WHY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE

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"And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?" (Luke 13:4)

Having just penned the title of this reading, it occurs to me that there is an immediate implication that I, (or anyone else) knows the answer. (I don't, and they don't). At least, as human beings we can't begin to fathom the fathomless reasons bad things happen to good people. 

The scripture with which I began this blog immediately came to me when I heard about the recent death of an Ecuadorian Catholic priest. Perhaps most of my contemporary readers are aware of this occurrence, (but there will be those who read my words years from now who may need to be reminded).

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, just 27 minutes into the live broadcast of the church service, a heavy wall crucifix broke away from its moorings, and came crashing down on Father Patricio Alfredo Sanchez Molinari; killing him instantly.

And reminiscent of Jesus' words in Luke 13, it would be easy to think this dear man must have been guilty of some unpardonable sin, and Providence was exercising its judgement upon him. I mean, a priest engaged in his sacred duties, and the most cherished icon of the Catholic Church instantly and independently dislodges itself, and slams down on him from behind, and kills him outright!

Now, to be sure, I cannot know the agenda, or character of Father Molinari. However, I have lived long enough on this good earth to understand that bad things simply happen to good people, and that good things simply happen to bad people, (sometimes, more so the latter, than the former); and that it has little or nothing to do with sin.

Speaking of the seeming randomness of it all, or at least some peoples' misguided notions that just because they are believers God will always act on their behalf, and save them from a multitude of harm. I ran across a book with a title I have long since forgotten, but the implication was (paraphrased), "How to Pray so That God Answers Your Prayers." 

Well, my friends, whether saint or sinner, or somewhere in between God is not somehow indebted to you that He is required to answer your prayers the way you order the outcome. I mean, if you had asked any of the saints of Hebrews Chapter 11, "Would you like to be saved from (name the particular calamity)?" Of course, they would have responded in the affirmative. 

And then, I saw this social media post which posed the proposition, "Write 'Amen' under this post, and God will rescue you from the issue you are currently facing." I'm sorry. That ain't how it works. And I not only responded in that manner, but I went on to make them aware that their post was little more than a spiritual horoscope!

However, before you say, "Well then, what's the use?" Allow me to assure you that God is the author and finisher of our days, and ways, or at least His ways, and that He knew the sum of your circumstances before He made the worlds; (including the untimely death of Father Molinari).

He is a God we can trust, and with Whom we can invest all the yet unwritten words on all the blank pages of all the days of all the years which yet remain to us here.

by Bill McDonald, PhD