In the passage for this week the disciples ask Jesus why Pilate had murdered innocent Galileans on their way to the Temple in Jerusalem (Luke 13:1-9). The disciples are asking the perennial question of why a God who is either all-knowing (omniscient) or all powerful allows suffering in the world. The Christian belief is that the mystery of love is more prescient than the reality of evil. Evil is hard to understand but good is even more so. This sentiment is expressed in the following prayer attributed to Mother Theresa of Calcutta. People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centred – forgive them anyway. If you are kind people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives – be kind anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you – be honest and sincere anyway. If you find serenity and happiness some may be jealous – be happy anyway. The good you do today will often be forgotten – do well anyway. In the final analysis it is between you and God. It never was between you and them anyway.

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