The experience of pain and joy

As I look out my window this morning, I see the kowhai tree with it yellow blossoms a few metres away. A tui flies onto its branches and the sun lights up the iridescent colours of it's blue, green and black feathers. I feel called to praise God for the beauty of the world he has gifted us, but there is also a feeling of sadness when I think of how much is being destroyed by climate change caused by human greed. Then there is the suffering inflicted on millions of people by oppressive leaders in Myanmar, Afghanistanand Ethiopia to mention just a few of such countries. The problem of evil in the world has long been discussed and various reasons have been given for it. In today's gospel (Luke 11:15-26), we see how the Jewish people in the time of Jesus attributed sickness and suffering to the presence demons and evil spirits. Today, we give a different explanation. We have been created by our loving Father who wants us to love him and all that he has created. Love has to be freely given. It cannot be forced. But if we have been given the gift of choosing freely, it means that we can also refuse to love and seek what seems to be for our profit and pleasure. So rain forests are cut down to swell the bank accounts of a few; people are tortured and murdered because thay oppose a power hungry dictator. I look back at the tui in the kowhai and thank God for all the good, loving, kind people in the world and pray that through their and our efforts and prayers, God's gifts may be freely recognized, respected and protected. ''The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light to protect all life.'' (Final prayer of Laudato Si.)