The Catechism in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz) Day 44: The Scandal of Evil (2024)
7 snips
Feb 13, 2024 Explore the profound question of why evil exists in a world created by a good God. Fr. Mike discusses the relationship between freedom and moral evil, emphasizing that God permits evil to respect our choices. He highlights that while God doesn’t eliminate suffering, He redeems it, using examples like Joseph and Christ's passion to illustrate how good can emerge from grave evils. Trust in God’s providence is reinforced by the wisdom of saints, reminding us of the love and purpose inherent in life’s struggles.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
No Quick Answer—Faith Is The Answer
- The Catechism says there is no quick answer to why evil exists; only the whole Christian faith answers it.
- God's response to evil is himself entering, suffering, transforming, and redeeming it rather than removing or explaining it away.
A World Meant To Grow, Not Be Fixed
- God could have created a world without evil but chose a world journeying toward perfection so creatures can freely grow in love.
- Because creation is unfinished, physical goods bring risks and physical evils until perfection is reached.
Freedom Allows Love—and Moral Risk
- Angels and humans are free, intelligent creatures who must choose their path by love, so they can also go astray.
- Moral evil entered because free creatures can turn away from God, and this moral evil is worse than physical evil.