9781644135945

The Time After Pentecost
first the kingdom of God” (Gospel). Having received in Holy Communion the fullness of the
Spirit and of the life of God, we can also be sure that “all these things shall be added unto [us].”
Meditation
“Be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. . . .
Your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things” (Gospel). Divine providence feeds
the birds of the skies and clothes the lilies of the field. Do we not have even more reason for
believing that it will feed and clothe man, the child of God?
“Thy providence, O Father, governeth [the universe]” (Ws 14:3). Absolutely nothing that happens
either in the universe or in the life of men is not directly willed by God or at least permitted
by Him. Whatever is sinful God cannot, of course, will or approve; He can only permit it to
occur; but He wills, orders, and governs all other things. His providence works with a divine,
all-embracing wisdom, with a boundless power, with a goodness and love that is always intent
on doing the best for each individual as well as for mankind and His creation in general. “Are
not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? . . . You are
of more value than many sparrows” (Lk 12:6 f.). The way God takes care of us is comparable to
the way a hen takes care of her young ones, or a tireless mother looks after her child. “You shall
be carried at the breasts, and upon the knees they shall caress you. As one whom the mother
caresseth, so will I comfort you” (Is 66:12 f.). “Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have
pity on the son of her womb? And if she should forget, yet will not I forget thee” (Is 49:15).
Besides the general providence of God, there is a particular providence, too, which extends
to all those who sincerely seek God, who love Him and live for Him, who truly are His children.
The Father in heaven guards them with an attentive and watchful eye, proving Himself particularly
good and benevolent towards them. He works continually within them, being especially
intent on sanctifying their souls day and night. Whatever happens to them in this world, must
serve for their good. God, in His wisdom, power, and goodness, has ordered and joined everything
in such a way that it leads to their greater sanctification. He makes no exception in
this regard, but seeks to lead those whom He loves to continuous interior growth and to perfect
union with Him, their true goal and happiness. How astonished and full of gratitude and
admiration we shall some day be, when we finally come to understand in the light of eternity
how divinely wise, powerful, and good has been God’s work within our souls here on earth,
how He ordered and governed our lives for our own best interest. “Thy providence, O Father,
governeth [the universe].”
“O ye of little faith!” (Gospel.) In the past we have experienced many evident proofs of
God’s loving care, both for our spiritual life and our material well-being. If we examine our lives
even superficially, we shall realize how much mercy He has shown us, how He has protected us
from many dangers of body and soul, and how He was our strength in countless temptations. If
we have eyes to see, we ought to be aware of how much patience He has had with us, how many
enlightenments and inspirations for doing good He planted in our souls, how many wonderful
gifts of spirit, of heart, and of body He has bestowed upon us. But how often we rejected His
guidance! Yet He took our hand and did not refuse His love and grace, even after we had stubbornly
broken away from Him. Do we not have reason enough to put all our confidence in Him?
Yet it is precisely this confidence that is particularly wanting in us; we have too little confidence.
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