God Always Wins
by Pat Gohn in Faith on Friday, September 10, 2010 6:00 AM
In the ultimate showdown between Divine Providence and evil, the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that evil hasn’t got a prayer.
When we – with finite minds – look around us, we might be tempted to think otherwise. (Evil certainly seems to have a bigger advertising budget…)
Just what is Divine Providence?
It is God’s work of guiding his creation (the universe, and us) toward perfection, (or Heaven) yet to be attained. Divine Providence is God’s protection and governance over things – the way God carries out “His Plan.”
Providence is active, alive and moving – just as the universe was created “in a state of journeying.” (See CCC 302)
Forgive a trivial analogy, but if the universe were the famed “Energizer Bunny”, Divine Providence would be powering its battery.
Jesus taught us that we must rely on God’s providential care:
“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?”. . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well. (Mt 6:31-33; cf. 10:29-31.)”
This trusting of Providence is necessary, not just that God can do something for us, but that we might do something for God: we can participate in God’s great plan.
CCC 306:
God is the sovereign master of his plan. But to carry it out he also makes use of his creatures’ co-operation. This use is not a sign of weakness, but rather a token of almighty God’s greatness and goodness. For God grants his creatures not only their existence, but also the dignity of acting on their own, of being causes and principles for each other, and thus of co-operating in the accomplishment of his plan.
God allows us to join with Providence in bringing about his divine plan! His sublime greatness alone would be sufficient, but God chooses to dignify human persons by giving them intelligence and free will, thereby inviting them to act with him in a god-like manner.
CCC 307:
Though often unconscious collaborators with God’s will, [human persons] can also enter deliberately into the divine plan by their actions, their prayers and their sufferings. They then fully become “God’s fellow workers” and co-workers for his kingdom (See 1 Cor 3:9; 1 Thes 3:2; Col 4:11).
Now, let’s get to the problem of evil…
Why did God create a world where evil could exist? If God is all-powerful, all-perfection, and all-wisdom, why not create something better?
To which the Catechism replies, in CCC 309:
There is not a single aspect of the Christian message that is not in part an answer to the question of evil.
(Note the use of italics in that quote. When the CCC really wants you to pay attention to something, italics are used.)
Let’s review: God in his wisdom and goodness created a world journeying toward its ultimate perfection.
This is precisely so that God’s creatures – possessing intelligence and free will – may choose their destiny. When they made godly decisions, and choose paths of love, they are perfected. When they choose otherwise, they sin and go astray. Thus, evil enters the world.
God created us with the power to choose, and he never takes that privilege away, even when it means we are capable of becoming “co-workers” with evil and rejecting him.
Why would that be? (Again, we think with finite minds, but God’s ideas are so much bigger and better.)
CCC 311:
God is in no way, directly or indirectly, the cause of moral evil. He permits it, however, because he respects the freedom of his creatures and, mysteriously, knows how to derive good from it.
It sounds crazy, even unfathomable … but in God’s economy, evil is never as powerful as Providence. Why? Think back to the Energizer Bunny: those other batteries pale in comparison to the Energizer. The same with evil… its power is a cheap substitute for Divine Providence.
Only God can bring something Good from evil.
We see this most profoundly in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ: it is the most heinous, and most monstrous evil ever committed, caused by the sins of all people.
Evil doesn’t get any worse than the chosen Son of God being rejected, brutally tortured, and murdered.
Yet, within Divine Providence, this death “brought the greatest of goods: the glorification of Christ and our redemption. But for all that, evil never becomes a good.” (See CCC 312.)
We catch a glimpse of this mystery in the words of St. Paul from Romans 8:28:
“We know that in everything God works for good for those who love him.”
Yup. I’d call that Divine Providence 1, Evil 0. Game over.
Want to read more?
Try CCC 320:
God created the universe and keeps it in existence by his Word, the Son “upholding the universe by his word of power” (Heb 1:3), and by his Creator Spirit, the giver of life.
—Pat Gohn is a wife & mother celebrating 27 years of Catholic family life. Her Catholic writing, podcasting, and ministry life are found at PatGohn.com.
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