Where is God?

When tragedies happen the question "Where is God" is not an uncommon one that comes up. "Where is God in all this?"  With the recent worldwide outbreak of the coronavirus, one may ask the same question, especially when we hear day after day the reporting of the increasing number of deaths. "Where is God?"

When tragedy struck America on September 11, 2001, the country came together. We stood united. 

In 2003 when SARS broke out we were worried about my family in Hong Kong.  People were dying.  Then I remember the artists and songwriters put up a concert "1:99 Concert."  It was a fundraising concert.  The people came together.  A year later in 2004, a crippling tsunami and earthquake struck Indonesia and other parts of South Asia.  Seeing the report in Times was heartbreaking - the countless number of bodies on the sand after the water had subsided.  In February 2008 when a devastating earthquake hit Sichaun, China, the world came together. I remember watching the reports with my father at home. There was a fundraising event happening for it in Hong Kong and I remember my dad making a donation. It was important for him to support "our people."  A short 8 months later, my father died unexpectedly. He was 58 years old.  "Where is God?"

It is so easy to question the presence of God in the midst of tragedy. It is so easy to dismiss the existence of God when things go wrong.  When things go wrong and God seemingly is no where to be found we tell ourselves that we now must take things into our own hands.  Look at the times I mentioned before when disaster struck and what happened.  The people stood united and supported one another. Where did we get the idea of helping one another, supporting one another, and standing united with one another?  Our mind, of course.  Our hearts.  It's what we were taught in school and at home, many might say.  Those are all correct.  Where did this goodness come from? From our hearts and minds.  Something innate tells us we ought to do that.  What do you think is this source of innate goodness? That's right, God.  So, "where is God?"  He's been here all along.  We have it in our hearts to do good because the source of all goodness and truth moves us to.  So, when tragedies happen, where is God?  Look at the people around you.  Look at those who you are quarantined with. Think about the fun conversations and quality time spent.  There is God.  "Where there is love and charity, there is God." Where is God in the midst of this pandemic?  He's in you.  He's in your family.  He's in your friends.  He's in the healthcare workers.  He's in the grocery store workers. He's in the sanitation workers.  He's in the leaders trying to figure this out.  He's in the countless number of unsung heroes who help those less fortunate.  So, where is God?  He is in you and me.  He is with you and me.  

So in the midst of this pandemic, "do not be unbelieving, but believe."  Let us be like Thomas who yes questioned the Lord and His Resurrection and needed physical proof to believe, but later believed and professed, "My Lord and my God."  Though sometimes we cannot feel or see the presence of God, we must persevere and know that He is there. When we receive or engage in an act of kindness or charity, God is right there.  It is God who is working in you and through you.  You become Christ for others.

Father, thank you for the gift of Your Son.  Thank you for the gift of our faith.  Thank you for the gift of our family and friends.  Thank you for the gift of being able to receive love.  Thank you for the gift of being able to experience suffering and to find meaning through it.  Thank you for suffering for us and with us. Thank you for making us instruments of your love and mercy.  Thank you for loving us.

Jesus, I trust in You!