"Theodicy…..the branch of theology that defends God's goodness and justice in the face of the existence of evil; an attempted answer to the problem of evil; the justification of a deity, or the attributes of a deity, especially in regard to the existence of evil and suffering in the world."

Last week I found myself wrestling with what, in 'churchy' circles are referred to as questions of theodicy. The basic question is this: If God is good and God is love, why is there evil and suffering? Why doesn't God 'do' something when bad things happen to good people? I found myself once again confronted with these questions as I attended the funeral of a friend who had been killed in a tragic accident, a friend who had struggled in many ways throughout her life, and it simply seemed wrong that she died in such a horrible way. Of course, it was wrong,no question, but the 'question behind the question, can often be, so where was God in all this?

And then yesterday as our group that plans worship read through the scriptures for next Sunday's service, once again we were confronted with evil in the world,however that might present itself. In book of Ephesians, evil comes from the devil and the task at hand is to overthrow the devil. Since most of the folks present saw the devil as an ancient creation of people to make sense of evil, we found ourselves spinning around in this theodicy question again. To be able to pin the problem on something outside ourselves seemed too easy, allowing us to relinquish responsibility. We were all in the same boat in believing 'the devil didn't do it.'

Last evening as I was reflecting on all the events of the past week, I found myself swimming in the words and intentions of those who have tried to make sense of a world that isn't fair,is often cruel and violent, that doesn't add up. I realized that, with all the progress we have made as human beings, some of the biggest life questions, still elude us. It is humbling, isn't it?

As my eyes shut for the night's sleep, I was no further along with the theodicy question than I suspect anyone else is. But at least I hang my heart and life on this: in the places of the most pain, the most violence, I believe the Holy stands in the midst of it all, crying out. In those times of deep darkness and despair, I trust the healing hand of the One who dreamed us into being to be holding on. In the times when we humans are so removed from the deep knowledge that we are created in the image of the Sacred that we are capable of unspeakable acts, that same One looks on, hoping beyond hope that we will turn our face toward the mirror that will allow us to remember and be made whole once again.

In that moment, it is not about the devil or anyone or anything else. It is about standing face to face with the One who reflects back only kindness, only goodness, only love, asking us to go and do likewise.