Questo articolo è disponibile anche in: Italian English

Question

Dear Father Angelo,

I have read several of your  responses to questions posed by readers. Questions that sometimes touch on extremely complex topics, particularly whenever the problem of evil and suffering is discussed. I lost a daughter to an aggressive cancer and I find that the best answer, beyond any theological doctrine, is just a summon to pass the test with the heroic faith that is asked of us. All the rest, with the utmost respect, I do not think that helps. Just as I don’t think the mystery of the Cross is fully comprehensible. We must  lower our heads and accept.

Sincerely

Piero

Response from the priest

1. Thank you, dearest Piero, for what you have written and I strongly participate  in your pain.

In such sad moments, some like you prefer silence. And I understand it.

I’d be like you, too.

Indeed, I would feel the desire to withdraw somewhere, as Jesus Christ did when he heard that John the Baptist had been beheaded.

2. Others, instead, question themselves and seek for answers from  God and consequently to his ministers.

That’s why there are so many questions on this topic from our visitors.

3. Jesus Christ wanted to shed light on the mystery of death, also.

There is a Gospel (good news) about this, as well.

We cannot simply say: lower your head.

Even yourself, when your daughter asked you for explanations for certain commands, you did not simply say: lower your head and obey.

While this was ultimately supposed to be the outcome of your command, you nevertheless gave her some reasons.

4. I always have the experience of immense pain that I felt when I was an assistant scout. An explorer, a 15-year-old boy, had died trying to save his twin brother from drowning in the river.

The drowning twin was saved, but the brother who had jumped to save him and who actually did save him was dragged away by a whirlpool and his body was found only the next day.

In the evening, when the body had not yet been found and the divers had suspended the search, I went to the parents together with some scout leaders.

While the father was with the divers we talked to the mother.

At that moment, I told her how the dead son, by giving his life to save his brother, had begun to live.

Simply put, I applied the five glorious mysteries of Christ’s life to that boy’s life.

Well, this woman was so impressed that she said to me: Father, come tomorrow morning and repete to my son what you have told  me.

The next morning I went and talked to everyone.

As you can see, there is also a need for consolation.

Above all, there is a need to continue living in communion.

5. I am convinced that you too, in the pain endured with such great faith, have consoled many who had come to cry with you for the death of your daughter.

You may not have said a word to them, but I am sure that your unwavering faith in such a dramatic moment was a particularly eloquent sermon for all.

And so those who had come to console you, in turn, went back home consoled.

I embrace you fraternally.

I gladly remember you in prayer.

Together with you, I also remember your dearest daughter and all your loved ones.

I bless you.

Father Angelo