A few days ago I happened to read the “daily decalogue” of Pope St. John XXIII. I found it extremely fitting, consoling, and encouraging in these days of pandemic. It contains the sound advice of a compassionate, peaceful father for a time of worry.
The ninth “commandment” in particular stood out:
Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
God truly cares and provides for us. He cares and provides even when he seems not to. He cares and provides for the whole cosmos, for the whole human family, for the whole Church. But also, he cares and provides for you and for me.
And this provident One is not some remote spiritual force. He is our heavenly Father.
Firm faith in the good, provident Lord, our Father, must be our daily bread. As the “Good Pope” reminds us, we must believe today and put our trust in God’s care today. Otherwise, if we stretch our concern out into the unknown future, we may be easily overwhelmed. If we try to consider what faith will ask of us long-term we may decide that it’s too much. We can’t be reminded too often of Jesus’ words to his anxious disciples:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? … For the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day’s own trouble be sufficient for the day.” (Matt 6:25, 32-34)
Our Father in heaven knows well that today’s troubles are more than enough for us. But he also knows what we need and will give it to us in good time. We need only trust in him if only for today.
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Photo by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P. (used with permission)
