All Things Come Together For The Good

Sr Angela Marie talks about God's Providence, Eileen Grant Obl. OSB writes about becoming an Oblate and we reflect on the love of God. Our lesser-spotted Saint is St Comgan! Welcome

We may have heard a thousand times that God loves us personally and that his providence touches every moment and circumstance of our life. We may have read that God would never allow evil in the world if he were not able to draw from it a greater good. These are beautiful truths of our faith, but what do they mean for our real-life situations? These truths may make sense in abstract theological explications, but do we believe them in the concrete experiences of everyday life?

In my experience, well, a pandemic is not an everyday occurrence, but this pandemic has brought the issue of God’s providence and individual love into sharp focus for my “everyday” life. God’s providence touches the details of our life, and even circumstances beyond anyone’s control are in God’s hands. I knew this when, with a sinking heart, I followed news reports about closed borders, travel restrictions, and quarantine guidelines. I knew that if I was unable to see my family or sisters this year it was somehow in God’s plan to work out this way. When some European borders opened up and sisters from three of our other mission houses spoke of uniting for two weeks at our convent in Bracciano, Italy, I prayed that my UK visa would finally come through so we could join them. Can you sense my internal struggle? I resisted the temptation to stomp my foot like a three-year-old and say, “It’s not fair,” but that’s what I was thinking. How could God, who is infinitely just, stand by watching this scenario? How could my Father, who is always longing to “pour good gifts on his children,” not want to open up this travel opportunity which would lead to such holy fellowship and personal rejuvenation?

Then I remembered Jesus’ parable of the labourers in the vineyard. A landowner hires labourers at different hours of the day but in the end pays them all the same wage. When the first arrivals object, the landowner replies, “Friends, I did you no wrong. . . . Are you envious because I am generous?” (Mt. 20:13,15). Yes, God is just, but not in the way we expect. Perhaps I’m not the only Christian with an assertive inner-three-year-old that cries, “It’s not fair!” But is God’s fairness ours? Isaiah wrote, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor your ways my ways, says the Lord. As far as the heavens are exalted above the earth, so are my ways exalted above your ways, and my thoughts above your thoughts” (Is. 55:8-9). Our fairness is to mete out blessings and trials in an equal dose to all. God’s is to gaze lovingly at each heart and give it precisely what it needs.

In the parable the landowner was not unjust to his workers. But to some he gave with a liberal hand. What did he see in these latecomers? Was he forming them in some way? Perhaps they were lazy drunkards who were cast off by society. Why were they so late to the market? Surely the good landowner would have hired them early in the morning if they had presented themselves for gainful employment then. Were they the dregs of society whom everyone looked down upon? The first arrivals’ complaint: “You have made them equal to us.” This is God’s equality—elevating each person’s dignity, viewing them as equals. Maybe the latecomers had forgotten their own dignity. Maybe this generosity rehabilitated and reformed them. God does not mete out blessings and trials equally to all, but he knows precisely what circumstances will form each soul in the lessons that soul individually needs.

God knew exactly what circumstance could form me best this summer. It was agonizing to be separated from the sisters who were able to come together in Italy, but through this situation God was loving each sister individually. In his infinite mercy and justice, he let some unite with other missions, and this surely gave them blessings and travel sacrifices, conversations and experiences that met just what their souls needed. These experiences played a part in their personal journey of formation, the soul’s pilgrimage that only God can direct. And for those of us who stayed at home, God sent blessings and sacrifices that formed us in an “individualised educational programme” that only God can write. Among many other lessons, I can say the stretching from living in God’s providence, trusting that his plan was truly good for me, grounded me in the primacy of his love as no other summer opportunity could. Although I could not recognize God’s plan for me as the most generous one at first, he was treating me with the landowner’s liberal hand as well. I had some amazing conversations with one of the sisters here in Scotland that I never would have had if we were surrounded by other sisters in Nashville or Bracciano. And our yearly retreat, usually taken in Nashville, had an exquisite touch of natural beauty and divine presence as I explored different viewpoints onto the Moray Firth.

 So although God’s ways are not our ways and sometimes do not, at surface-level, look fair, the circumstances he permits are actually the very best that could ever happen to us. In faith we can receive everything he sends as a gift. And we trust that he works every gift and tribulation to our good. We have only to open our hearts, receive his blessings, and know that the formation it produces is a gift of God’s individual love for us.

Sr Angela Marie is is a Dominican Sister of St Cecilia resident at Greyfriars Convent in Elgin. 

An Oblate of Pluscarden Abbey: Eileen Grant Obl. OSB on becoming an Oblate to Pluscarden Abbey.

Trust in God’s Plan: A recording of Blessed Fulton Sheen on trusting in the plan of God, even if it doesn’t look like things are going well!

Gods Love Poured Out: Reflect on the love of God for you! From a brillant new video resource called Wildgoose TV. If you are going through a tricky time or just having a bad day - put this on and let it wash away.

10 Tips from St Teresa Avila on Prayer: Another witty and insightful podcast from the HolyJoes in Northern Ireland.

And Finally….. As it is the month of the Rosary, and those who know the Rosary know that it leads us to Christ - I thought this might be a fitting song.

Our Lesser-Spotted Saint

St Comgan or Congan, 8th Century. Feast Day 13th October

St Comgan was of noble Irish descent, Brother of St Kentigerna and Uncle to St Fillan. He was a Prince of Leinster and ruled the province for a time. He ruled Leinster as a Christian Prince should but the neighbouring Chiefs were not so Christian and in the face of bloody conflict had to flee Ireland, taking with him St Kentigerna and St Fillan. They initally settled in Lochalsh were he was able to speak with the locals and became a ‘douloi Christi’ - servant of Christ. This Royal Prince lived out his days in great austerity and when he died was taken to Iona by St Fillan. Many Churches bear his dedication including in Lochalsh itself which was built by St Fillan. There is also a story that St Comgan moved to Turrif and built a Church and missionary activity there. Other places of dedication include in Ross and Cromarty (kilchowan in Kiltearn), St Coan in Strath, Skye, and Kilchoan in Knoydart. In Turrif a fair was held in his name there, Cowan Fair. A hospital, St Congan, was founded in Turiff by the Earl of Buchan in 1272 and was further endowed by King Robert the Bruce.

May St Comgan pray for those tasked with governing our country to do so in a Christian way and let his example of putting off his own royalty and position (just as Christ did) be an example to all of us to seek the poverty that begets eternal riches.

Prayer from the Aberdeen Breviary

O God, who adorned the pious shepherd Saint Comgan, your confessor and abbot, with his shining miracles: grant, we pray, that supported by his merits and protection we may be worthy to reach eternal joys. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God Bless - from Eric