Catholic Q&A
If God cares for each and every human being, then why is there so much injustice in the world? For those who are handicapped with regard to both natural abilities and circumstances, what can be done in order that they may lead lives of hope?
In the present-day competitive society of Japan, it seems as though we cannot build our own happiness without kicking down other people. Those blessed with abilities and chances get steadily promoted, and due to their success many more are left behind and hurt. If we proceed like this, society will only grow colder and more inhuman. We need to do something and regain human dignity before God. Both as individuals and as a society, we need to cultivate the means of seeing things through the eyes of faith, and values based on love.
A prisoner who was transferred to a cell in Auschwitz once wrote, “this room has a small window above from which the blue sky is visible.” Those who have been deprived of all their liberty are happy with the little graces they receive. This really touched my heart, for people generally have an inclination to focus on the adverse aspects of their lives.
In the Gospels we have the case of the older brother who was envious of his father’s love for the Prodigal son (Luke 15:11～32), the companions who resented their master’s generous treatment of the unemployed (Matthew 20:1～16), and so on. There will be people having grudges against the “little ones” who are recipients of special love. However, unless you accept the fact that you also are a “little one” and a recipient of special love, you will not be able to grasp the meaning of this parable.
We don’t know why this injustice persists, but what we do know is that God loves each and every one of us as something irreplaceable. A range of flowers are in bloom within the flower garden of God, some large and some small. They all vary, and each one praises God to the maximum.
Speaking of handicaps, to a greater or lesser extent we are all weighed down by our past, or what we may perhaps call our destiny in life. Some burdens arise due to our own lapses, some have been received from others, while some have been imposed upon us since birth. Wounds like these may be simmering within of you, and feelings of envy may eventually explode deep within your mind like methane gas, thereby poisoning your entire body.
When recalling the wounded world, I feel compelled to pray ever more for the working of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the breath of the creation of God, who makes everything new. May the Holy Spirit heal the wounded, straighten the bent, and warm the cold.
I love mountains, and so when tired I often go hiking. I feel as though nature’s fresh air is reviving each and every cell of my body. In exactly the same manner, the breath of the life of God purifies each and every one of us.
The Gospels convey to us tales of Christ healing the blind and making the lame stand. Encounters with Christ transform reality. Even if it does not occur as a momentary miracle, just as fresh water flows into the River Dove in order to cleanse it, through our unity with Christ the Holy Spirit renews us in stages, and makes us alive in the life of God. I pray that the face of the Earth be renewed in this manner.