I need to trust in God to give comfort and to trust in Him to find a solution.
The other day I heard some very sad news about someone for whom I care about very much.
It was not entirely unexpected news, but nonetheless, it was the dreadful sort that leaves a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach where you just feel so deflated to hear this news that you feel a physical reaction to the loss of hope that you hold in your life.
And it was a very sad day and very sad news to hear.
And yet, when I heard this news, there was a part of me that remained hopeful. Even in the sadness – even in the possible despair – somehow I could hold onto the hope that no efforts will be wasted. I could hold onto the hope that “When you look back on your life, which seems to have been marked by no great efforts or achievements, think how much time you have wasted, and how you can recover it with penance and greater self-giving.” (Saint Josemaria, Furrow, at 996).
And when I reflect on the suffering of that dear one, I consider the words of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, “How short indeed is the time of our passing through this world!” (1 Corinthians 7:29).
There is now – in this brief moment – a piece of history entrusted to my care. Now, in this moment, there is a piece of history given to me to do with as I will. And in this moment in history – in this microsecond of the universe for which I am alive on this Earth, I have the choice to decide how it is going to be… I can choose to make this moment a moment of surrender to the Glory of God. Or I can make this moment a moment of despair and despair. I can feel all the unyielding terror of complete reliance on my own prowess…
And as I was thinking about all the different possibilities and all the ways that I could react to that horror. As I was thinking about how to respond and what to do. As I was reflecting on what action I was required to perform to somehow fix this, it occurred to me that Christ rose on this day. It occurred to me that on this day, the King od Heaven rose from His tomb.
He conquered sin and fear and death.
And He does not need me to do anything at all. What He needs from me is to trust in Him. To look at this very sad situation in front of my eyes and trust in Him to take care of it. To trust in Him to give comfort. To trust in Him to find a solution.
And all I need to do is to remain pliant in His Hands. I need to listen attentively and wait – nice and loose – for my King to speak.
So that is what I am doing today…
Waiting nice and loose…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.