God is punishing us?

The article I wrote last week concluded with the statement that God did not send COVID-19 to us, nor does God create racists. Allow me to continue.

Scientists admit that viruses mystify them. Among the many billions of viruses that exist most are harmless, but, some are deadly to humans and/or animals, and remedies and vaccines are few. And as they study these viruses, they are also trying to determine if they can manipulate them for some good, for human health, not disease. These scientists want to find the full range of possibilities for viruses. Perhaps viruses are like bacteria: some good, some bad. There are bacteria that consume human flesh – bad! And some that consume petroleum waste products – good! Humans must seek to collaborate with nature for the good.

With all of the unknowns about viruses, and with all that we believe about God who is loving, merciful, compassionate and forgiving, why do we think God is punishing us, or trying to teach us something with the COVID-19?

Why are people racist? There are multiple explanations, but one of those explanations is NOT that God created them! Racism is learned. Ultimately, racism is a sign of human weakness, not strength. Thinking that someone or some group possesses characteristics as a part of a racial, ethnic or national group in order to distinguish them as inferior or superior is racist. It is sinful.

We are not born as racists. We are taught explicitly by others whose opinions we value, or implicitly by watching and listening to how others behave. As Christians we believe that God created us with dignity and such dignity makes us equal. There are many traits that we possess that differentiate us, but we are still equal in value in God’s eyes.

We can unlearn racist and prejudicial attitudes and behaviors, but it would be better if we never learned them. The innocence of a child is to be respected and treated with care. Racist jokes, references, nick-names, etc. all contribute to a child becoming just like the adults who formed him/her.

True story: a 5-year-old boy was proud that his Daddy drove a UPS delivery truck. One day a UPS truck turned onto his street. The boy was excited because, “It might be Daddy!” As the truck went by the boy was sad. It was not his Daddy. He said: “No, it’s not him. My Daddy is bald, not like that guy.” His mother put her hand to her mouth in surprise. The driver had a full head of hair, and he was black! Their family was white.

Peace, Fr. Andy