“God spoke to Abraham, ‘I will maintain my covenant with you and your descendants after you throughout the ages as an everlasting pact, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.’”

(From Genesis 17:3-9)

“God is ever-faithful.”  I can’t tell you how many times in my years here at Saint Jude I have made that statement in a homily.  “God is ever-faithful.”  I would ask you two questions today: do you believe it?  And, if so, what does that mean to you?  Because we often feel our trust in this promise being put to the test.  When Russia began its attack over a year ago on Ukraine, that weighed heavily on my heart and still does.  A few days ago when we heard about the school shootings and killings at the Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, I felt it again.  Then I hear from family and friends and others of their personal, day-to-day struggles.  People often ask me lately, “what’s happening to our world?”  Is there more violence and abuse now than in the past?  Or are we just more aware of it because of technology and all our digital connections? Either way, it hurts, makes us sad, and perhaps makes us wonder where we’re all heading. 

Be sure of this: God’s promise to Abraham is God’s promise to us.  “I will maintain my covenant with you throughout the ages.”  Maybe now more than in a while we need to hear those words.  Personally, I most definitely believe God is ever-faithful and will always be.  However, and this is a big however, it’s probably crucial for us to ponder what this means.  One of the areas of life (and theology) about which I am very passionate is what you could call a “theology of suffering.”  Among other things, this involves how we talk with others, especially our children, about bad things and why they happen.  There are certain statements that some people, with the best intentions, make to those who are suffering.  Sometimes these statements are good, and sometimes they risk causing emotional damage.  So, I suggest we all be even more conscious of the language we use in such moments.  Here’s an example, though.  One of the statements that we’ve all probably made to others is, “you’re gonna be ok.”  That’s fine, as long as we understand that “ok” does not necessarily mean “the same.”  Things change.  Things may change us or our outlook on life, other people, and maybe even God.  Through our suffering, we can be transformed into something new.  However, it begins with the promise of the one thing that does not change, the one thing that remains the same; namely, God is ever-faithful. 

God does not cause suffering but is present in it with us, through it all, offering us a transformation that is beyond our understanding.  To be sure, this does not mean, “do not near…do not be sad…do not be angry.” It simply says, “trust me enough to take the next step.  I will see you through.”