When John Kennedy made that statement, many considered him a prime example of how unfair life is. Born with the proverbial silver spoon in his mouth, he was the youngest person elected to the presidency. However, few realized he suffered from Addison’s disease and no one knew he would be assassinated twenty months later. Life is unfair.

That unfairness seems to extend even to salvation. Today’s biblical lessons describe how God called Abraham and through him formed a chosen people. They had advantages not given to other nations. And from them God singles out a maiden of whom the Messiah is born. Though his mission is to all, only some would have the opportunity to know him. What are we to make of such inequality?

Today’s Gospel gives a response, but first we must consider a prior question: Why does inequity disturb us? The natural world, of which we are a part, gives no encouragement to hope for fair play. Just the opposite - nature is marked by terrible unfairness. The strong prosper; the weak are eliminated. When a predatory animal such as a lion attacks a herd, he does not go after the strongest; but the weakest, slowest, often youngest animal. We do not accuse the lion – or any mere animal – of injustice. Nevertheless, we judge our fellow men by different criteria. A human predator - especially the one who preys on the defenseless - is scorned by all, including the most cynical. Where does our standard of fair play come from?

Even little children complain when they perceive unequal treatment. We want life to be fair, but it is not - and often in bafflingly horrible ways. The unfairness of life causes sensitive people to doubt God. That is a normal reaction. Yet the very questioning contains a powerful evidence for his existence. The standard of equity does not come from the natural world - other animals exhibit no interest in fair play. Why do we feel that standard so strongly?

The question seems to involve a circle with no exit. If a just God exists, why is life so terribly unfair? But then how do we recognize injustice, unless we admit that our standard of fairness comes from somewhere else than the natural world?*

Only Jesus breaks through the dilemma. He does so not by proposing a human philosophy, but rather by what we refer to as the Pascal Mystery – the Cross. However, knowing we are relentless questioners, he does give some insights. We see one in today’s Gospel.

Peter appreciated his privilege: to know Jesus personally, to hear his teaching, to experience the miracles, to be entrusted with a mission. Still, the apostle asked about those who had not received such favors. "Lord, is this parable meant for us or for everyone?" (Lk 12:41) Jesus gives this response:

Hearing those words, Peter may have had a second thought. Is it better, then, to be blissfully ignorant? We have no scale to weigh such matters.** Like Peter, much has been entrusted us. God has given us the prime gift: faith. Referring to Abraham, our second reading offers this definition:

Faith is a singular gift. But it involves a corresponding duty. That some apparently have not received the grace does not make us less responsible. Entrusted with so much, more will be demanded.

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