Gift-shop decor often celebrates God’s care. Psalms 139:13 declares, “You created my innermost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Luke 12:6-7 informs, “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. Even the hairs on your head have all been counted.” Jeremiah 29:11 assures, “‘For surely I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.’”
Unfortunately, God sometimes ends up portrayed as a tool for our own dreams instead of as Lord of All due praise and majesty, glory and honor. Proverbs 19:21 reminds us, “The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.”
God’s goal for each of our lives–our true welfare–isn’t materialism or prestige. God desires unification. In Acts 17:26-27, Luke tells us, “…He made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and He allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for Him and find Him…”
For Catholics, every detail from the most seemingly inconsequential to the worst tragedy comes from God. This concept, called Divine Providence, isn’t easy, but it allows us to love more meaningfully, lifting our eyes from our own desires to see His purpose.
Divine Providence
The Catechism explains, “Creation has its own goodness and proper perfection, but it did not spring forth complete from the hands of the Creator. The universe was created ‘in a state of journeying’…”1 Then it anticipates our response, “But why did God not create a world so perfect that no evil could exist in it? With infinite power, God could always create something better. But with infinite wisdom and goodness God freely willed to create a world ‘in a state of journeying’ toward its ultimate perfection.”2
Divine Providence is God’s attunement and guidance as all of creation and each individual journeys toward perfection. St. Paul writes of this “state of journeying” in Romans 8:18-21, “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it…”
To achieve His desired result, God gifted us free will. “This use is not a sign of weakness,” the Catechism teaches, “but rather a token of almighty God’s greatness and goodness. For God grants his creatures not only their existence, but also the dignity of acting on their own, of being causes and principles for each other, and thus of cooperating in the accomplishment of His plan…”3 In Genesis 1:26, God says, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion…”
Dominion grants us the responsibility to care, create, and nurture as God would. According to St. Francis de Sales, love is more than the mere feeling of being pleased, but the deeper ability to identify and provide for another’s need, pleasing God. 1 John 4:8 tells us, “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.”
But dominion also granted humans the free will to only please self, only sacrifice for self, and only consider the needs of self thereby ignoring God and choosing eternal separation.
The Invitation Within Struggle
Within the crux of free will and creation’s journey lies our invitation. Jesus says in Matthew 18:3, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Divine Providence offers opportunities to throw ourselves into the arms of God with child-like abandonment. Times of evil and distress challenge us to esteem His power and majesty all the more because, as Fr. Jeremias Drexel wrote, “For God is so Good that on no account would He permit evil, unless He knew that from it He could produce greater good.”4
In Philippians 1:6, Paul expresses hope, “being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Paul urges them in Philippians 2:12-15, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
We can trust in God’s promise of completed work even in the face of global cataclysm. 2 Peter 3:9-10 states, “The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.”
Trust is the only gift we could possibly give God not already in His possession. St. Alphonsus Ligouri wrote, “He who gives his goods in alms, his blood in scourgings, his food in fasting, gives God what He has. But he who gives God his will, gives himself, gives everything he is.”5 He also urges, “Let us not only strive to conform ourselves, but also to unite ourselves to whatever dispositions God makes of us…Uniformity means more—it means that we make one will of God’s will and ours…This is the summit of perfection and to it we should always aspire; this should be the goal of all our works, desires, meditations and prayers.”6
God’s Glory
In 2 Timothy 1:8-9, St. Paul states, “…join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to His own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began…”
Grace enables and transforms. We were saved for something, not just from something. Romans 8:22-25 reveals, “As we know, the entire creation has been groaning in labor pains until now—and not only creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for our adoption as children, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved…we wait for it patiently.”
Rev. Edouard de Lehen wrote, “Ah! God tries us only that we may attain perfection…What God sends us is always proportioned to our strengths and abilities. It is suited to our needs as the glove to the hand that wears it…”7 To this end, Isaiah 45:7 comes at us with a seemingly harsh truth, “I form the light and create the darkness; prosperity and disaster depend upon my will; I, the Lord, do all these things.” In the passage about the sparrows, Luke 12:7-8 goes on to say, “Do not be afraid. You are worth far more than any number of sparrows. I tell you this: whoever acknowledges Me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.” Jesus said this to men who were eventually martyred–some eaten by lions, some crucified, some burned to death. They trusted the promise of heavenly glory.
