“Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?” (Luke 13:4)

“Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem?” (Luke 13:4)

In today’s gospel lesson, the people seek Christ’s opinion on two topical events, catastrophes that were well known throughout that region. The first concerned a group of devout Jews who were tortured and killed by Pontius Pilot, because they refused to pay homage to Caesar. The second involved a freak accident in which a tower had toppled over and crushed eighteen men to death.

The Jews wanted to know if these two terrible events were some sort of punishment from God. Our Lord, however, immediately dispels this myth. He confirms that the victims were indeed sinful but admits that they were no more or less sinful than anyone else. Therefore, what occurred was simply a tragic accident, and nothing more.

We must remember that God’s very nature is love, which is not only incongruous, but incompatible with retribution; for any desire to “get even” at someone who has wronged you is a blatant trait of our fallen humanity. So, the next time something bad happens, do not automatically assume it to be a divine cause. In a sinful, fallen world, bad things just happen – even to good people.

Fr. John