Where Was God? A Franciscan Response to the Las Vegas Shooting
In the wake of the deadly attack in Las Vegas, a wide range of questions have emerged, such as: Where was God during this tragedy? How could God let this happen? And how do we find peace?
Franciscan Father Pat McCloskey takes on those tough questions.
The Legacy of the Franciscans
There have been several Franciscan popes in history, most recently Pope Clement XIV (1769–1774). He is remembered, among other things, for having suppressed the Society of Jesus. Ironically, the first Jesuit elected pope, Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, became the first to assume the name of Francis. Some initial speculation focused on whether he had meant to invoke the great Jesuit missionary Saint Francis Xavier, or perhaps Saint Francis de Sales. But no, as the new pope soon made clear—his inspiration was none other than Saint Francis of Assisi.
God Always Waits for Us
Maybe someone among us here is thinking: my sin is so great, I am as far from God as the younger son in the parable, my unbelief is like that of Thomas; I don’t have the courage to go back, to believe that God can welcome me and that he is waiting for me, of all people. But God is indeed waiting for you; he asks of you only the courage to go to him.
