"I began to experience once more that feeling of timelessness-and, what was worse, of purposelessness-as the days went on and on, always with the same routine. and yet, I never lost sight of God's Providence. I knew that nothing was too small or insignificant in life when looked on from the standpoint of His will...religion, prayer, and love of God do not change reality, but they give it a new meaning...I grew firmer in my conviction that whatever happened in my life was nothing else than a reflection of God's will for me. and He would protect me."
These are words written and lived by Walter Ciszek S.J. (Jesuit priest) who was held in Russian prison during WWII.
In Acts 20:17-27 we her the words of St. Paul
"YOU know how I lived among you the whole time from the day I first came to the province of Asia. I served the lord with all humility and with the tears and trials that came to me because of the plots of the Jews, and I did not at all shrink from telling you what was for your benefit, or from teaching you in public or in your homes...Now compelled by the SPirit, I am going to Jerusalem. What will happen to me there I do not know, except that in one city after another the Holy Spirit has been warning me that imprisonment and hardships await me. Yet, I consider life of no importance to me, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord, to bear witness to the Gospel of God's grace."
When we reflect on God's providence, we can not limit how or when or in what way God will act. All things become useful to him. Even imprisonment can be a vehicle by which is glory is made known.
How often we close our heart to the grandeur of God becomes we experience hardship or trial or something doesn't go our way, when we should stop and think, Even this God can use and ma i never stand in his way.
The words of Jesus in today's gospel passage brings this together.
"Father, the hour has come. Give glory to your son, so that you son may glorify you, just as you gave him authority over all people, so that your son may give eternal life to all you gave him."
How does that glory come? How does Providence bring about the glory sought? We must not forget the Paschal mystery: life, death and resurrection. Suffering and trials and tears can and often is Providence of God.
Just something to ponder.
The above image: Our Lady of Divine Providence
Think well. Speak well. Do well. These three things, through the mercy of God, will make a man go to Heaven. — St. Camillus de Lellis
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