The theological virtue of hope is not a materialistic positivity, but assurance God will create in us a masterpiece only fully revealed in Heaven. Our story–His masterpiece–is how we trusted. In Job 23:10, Job states, “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come out like gold.” In Romans 8:28-29, St. Paul reassures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son…” Rev. de Lehen points out, “God intends to fashion us to His own image; therefore we must passively submit to His skillful hand. Every stroke is a master-touch toward our sanctification…Yes, our sanctification is the only end God has in view in all that He sends us.”8
The Language of Trust
Though understanding Divine Providence tempts us to vainly take on more challenges than God Himself sends, we must resist. Fr. Jean-Pierre de Caussade wrote, “Perfection consists in submitting unreservedly to the designs of God, and in fulfilling the duties of one’s state in the most perfect manner possible. To compare the different states as they are in themselves can do nothing to improve us, since it is neither in the amount of work, nor in the sort of duties given to us that perfection is to be found.”9
Instead, we should focus on our response to the story God is crafting.
Resist Complaining
In a relationship of intimate unity, prayer should not tell God how to do His job. Isaiah 45:9 warns against this dialogue, “Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker…Does the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you making?’ Does your work say, ‘The potter has no hands’?” Romans 9:20-21 also warns, “But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, ‘Why have you made me like this?’ Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?”
Determine to confess habits of complaining. Philippians 2:14-15 chides, “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” Jude 1:16-18 warns, “[The ungodly] are grumblers and fault-finders. They indulge their own passions, and their mouths are full of bombastic talk as they flatter others in order to achieve their own ends…‘In the final age there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly passions.’” At the heart of complaining is the desire to please ourselves.
Express Gratitude
Our prayer language should cultivate gratitude, recognizing God’s workmanship even in what feels out of control. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 states, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” This blunt statement seems to ignore the kaleidoscope of experiences we face, but this is exactly how far-reaching our gratitude should be. Colossians 3:15-16 instructs, “…let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful…with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.”
Acknowledge God’s Hand
Holy Scripture gives powerful examples of what to say in adversity. In Genesis, Joseph the Patriarch finds himself in authority over the very brothers who abused him. In Genesis 50:20, he tells them, “Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good…” In the first chapter of Job, Job loses everything: property, flocks and livelihood, trusted staff, even his beloved children. Instead of raging with blame, in Job 1:21 he expresses surrender, “…the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Our Blessed Mother, filled with grace, teaches us the language of complete surrender in Luke 1:38, “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.” Jesus Himself models this abandonment in the Garden of Gethsemane. As His Passion approaches, He prays in Matthew 26:39, “‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.’”
Saints also provide examples. St. Alphonsus Ligouri records, “Epictetus and Atho, being put to the torture by having their bodies raked with iron hooks and burnt with flaming torches, kept repeating: ‘Work thy will upon us, O Lord.’”10 They had mastered the language of surrender.
Wait on the Lord
Once we have established the language of trust, our interior posture should reflect expectation. Holy Scripture refers to this expectation as “waiting on the Lord.” As a way of life this pleases God, increases our capacity to love, and opens our hearts to deeper faith and hope. God often waits to resolve struggle, allowing tension to grow as we suffer much longer than we would like. If our sufferings were immediately alleviated, we’d lose our chance to gain the greatest crowns, be spun into the brightest gold, and be pressed into the most brilliant jewels.
The Catechism calls the Psalms “the great school of trust.”11 Psalms 27:10-14 teaches trust in His guidance. “If my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will take me up. Teach me your way, O Lord…Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” Psalm 31:9-15 teaches trust through our deepest grief, “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye wastes away from grief, my soul and body also… But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hand…”
In the New Testament, Luke 12:35-36 also speaks of this posture of expectation, “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit; be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for Him as soon as He comes and knocks.” St. Mother Teresa modeled this interior surrender. In 1959, when she spoke at a retreat, she said, “I have loved Him blindly, totally, only. I use every power in me–in spite of my feelings to make Him loved personally by the Sisters & people. I will let Him have a free hand with and in me.”12 She had stopped longing for physical and mental consolations and worked solely for the expected Kingdom and arrival of her King.
Joyful Abandonment to Divine Providence
It’s tempting to view ancient history through pastoral paintings–serenely simpler. We have nuclear bombs and bio-warfare. Violence fills our news feed. We forget the disciples lived under Roman occupation. They battled paganism–entrenched demonic principalities. Slavery and child sacrifice were commonplace. Evil was just as prevalent and savage as in our own time.
