What about killing infants in 1 Samuel 15:3 and Catechism?

[Nathan_s_King]

I’m stumped on this one and was wondering if you could help.

1 Samuel 15:3 says God ordered the killing of infants (among others). I understand that God is the Lord of life and can take care of these children after their deaths, but this seems to contradict the Catechism # 2261, which says “The deliberate murder of an innocent person is gravely contrary to the dignity of the human being, to the golden rule, and to the holiness of the Creator. The law forbidding it is universally valid: it obliges each and everyone, always and everywhere.”

If the murder of innocents is always and everywhere wrong, how could God order it?

Thanks

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

The killing of infants is morally wrong for US to do. But God is not held by the rules He has for us. God doesn’t murder us when He calls us home. He can call us any way He chooses. He is God and not just a bigger version of us. He is all good and all knowing. We are small potatoes. Remember what He Himself was willing to endure for our benefit. He gives the only real meaning to the word “awesome.”

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.