Even when there’s no fairness, there is love
We should find hope and optimism in the countless acts of selflessness happening now
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Author and Rabbi Harold S Kushner in his No. 1 bestselling book: When Bad Things Happen to Good People does his best to answer this timeless question. He avoids complex theological explanations and debates and tries to not give us reasons but in some small way attempts to help us to understand this dilemma from a purely human perspective.
Rereading this important book recently I could not help but contemplate the world’s current crisis, with the deadly epidemic we are now facing. Many of us ask why did this happen? Rabbi Kushner clearly states that he cannot believe in a God that is cruel but we all understand that pain, and suffering and death are part of the human condition. He asks us to accept the fact that illness and disease are part of the inevitable consequence of our being human and mortal and living in a world under natural laws.
He suggests perhaps it is more helpful to rephrase the question by asking: “Now that this has happened what are we going to do about it? Where does this lead us?”
To answer this question I would like to begin by reflecting on the courageous front-line medical people who have chosen a vocation because they were inspired to help people who are suffering. Sadly, in these times of isolation they are often called on to hold the hand of a dying person as they take their last breath offering comfort and kindness in the absence of family and friends. I would encourage you to search the internet for the many images of exhausted doctors and nurses with their bruised and discoloured faces caused by long shifts wearing protective gear. They are risking their lives every day to help their fellow man
Contrast these images with the joyous celebration of dozens of hospital staff lining the hallways — cheering and clapping and even dancing as they bid farewell to a young mother who is now well enough to return home to her loving spouse and children. Or the video of the Capt. Tom Moore, 99 year old British Second World War veteran who has raised more than $40 million for the National Health Service as he completes his one-hundredth lap of his garden pathway using his walker. Watching him sing: “Never walk alone” with Michael Ball is truly an inspirational experience.
I think also of the world’s best medical researchers as they collaborate, focusing all their intellectual abilities to discover the cause of this virus and soon to develop the vaccines we need to protect the human race.
As we all cope with the radical changes to our lives, we can find some comfort in the words of our leaders. Queen Elizabeth reassures us that we will succeed, better days will return, we will meet again
And Capt. Tom tells us that we will get through this in the end. It will be all right. We shall all be OK again. The sun will shine on you again and the clouds will go away.
Rabbi Kushner comes to accept the fact that bad things continue to happen to good people. His own son, Aaron was diagnosed with progeria, “rapid aging” at the age of two. He was told he would grow to only three feet in height, would have no hair on his head or body, would look like a very old man while he was still a child and would die in his early teens.
He concludes his book by reminding us that God has created a world where many more good things than bad things happen. That He inspires people to help other people who have been hurt by life
Let us remember to be grateful for and find some hope in the countless acts of selflessness and kindness by so many people at this difficult time. There may not be fairness but there is always love.