XII — DIVINE PROVIDENCE

Presence of God. — O my God, who order and dispose all things for most lofty ends, teach me to entrust myself fully to your divine Providence.

Meditation

1 — “Divine wisdom,” says Sacred Scripture, “extends mightily from one end of the world to the other, and disposes all things sweetly” (Wis. 8:1). Divine wisdom is thus identified with divine providence, which orders, disposes, and guides all to the attainment of a well-determined end: ultimate and supreme end, God’s glory; proximate and secondary end, the good and happiness of creatures. Nothing exists without reason, nothing happens by chance in the world, but everything, absolutely everything, enters into the grand plan of divine providence, a plan in which every creature, even the lowest of all, has its place, its purpose, its value, in which every event, even the most insignificant, is foreseen from eternity and ordered in its least details. In this vast and marvelous plan all creatures, from the most sublime - such as angels - to the humblest - such as drops of dew and blades of grass - are called to contribute to the harmony and good of the whole.

If certain situations seem incomprehensible to us, if we cannot understand the reason for circumstances and creatures that make us suffer, it is because we do not know how to discover the place they have in the plan of divine providence in which all is ordered to our ultimate good. Yes, even suffering is ordered to our good, and God, who is infinite goodness, does not will and permit it except for this purpose. We believe this in theory, but easily forget it in practice, so that, when we find ourselves before dark and painful situations that come to break or hinder our plans and desires, we lose ourselves and the anguished question rises to our lips: “Why does God permit this?” Yet the answer is never lacking, and it is universal and infallible as divine providence itself is universal and infallible: God permits it solely for our good. This is the great conviction we need in order not to be scandalized before life’s trials. “All the ways of the Lord are mercy and truth to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies” (Ps. 24:10). We may doubt ourselves, we may doubt our goodness and fidelity, but not God, who is infinite goodness and fidelity.

2 — After creating us, God did not leave us at our own mercy but, like a tender mother, continues to assist us and provide for all our needs: “Can a woman forget her infant?... and if she should forget, I will never forget you,” says the Lord (Is. 49:15). Every man can in all truth consider these words as addressed to him in particular. And in fact God’s providence is so immense and powerful that, while embracing the whole universe, at the same time it takes special care of each one of his creatures, even the smallest. Precisely under this aspect Jesus presented to us the heavenly Father’s providence: “Not one sparrow falls to the ground without your Father... Fear not, therefore: you are of more value than many sparrows” (Mt. 10:29, 31). As God did not create us in series, but individually creates the soul of every man who comes into the world, so his divine providence does not limit itself to assisting us in a block, but assists us one by one, well knowing all our needs, our difficulties, and even our desires, and well knowing what most suits our true good. A mother, even the most solicitous, may ignore some need of her child, may forget it, may err in providing for it, or be unable to do so; but this will never happen to God whose providence knows all, sees all, can do all. Not even the smallest sparrow is forgotten, not even the humblest flower of the field is neglected. “Consider,” says Jesus, “how the lilies of the field grow; they neither labor nor spin. Yet... not even Solomon... was clothed like one of these. If then God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O men of little faith?” (Mt. 6:26-30). God’s providence surrounds us on all sides. By it we live, by it we move and are, and nevertheless we are so slow to believe in it, so distrustful! How we need to widen our heart in greater trust, indeed limitless trust, since divine providence is limitless!

Colloquy

“O my God, having created the world, You rule and govern it with marvelous goodness. You make plants spring up, make them sprout, in their time You make flowers bloom and then fruits. You govern the sun, moon, and planets, and in short You created all with marvelous order and made all for man. Man, moreover, You made for Yourself alone and You want to rest in him, nor do You want him to rest and find peace in anything but You. You have no need of the creature, and yet You place your rest in it, so that it may then enjoy You and enjoy You face to face, together with You. Your divine providence, O Lord, is such that You care for all as if they were one alone, and for one alone as if all were enclosed in that one. Oh, if your providence were understood, every creature would leave the things of this world and follow You in order to unite itself with your providence!” (St. Mary Magdalene de’ Pazzi).

“You are good, O Lord, toward all, and your pity is spread over all your creatures. Let all your works praise You, O Lord, and your devoted ones bless You. The eyes of all turn to You in expectation and You give all their food in due season; You open your hand and fill every living thing with favor. You do justice to the oppressed, give bread to the hungry, loose prisoners, open the eyes of the blind, heal broken hearts and bind up their wounds. You cover the heavens with clouds, prepare rain for the earth, and make grass grow on the mountains. You give their food to the animals, and to young ravens what they ask. O Lord, may all creatures pour themselves out in remembrance of your immense goodness and acclaim your liberality!” (cf. Ps. 144; 145; 146).