The Patrick Madrid Show Why Would God Allow the Texas Tragedy to Happen? (Special Podcast Highlight)
Patrick Madrid opens up after the heart-shattering Texas floods that took the lives of many: including two young Catholic girls found holding their Rosaries. This isn’t a tidy theology talk; it’s a gut-wrenching, faith-clinging, grief-soaked conversation about why God allows suffering, and how we hold on when life falls apart.
The Caller: Cecile from Bryan, Texas
Cecile calls in, her heart cracked wide open. Her nephew just lost his best friend, his wife, and their two children. His question is one we all ask eventually: “How could God let this happen?”
Patrick doesn’t pretend to have the magic answer. In fact, his first move is humility:
“There is no answer that will make this okay. Not now.”
But what he does offer is one of the most compassionate and theological walk-throughs of the “Problem of Evil” you’ll ever hear in Catholic media.
Key Takeaways:
God Is Not the Author of Evil
Evil, whether moral (caused by free will choices) or natural (like floods, cancer, etc.), was never part of God’s original design.
These came through the Fall: a ripple effect from the sin of Adam and Eve that distorted creation itself.
Natural Disasters Are Part of a Broken World
Nature itself is “off” because of sin.
But this isn’t a cosmic punishment; it's a sign that we’re living in a world still groaning for redemption (Romans 8:22).
God Doesn’t Just “Allow” Suffering... He Entered Into It
The ultimate answer to suffering isn’t a what, it’s a who: Jesus on the Cross.
God didn’t stay distant. He became a man and suffered with us, for us.
A Father’s Heart
Patrick shares a personal story about his toddler son, Tim, who was bleeding from a head wound. At the ER, his son cried out:
“Daddy, help me!”
Patrick could’ve stopped it... but didn’t, because letting the doctor stitch the wound was what would ultimately heal him.
The parallel: God the Father sees us screaming in pain... and He still lets it happen; it's not because He’s indifferent, but it's because He knows the healing that’s coming later.
Cecile’s Beautiful Insight:
She echoes it all with such tender faith:
“God is there. Just like you were with your son, Patrick. God is there, with us in it... holding us.”
Yes. Amen.
The Final Word:
Maybe, just maybe... we’ll be like little Tim someday, looking back and finally understanding.
Until then, we weep, we pray, and we cling to this promise:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” -Matthew 5:4
Take time today to pray for those affected in Texas. And if you’re struggling with your own grief, go ahead and be honest with God. Cry out. Ask why. He can take it, and He is with you.
Jesus, man of sorrows, be near to those who mourn. Hold them. Heal them. And help us all to trust You, even in the dark.