Moving from Why? to What?

Navigating a Response of Faith in the Turbulent Waters of this Pandemic

In my current work as a professor, researcher and consultant, I am among the lucky for whom the transition to working online and from home was a relatively seamless one. In fact — ZOOM fatigue and a great desire to hug the people I love notwithstanding — I am relieved, impressed and surprised by all we seem to be able to accomplish using online platforms!

As a Nova Scotian, I always reserve the right to use ocean-related metaphors for important matters and this global pandemic is surely one of those: Covid-19 has tossed us all into a stormy sea! Since going into lockdown in mid-March, a recurring question has surfaced from students, colleagues, research associates, family and friends as we’ve engaged online to lament, grapple and simply try to get our heads around the scope and complexity of this situation and learn to navigate these turbulent waters: Why is God allowing this pandemic? As we’ve wrestled with this and tried to find our orientation, grounding and direction, a plethora of answers to this important question have been suggested: God is healing the earth by giving our dear, suffering planet a break from pollution; God is urging human beings to get back to a simple more basic and connected life; God is showing us sinful human beings the error of our ways (much as in the days of Noah and the flood). These are some of many explanations we’ve discussed.

While it may be true that the earth is enjoying its respite from traffic jams and copious amounts of air travel, and while we can see that many relationships are being enriched by more time at home and less shopping, and many prayer-lives are benefiting from permission to slow down and take time, I find myself uneasy and dissatisfied with these responses as claims to insight into God’s intentions. These points of view are – surely – lacking if they fall into claims about God’s punishment that have been challenged since the Book of Job. Furthermore, they hold little to no meaning for those who have been forced into more time in abusive households, for the homeless who ask, “How can I isolate safely at home when I have no home?” or for those on the front-lines of the pandemic risking life and limb to combat it; their lives are in no way simpler or less complicated – on the contrary. On the one hand, it seems essential to realize that everything we confront in life, whether joyful or devastating, is an opportunity to learn, grow and respond in faith; on the other hand, this does not mean that everything that confronts us – especially where there is human suffering – is God’s bidding.

I think it’s important to realize that the question, “Why does God allow this pandemic?” falls into the vast and ancient realm of unanswerable questions that belong to theodicy. And, among the things that it teaches us, theodicy reveals that while there are many important lessons to be learned from human suffering, we do not ultimately know why God allows it; it seems to be a mystery we may only hope to uncover when we pass to the other side of the veil. Theologian N.T. Wright points out that when we try to answer Why? In such circumstances, we can only lament and accept that we don’t understand the mystery of darkness and suffering:

“…when we are caught up in awful circumstances…at these points we are to lament…and leave it with God.”1

Yet, Wright points us to what may be a more appropriate and fruitful question for this time of pandemic: “…the best answer I’ve heard in the last few weeks is not to the question ‘Why?’ It’s been to the question, ‘What?’ What can we do?”2 As I’ve tried to walk with others and navigate my own faith journey through these troubled pandemic waters, asking What can we do? is wise and grounding. My sense is that Wright is onto something very important, here, as he encourages us to move away from the question of “Why?” that leaves us suspended in the realm of mystery, searching for the unanswerable, toward the question of “What?” that moves us squarely into a place of discernment of our call and mission as we read the signs of our times and respond with concrete action to the human suffering of this time.

N.T. Wright muses that if Jesus was here in this time of pandemic he would be on the frontlines caring for those in need, feeding the hungry and accompanying the displaced. He also imagines that Jesus — where he does not have the expertise to help — would be dutifully following the health protocols that keep others safe. For my part, I have neither healthcare expertise not the ability to drive a truck with food, medicine and supplies to places they are needed. However, as an educator I can help create spaces for people to question, grapple, explore, learn, grow, and support one another to discover their faith and life responses in this time. As a researcher I can search for emerging wisdom about effective faith accompaniment in this unprecedented time. As a parent and sister I can support my family members in healthcare and those working in public places. As a member of the Christian community I can hold the intentions and pray for the needs of this time and do what I can for the local foodbank and Pope Francis’ mission for those most in need who are suffering with Covid 19. What do you identify that you are called to do as you hold this question?

Moving from “Why does God allow this pandemic?” to the more fruitful and generative question, “What can we do?” invites each of us to discern a faithful, life-giving, concrete, response in the midst of this challenging time when we are searching for meaning and direction in these unchartered waters of a global pandemic.

I intend to continue to look to the wise, such as theologian and bishop, N.T. Wright, for grounding and direction. If you’d like to look to him, as well, he has just published his book, God and the Pandemic (London, England: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2020). It’s an excellent read and a helpful compass for this challenging journey.

By Dr. Carol Kuzmochka

Dr. Carol Kuzmochka is a professor and researcher at Saint Paul University, Ottawa and a long-time friend, colleague and consultant to the Oblates.

1 N.T. Wright, God and the Pandemic (London, England: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2020), 14.
2 Wright, 2.