St. Anthony the Abbot Catholic Church

Sometimes it's hard for us to trust in God because we can't see where He is leading us. But Christ's sufferings are our insurance policy: wherever He leads us, He will never abandon us. Cardinal John Henry Newman wrote a powerful prayer that captures this childlike confidence in God:

 

"Lord, you have created me to do you some definite service; you have committed some work to me which you have not committed to another. I have my mission. I never may know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. Somehow, I am necessary for your purposes, as necessary in my place as an Archangel in his. If, indeed, I fail, you can raise another, as you could make the stones children of Abraham. Yet I have a part in this great work. I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. You have not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do your work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it, if I do but your commandments and serve you in my calling. Therefore, I will trust you. Whatever, wherever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve you; in perplexity, my perplexity may serve you; if I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve you. My sickness, or perplexity, or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end, which is quite beyond me. You do nothing in vain; you may prolong my life, you may shorten it; you know what you are about. You may take away my friends, you may throw me among strangers, you may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink; hide the future from me---still you know what you are about.

         Cardinal John Henry Newman

 

Our Lord suffered on the cross in order to show us that there is no limit to His love, that He is trustworthy, that if we follow Him faithfully, He will not let us down. If we keep that truth in mind, it will be a shield in the face of temptations, a comfort in times of sorrow, a refuge in moments of difficulty, and an inspiration in the midst of darkness. That is exactly why the devil does everything he can to make sure we almost never think about it. The Holy Spirit, knowing the devil would try to distract us like that, has given us a powerful reminder: the Blessed Virgin Mary, she who trusted God fully, and was not disappointed.

 

When we turn our minds to her, the closeness of God's goodness, the gentleness of His presence, and the purity of His love flood our minds. This is why Catholic churches have so many artistic images of the Blessed Virgin Mary. As Pope Benedict XVI said during a homily at Lourdes, France, Mary's smile is "a true reflection of God's tenderness... the source of an invincible hope."

 

The month of October is traditionally dedicated to the Rosary, the ancient, simple, but powerful prayer that keeps us close to Mary and her smile. The Rosary has been the favorite prayer of popes and peasants; it's for all of us. There is no better time than now to take up this prayer, to learn it, and to let Mary's presence bolster our trust in God. This coming week, let us share this good news with someone who needs to hear it.