What if God were to intervene every time a human being chose evil? Can we imagine such a world? There would be no more suffering, sure, but there would be no freedom either. That is worse than a totalitarian regime; even with surveillance cameras and smartphone trackers, we still retain some private space, if only within our own minds. But what if the dictator is God? He is omnipotent and omniscient; He needs no cameras. Is that really an enviable world? It would be worse than a mere lack of freedom: we would desire to act on our own, yet the axe would fall every single time. Where would the line be drawn: only at serious wrongdoing? Even so, we would know we were constantly being watched. Such a God would rule through fear.

God chose another path; a better one, I think. Rather than imposing Himself upon us or crushing us with His omnipotence (even an omnipotence limited by logic), He chose total weakness. He chose to suffer with us. That is the meaning of the Incarnation and the Cross: He did not die so much for us as with us. He does not impose Himself; He offers an invitation. He does not wish to reign through fear, but through love.

God gave us a law of love so that suffering might cease. He gave us a moral sense. He gave us a reason to fight against disease and natural disasters. He gave us the keys to break the cycle of violence. He gave us everything we need, so let’s stop hiding behind Him like spoiled children! And in the meantime, he accompanies those who are suffering and welcomes those who are departing.