Despite this, after the resurrection, Christ twice tells His disciples, “Peace be with you.”13 This peace took root. The disciples and subsequent generations of the Church joyfully abandoned themselves to Divine Providence. St. Alphonsus Ligouri wrote of how the Saints who scaled this height of holiness became noticeably transformed: “His calmness of soul is founded on his union with the will of God; hence he enjoys unruffled peace. This is the peace promised by the angel of the Nativity: ‘And on earth, peace to men of good will.’ Who are these ‘men of good will’ if not those whose wills are united to the infinitely good and perfect will of God?”14
This same peace can be ours in higher levels of surrender. St. Teresa of Avila wrote, “…when it is His Majesty’s will and He is pleased to grant us some supernatural favor, its coming is accompanied by the greatest peace and quietness and sweetness within ourselves…”15
Looking at the events of our life as sent by God, we become pliable to our Creator. Fr. de Caussade wrote, “Our moments are made fruitful by our fulfillment of the will of God…”16 We experience life’s daily grind with gratitude, prioritize the good of others, and react to new challenges with a steadfast spirit. Rev. de Lehen writes, “…in seasons of universal dereliction or tribulation we have no more to fear than at any other time, for God can just as well save us from harm in the midst of these trials as He can plunge us into want and misery when we deem ourselves secure in peace and happiness.”17
This awareness allowed countless saints to work miracles with unruffled ease through disaster, war, famine and disease. They lived in alignment with 2 Peter 3:11-14, “Since everything is to be destroyed in this way, consider what sort of people you ought to be, living holy and saintly lives. Wait for and speed the coming of the Day of God, on which the heavens will be set ablaze and all the elements will melt…eagerly await the promised new heavens and a new earth…”
Conclusion
Servant of God Fr. John Hardon teaches, “To hear someone is not the same as to listen to that person. Hearing can be involuntary. Listening is very, very voluntary. That is faith. When we want to hear what God tells us about Himself…”18 When we accept Divine Providence, we pay attention to God’s revelation of Himself in our individual path to sainthood.
In Romans 8:35-39, St. Paul tells us, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Reducing the word love to a mere reactionary feeling causes us to misunderstand this verse. When we replace the definition of self-pleasing love with the definition of self-giving love, this verse means so much more. Who can separate us from the process of learning to trust and please God, of learning to give ourselves to Him? We aren’t running from these dangers, we run toward them. We embrace them as the very vehicle that fuses our heart to God’s.
- Libreria Editrice Vaticana, and Usccb. Catechism of the Catholic Church, English Updated Edition. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, 2020. P 80 ↩︎
- Libreria Editrice Vaticana, and Usccb. Catechism of the Catholic Church, English Updated Edition. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, 2020. P 80 ↩︎
- Ibid. P 80 ↩︎
- Drexel, Jeremias. The Heliotropium (“Turning to Him”). Edited by Ferdinand E. Bogner, New York, Devin-Adair Co., 1912. P 23 ↩︎
- Ligouri, Alphonsus. Uniformity With God’s Will. Translated by Thomas W. Tobin, 1755. P 4 ↩︎
- Ibid. P 5 ↩︎
- de Lehen, Rev., Edouard. The Way of Interior Peace. Translated by James Brucker, New Cincinnati, Benziger Brothers, 1889. P 26 ↩︎
- Ibid. P 27 ↩︎
- de Caussade, Jean Pierre. Abandonment to Divine Providence. Edited by J. Ramière, S. J, translated by E.J. Strictland, From the Tenth Complete French Edition ed., St. Louis, MO, B. HERDER BOOK COMPANY, https://www.acatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Abandonmento-Divine-Providence.pdf. Accessed 10 2024. P 13 ↩︎
- Ligouri, Alphonsus. Uniformity With God’s Will. Translated by Thomas W. Tobin, 1755. P 6 ↩︎
- Libreria Editrice Vaticana, and Usccb. Catechism of the Catholic Church, English Updated Edition. United States Catholic Conference of Bishops, 2020. P 80 ↩︎
- Teresa, Mother. Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light: The Private Writings of the Saint of Calcutta. Edited by Brian Kolodiejchuk, Random House Publishing Group, 2009. P 195 ↩︎
- John 20:19-31 ↩︎
- Ligouri, Alphonsus. Uniformity With God’s Will. Translated by Thomas W. Tobin, 1755. P 9 ↩︎
- Avila, Teresa Of. Interior Castle: Teresa’s Masterpiece of Mystical Literature in Its Most Celebrated English Translation. Edited by E. Allison Peers, translated by E. Allison Peers, Random House Publishing Group, 1989. P 64 ↩︎
- de Caussade, Jean Pierre. Abandonment to Divine Providence. Edited by J. Ramière, S. J, translated by E.J. Strictland, From the Tenth Complete French Edition ed., St. Louis, MO, B. HERDER BOOK COMPANY, https://www.acatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Abandonmento-Divine-Providence.pdf. Accessed 10 2024. P ↩︎
- de Lehen, Rev., Edouard. The Way of Interior Peace. Translated by James Brucker, New Cincinnati, Benziger Brothers, 1889. P 39 ↩︎
- https://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Faith/Faith_003.htm ↩︎
