A few days ago, I went to visit a homebound person who asked for Holy Communion and the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. I had a very interesting conversation with her. She told me: Father, I am not sure if God would ever forgive me, but I am so angry at Him and when I pray, I tell Him that. I say things like -- if you love me, God, why do you make me sick? Not only that, but she also said: I am angry that He allows so much hatred, wars, and hunger in our world. I argue with God a lot, so I am not sure if that’s OK and if He will forgive me my anger. I was thinking for a moment and simply said to her: you know, God does not care that you express your anger. He loves you too much, and He does not act like we people do. He is probably laughing at you right now, I said. Just like with that Canaanite woman from the gospel reading today -- she argued with Jesus, she tried to be clever with her response to Him, and she ultimately got what she wanted. It is OK to argue with God, to express our disappointments, to be persistent. He will not repay us with His anger, but with His love and compassion.
