In The Midst of Our Current Troubles
We're continuing our special series of posts to help us work through this
Holy Season of Lent. Each will incorporate the advice provided by Father de
Caussade in Abandonment to Divine Providence, specifically
referencing passages from the "Letters on the Practice of Abandonment to
Divine Providence" that are typically included in editions of his
spiritual writing.
We continue now with Letter X - Continued Troubles
This letter can help us combine Father's general insistence on developing the practice of divine abandonment with our natural concerns about the Coronavirus that has turned our world upside down. This despite the fact that it was written in the 18th century. Letter X begins with this simple statement:
"I am sorry that your troubles continue."
Since none of us has a really clear picture of how things will turn out, or when we can expect some semblance of normalcy, I think it's fair to say we're in the midst of troubling times. And our troubles do continue.
In the greater scheme of things, I think it's fair to say that our current troubles can't be dismissed as small potatoes. That's certainly true for me.
While I generally work from home, and while my business hasn't been too severely impacted, so much else around me has been churned up. With Masses suspended, the day may begin in its usual fashion, but daily Mass is off the table for now. My wife and I avoid going to stores. While we don't go out socially that much compared to others I know, we're not visiting family or friends at all now. Early on we did a fair amount of shopping in stores to stock up, but we stopped that as the virus now enters its most dangerous phase where we live. Cases double every day and will for some time to come.
Admittedly, none of this really "feels" so bad, especially in light of the sudden unexpected death of our oldest child last year - something we've written about from time to time. But with that perspective, I'm not oblivious to the fact that others may be experiencing all this in a manner that's perhaps disorienting and disturbing.
Whether your troubles are great or (in my case) relatively small, Father de Caussade recommends we remember these two "great principles":
"1st. That there is nothing so small, or so apparently indifferent which God does not permit, even to the fall of a leaf.
2nd. God is sufficiently wise, and good and powerful and merciful to turn even the most, apparently, disastrous events to the advantage and profit of those who humbly adore and accept His will in all that He permits."
Consider your own situation now. Review what we discussed last week regarding our work during this crisis. Maybe add in just about any problems, any trouble, any crosses you may have faced or had to bear. Consider, too, that this letter was written to an 18th-century nun. I suspect we can all find sufficient situations to apply Father's advice here.
At this point, let's also turn to all the politicians, physicians, statisticians, media sources - in short to all in this world attempting to explain this virus, direct us how to respond to it, even those who seek a cure or at least some preventative measures to minimize our exposure to it. Taking nothing away from their efforts, taking nothing away from our own prudent measures to keep ourselves and our family's safe, let us nevertheless place Father's two "great principles" front and center.
For those who might think this an unsophisticated, naive, or simplistic attitude in the face of our current crisis, Father de Caussade has some gentle advice:
"I am aware that my direction is considered rather too simple, but what does that matter? This holy simplicity hated by the world is, to me, so delightful that I never dream of correcting it. Everyone to his taste. I respect those who are wise and prudent, but I content myself with remaining one of those poor, simple and little people of whom Jesus Christ speaks...Let us be sure that God arranges all for the best. Our fears, our activities, our urgencies make us imagine inconveniences where in reality they do not exist. Let us follow step by step the ways of Divine Providence, and when we realize what is required of us let us desire that and nothing else."
We continue now with Letter X - Continued Troubles
This letter can help us combine Father's general insistence on developing the practice of divine abandonment with our natural concerns about the Coronavirus that has turned our world upside down. This despite the fact that it was written in the 18th century. Letter X begins with this simple statement:
"I am sorry that your troubles continue."
Since none of us has a really clear picture of how things will turn out, or when we can expect some semblance of normalcy, I think it's fair to say we're in the midst of troubling times. And our troubles do continue.
In the greater scheme of things, I think it's fair to say that our current troubles can't be dismissed as small potatoes. That's certainly true for me.
While I generally work from home, and while my business hasn't been too severely impacted, so much else around me has been churned up. With Masses suspended, the day may begin in its usual fashion, but daily Mass is off the table for now. My wife and I avoid going to stores. While we don't go out socially that much compared to others I know, we're not visiting family or friends at all now. Early on we did a fair amount of shopping in stores to stock up, but we stopped that as the virus now enters its most dangerous phase where we live. Cases double every day and will for some time to come.
Admittedly, none of this really "feels" so bad, especially in light of the sudden unexpected death of our oldest child last year - something we've written about from time to time. But with that perspective, I'm not oblivious to the fact that others may be experiencing all this in a manner that's perhaps disorienting and disturbing.
Whether your troubles are great or (in my case) relatively small, Father de Caussade recommends we remember these two "great principles":
"1st. That there is nothing so small, or so apparently indifferent which God does not permit, even to the fall of a leaf.
2nd. God is sufficiently wise, and good and powerful and merciful to turn even the most, apparently, disastrous events to the advantage and profit of those who humbly adore and accept His will in all that He permits."
Consider your own situation now. Review what we discussed last week regarding our work during this crisis. Maybe add in just about any problems, any trouble, any crosses you may have faced or had to bear. Consider, too, that this letter was written to an 18th-century nun. I suspect we can all find sufficient situations to apply Father's advice here.
At this point, let's also turn to all the politicians, physicians, statisticians, media sources - in short to all in this world attempting to explain this virus, direct us how to respond to it, even those who seek a cure or at least some preventative measures to minimize our exposure to it. Taking nothing away from their efforts, taking nothing away from our own prudent measures to keep ourselves and our family's safe, let us nevertheless place Father's two "great principles" front and center.
For those who might think this an unsophisticated, naive, or simplistic attitude in the face of our current crisis, Father de Caussade has some gentle advice:
"I am aware that my direction is considered rather too simple, but what does that matter? This holy simplicity hated by the world is, to me, so delightful that I never dream of correcting it. Everyone to his taste. I respect those who are wise and prudent, but I content myself with remaining one of those poor, simple and little people of whom Jesus Christ speaks...Let us be sure that God arranges all for the best. Our fears, our activities, our urgencies make us imagine inconveniences where in reality they do not exist. Let us follow step by step the ways of Divine Providence, and when we realize what is required of us let us desire that and nothing else."
We adore Thee, O Christ, and we bless Thee,
Because by Thy Holy Cross Thou hast redeemed the world.
Comments