Divine Providence

Acts 5:27-33; Psalm 34 The Lord hears the cry of the Poor; John 3:31-36

"When the court officers brought the Apostles in and made them stand before the Sanhedrin, the high priest questioned them. "We gave you strict orders did we not, to stop teaching in that name.  Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and want to bring this man's blood upon us. But Peter and the Apostles  said in reply, "We must obey God rather than men."(Acts 5:27ff)

In a Synod of Bishops in 1985, November 28, an appeal was made to Pope John Paul II for the Catechism.  Cardinal Tomasek made a speech and at the end of the speech he said these words:

"We must work for the kingdom of God-that is a great thing.  We must pray for the Kingdom of God-that is more important still.  We must suffer for the Kingdom with the crucified Christ-that is everything." 

This is what the Catechism states in regards to Divine Providence and our actions:

"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" (ccc 306)

St. Thomas teaches that "God grants his creatures not only to exist but also to act, each in its own way.  It is precisely here that we see the incomparable majesty of the creative activity of God."

Peter and the Apostles were fulfilling God's plan.  They were allowing Divine Providence to unfold through them by their deeds and actions.  They were getting the message out.  They were willing to work for the kingdom, pray for the Kingdom, suffer with the Crucified Christ for the Kingdom.  Thus, Divine providence was at work in them. 

May it be at work in us.  May we seek to obey God rather than men and refuse to be quiet and make the message known.  

Above is a picture of the chains of St. Peter that he wore after being arrested for preaching the message Jesus.  They can be found in San Pietro in Vincoli in Rome.  It is a lasting reminder of Divine Providence at work through man.  God's plan refuses to surrender.