From Our Pastor

God's Will and Prayer
April 14, 2019

“Not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” Matt 26:39

The great remedy in the midst of trials is prayer and resignation. In every cross, turn to God in prayer. He will either remove it or give you the grace to carry it. We see this with our Lord in the agony in the garden.  He prays thrice to have the chalice pass, but always insists that it is not as He wills, but as the Father wills it. Resignation, as a virtue, is an act of love, by which we submit our will to the will of God. Job did this: “if we received good things, why should we not receive evil.” Job 2:10 

Resignation is necessary because God’s authority is all powerful and none can resist it. Crosses will come our way to try and purify us, and we cannot resist it. God sends them for our own good and we must strive to see them in that light, even though we cannot understand it at that time. God is just and His judgements are right. He ordains all things for the best.

Resignation is a powerful shield in adversity; it disposes us to receive God’s grace and it brings us peace and happiness despite the burden of the newly added cross. 

How do we obtain and practice resignation? First, we need a lively faith, knowing that all things happen through the Providence of God. Secondly a sincere practice of charity. The effect of charity is that it unites them that love. Supernatural charity unites us to God. This love of God will be manifested through our love of each other. Thirdly is mortification, which removes the obstacles that selfishness puts in the way. Fourthly is to consider what Providence has given each of us: life, food, drink, a home, and if we consider the Saints, there are miracles galore. Fifthly is obedience. Obedience to our superiors is mainly a sacrifice of our wills, which gets properly formed to help us conform to the will of God.  Formed by obedience, resignation is easier when crosses come our way. 

Consider the Lord’s Prayer that He taught us and how He prayed in the Garden. The prayer “Thy will be done” has to be from the heart and not just from our lips. Let us carefully follow our Lord in the liturgy during this most sacred time to help us to relive our Lord’s Passion and try to learn to submit ourselves as He did.

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Charles Van Vliet, FSSP
Pastor, Regina Caeli Parish