I watched the news last week in utter disbelief. The big story was the horrific execution-style murder of five young schoolgirls in front of their terrorized classmates in the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania. Dear God, not again! There had already been another school shooting in Colorado the week before.

Monday's tragedy was especially heartbreaking because the victims belonged to a people who choose to live a simple and spiritually-based lifestyle. The Amish community is set apart from the conveniences, technology and violence of the modern world. They are peaceful and God-fearing. And yet, evil was still visited upon them.

Why is there evil in the world? This question is often followed by blame: How can a good God allow such tragedy to occur?

These are questions that have been pondered since the dawn of humanity. Plagues, war, accidents, murder — the list of tragic events goes on and on. We shake our heads as we read about the latest rash of serial murders in the morning paper. We shudder in horror upon hearing that a mysterious rapist is loose in our neighborhood. History teaches us about the atrocities of Hitler's Holocaust, and those of a certain generation still feel a numbness in their hearts when they remember the assassinations of President John Kennedy, his brother Bobby, and the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of us are broken in grief when a loved one dies or is diagnosed with an incurable illness. Why indeed does God allow such horrors?

Human nature likes to place blame for that which cannot be understood. God is an easy target. So is the sinfulness of humanity. I remember reading once how a popular television evangelist warned his congregation that they should expect more floods, hurricanes and earthquakes as God's judgment for the sins and perversions that people commit. What an absolutely foolish and irresponsible thing to say! If humanity's sinfulness is to blame then what accounts for the scientifically documented fact that natural disasters have been occurring on this planet for millions of years before the first humans were even born?

Ultimately, there is no answer to the question, "Why is there evil in the world?" Trying to find the answer or trying to place the blame on someone or Someone will only lead to frustration. Consider this: Even the Son of God had to endure evil and tragedy. Jesus surely grieved at the death of his foster father, Joseph. Many times his own life was threatened, as portrayed in Luke 4:28-30 when a crowd tried to hurl him off a cliff. He wept upon hearing news of the death of his friend, Lazarus. And, as we all know, Jesus endured the ultimate pain and suffering, unjustly nailed to a cross in an excruciating and humiliating public execution.

The Son of God, who had the power to calm the seas and raise the dead, allowed himself to accept the suffering that we all must face. What does this teach us?

"Why is there evil in the world?" I think we are asking the wrong question. When tragedy befalls would it not be better to ask: "How can I find meaning in this suffering?" and "What can I do to alleviate suffering and evil?"

By accepting death on a cross, Jesus taught us in a most eloquent way that evil and suffering are inevitable. Indeed, he taught us that suffering can be redemptive. When evil raises its ugly head, instead of moping and asking "Why?" let us ask, "How can I help?" How can I find the redemption in this suffering?

No, we don't know why the Amish children of Pennsylvania had to suffer such unspeakable horror. But instead of blaming God or anybody else, how about joining our Amish brethren in prayer and in their dedication to non-violence? Why not consider Jesus' example of peaceful resistance as a model for our lives and our modern politics? Can we work together as a community to ensure the safety of our schools and our neighborhoods?

Why is there evil in the world? I don't know. But I do know that we will find life, and the meaning of life, by walking with each other, hand in hand, with Jesus in the way of the cross. This was Jesus' mission, and so it must be ours.

St. Paul struggled with this question in 2 Corinthians 12:10 —

For the sake of Christ,
I willingly accept my weakness
and my trials,
for when I am powerless,
then I am strong.

For Further Reflection:
From Darkness Into Light: When God seemed absent, how did you cope? When death was all around, how did you find life?