that the presence of evil does not diminish His omnipotence, but rather exalts it even more because He allows it in order to bring about greater good.

2. It is right to pray that the Lord deliver us from evil.

The Lord himself commanded us to do so.

However, we have the impression, and not just an impression, that sometimes our prayers, even when persistent and made with the proper disposition, go unheard.

Heaven sometimes seems silent and impassive.

3. However, this silence is particularly eloquent because it compels us to inquire further and focus our attention on other aspects of personal and ecclesial life.

The first reality that God points out to us is the One whom Sacred Scripture defines as “the man of suffering, accustomed to infirmity” (Is 53:3).

Looking at the crucified Christ, we find ourselves before innocent suffering. “We have been condemned justly,” says the good thief, “but this man has done nothing criminal.” (Lk 23:41).

It is true, “what evil has he done?” (Mt 27:23).

Why then the evil?

4. There is another reality, also mysterious and never fully understood: that of redemption, which passes through expiation and leads to a new life.

This new life is not just any life, but a supernatural and eternal life, given in advance through grace.

5. Coming more directly to you, you have found many answers to God’s silence in response to your repeated prayers. They are all correct.

I think that many have felt them as you have in the secret of their conscience, and they have been a source of comfort and trust.

But first and foremost, there is the answer that comes from the cross of Christ and which St Paul expressed in these words: “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking  in the afflictions of Christ on behalf of his body, which is the church”(Col 1:24).

These are more or less the same words that Our Lady recalled at Fatima since her first apparition when she asked the three little shepherds: “Are you willing to offer yourselves to God to bear all the sufferings he will send you, in reparation for the sins by which he is offended and as a supplication for the conversion of sinners?”

6. It is not right to look to our parents or ancestors as the cause of our suffering. In Ezekiel we read: “The son shall not be charged with the guilt of his father, nor shall the father be charged with the guilt of his son. The virtuous man’s virtue shall be his own, as the wicked man’s wickedness shall be his own.”(Ezekiel 18:20).

“Therefore I will judge you, house of Israel, each one according to his ways, says the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 18:30).

The presence of suffering reminds us that we are not in paradise on earth, nor is this the ultimate goal of our present life.

“For here we have no lasting city”(Hebrews 13:14).

The meaning of the present life is to prepare ‘a good foundation for the future, so as to win the life that is true life”. (1 Tim 6:19).

Within this life, we are preparing another.

It is in relation to that life, which is not temporary but eternal, that judgments about the present life should be expressed.

7. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made statements that are unacceptable to those who are not open to the transcendent. 

But these are the words addressed by God to people of all times: “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Mt 5:4) and “Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:10).

And again: “Blessed are you when they insult you, persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven” (Mt 11-12).

Only by looking to the future life does it all make sense.

I am close to you in your suffering. Together with you, I offer it to God for the sanctification of your soul, for the good of humanity, and in particular for the salvation of souls.

I bless you and remember you in my prayers.

Father Angelo

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