Where is God in the Midst of Tragedy? : Making Sense of the California Wildfires (Morning Air)

John Morales brought on Fr. Marcel Taillon to help us process the gut-wrenching wildfires tearing through Southern California. Whole neighborhoods, schools, and even Catholic churches have been reduced to ashes. It’s the kind of devastation that makes you stop and ask: "God... where are You in all this?" 😔   Fr. Taillon didn't sugarcoat it: what’s happening is heartbreaking. People are losing everything. But as Catholics, we’re not called to throw our hands up. We’re called to feel, pray, and act.   💔 So... What Do We Do When It Feels Like the World’s Burning?   Fr. Taillon nailed it: 👉 Start with Compassion. Let yourself feel for those suffering. It’s okay to be heartbroken. Their pain is real, and so is yours. 👉 Move to Action. Pray. Hard. Call on the saints: St. Junípero Serra, St. Florian (patron of firefighters), and Our Lady of Champion who interceded during the 1800s Peshtigo fire. Ask God to send help. 🙏 👉 Give What You Can. Catholic Charities, the Archdiocese of L.A.: they’ll need both prayers and practical help. Whether it’s donations or volunteering, we’re in this together.   “Why Would a Good God Allow This?”   Yeah... the big question. And Fr. Taillon gets it. He reminded us that:   God doesn’t will suffering. Wildfires, floods, earthquakes: natural disasters happen because of how the world works. But God never delights in suffering.   God is STILL good. Even when everything feels upside down, His love never stops. Period.   Look for the Helpers. Firefighters risking their lives. Strangers opening their homes. Families choosing hope over despair. That’s God’s grace showing up.   Faith Can Be Shaken—or Strengthened.   Father adds that some people will lose faith seeing this tragedy unfold. Others? They’ll find it for the first time. Both need our prayers. Faith isn’t about easy answers: it’s about trusting the Cross when life feels like it’s burning down around you.   ✅ What Can You Do Right Now?   Pray Like You Mean It. Ask God to stop the flames and bring peace.   Love Your Neighbor. Whether in California or your own town: someone needs you.   Trust the Goodness of God. He never abandons us.   Final Word from Fr. Taillon: “God allows suffering but never wills it. His nature is to love and redeem.” ❤️   Let’s keep being the Church that prays, acts, and loves. 🙏     The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free, and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.