Why do bad things happen to good people? Where is God's justice when it comes to the world? It is easy to say that Tabitha's death ultimately glorified God. Yet so many good people, who, like Tabitha in this story from Acts, are "devoted to good works and acts of charity," get sick or die. We cannot understand. Many unethical, destructive people live long lives or remain in power; many self-giving people die young or have obstacles in their way. We call upon God for healing, but we know that is not always God's will. Paul says that God's ways are inscrutable (Romans 11.33). There is much we can never understand about the divine, other than God's presence and grace. Life does not follow our understanding of justice, the human ways of keeping score. Despite our injustice, God's steadfast love and mercy endure forever.
Tabitha's story links us to the tenth anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11. Many people died on that day. Many of their stories glorified God. None of them deserved death. We cry out to God, grieve, and seek to overcome evil with good.
We are also reminded of the people who stepped forward and were willing to die to rescue others. Many ran away from the towers to escape, few ran towards. Many acts of rescue and compassion rose above the occasion. Like Peter, many overcame the fear, sadness and desperation surrounding them to show the dignity of God's creation in humanity. Many gave.
Thanks be to God!
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