A Listening Presence

THE JOY OF PROVIDENCE

Ceaselessly does our Holy Father Pope Francis call upon us to be joyful in all life’s circumstances, and recently ‘On Love in the Family’ which he calls “The Joy of Love” – title of his Apostolic Exhortation Amoris Laetitia, written two years after the Synod on the Family. In the document, the pope encourages all to learn to be joyful, to simply enjoy each moment, because everything is part of God’s loving care for us. God’s loving care for us, His creation, is called Divine Providence. Yes and truly God provides a solution for those needs of ours which are real, not just capricious. But He does expect us to believe and trust in Him.  So let’s not forget that essential element of our belief and trust in Him.

In fact that is even expressed in the gospels, as follows: “I tell you solemnly if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Get up and throw yourself into the sea,’ with no hesitation in his heart but believing that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. I tell you therefore everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already, and it will be yours. And when you stand in prayer, forgive whatever you have against anybody, so that your Father in heaven may forgive your failings too” (Mk. 11:22-25).

No matter our age and station in life, we shall face the challenge to keep growing in the prayerful trust and compassion shown us by Jesus, whose heart is the greatest sign of Divine Love. Let joy continue emanate from our hearts as we listen to His assuring words in moments of darkness and human weakness: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Mt. 11:28-29).