Rediscovering the Word, Part I

     In this Year of Faith, our Holy Father has exhorted us to once again open the door of our hearts to the faith by delving into the Word of God and what Mother Church, in her God-given wisdom, has taught us about Him. Especially as women, we are called to become, “impregnated with the spirit of the Gospel” (Paul VI, Second Vatican Council) so as to bear Jesus Christ to the world in our day, in our time. Now.

    As we faithfully devote ourselves to this renewal, we will discover much we don't know, but we will also encounter much that is very familiar to us. A new unveiling of certain aspects of the faith is truly a magnificent grace from God, but as I continue my own studies, I realize more and more that we cannot allow the familiar concepts to slip into anything less magnificent. But we have perhaps heard some things so often that we have simply forgotten their very profound and encouraging messages. These truths are sometimes delivered in the simplest of packages: a single word. This semester I wish to pass on my rediscovery of the Word of God through the rediscovery of individual words I had mistakenly begun to overlook.

   

     Sometimes it's easy to feel like we've made a hot mess out of our day, or even experience high levels of anxiety because we have no idea where we are going in life (in both cases, I speak from frequent personal experience!). As we move into the second week of classes, are these thoughts creeping into your head and interrupting your sleep (however much you get in the first place)? What's important is to realize that these universal moments of exasperation are temptations towards doubt in God's goodness and care for each one of us. Temptations that must be put to rest—and allow you to get some z's as well!

   

    How many times have you heard someone drop the phrase “It was Divine Providence”? I don't know about you, but I began to automatically translate this phrase as, “It worked out the way it was apparently supposed to” or “Things turned out better than I expected.” But these “translations” don't exactly hit the nail on the head. What is the root word of providence? Provide! If you look up the word provident in a simple dictionary, you'll find, “providing for future needs or events.” So when our faith refers to Divine Providence, it is not merely saying, “God showed up and sorted everything out,” but that God is always present in our lives and even one step ahead of us. So if you're feeling queasy about your stacking reading assignments or the first term paper coming up sooner than you would have expected (and wanted), or even about navigating through life in general...relax. Look up and realize that you are never alone. Your Abba (Papa, Daddy) is holding your hand and guiding you one step at a time, and being the perfect Daddy, he'll never let you down. (Never, ever, ever. Like, ever).

    The Lord is constantly at work crafting your life into a masterpiece. I know it's really hard to believe it sometimes, and downright impossible to see it, but this is where trust comes into your faith life. Trust your Papa. He will see you through. And one day, he'll show you the end result, the work of art.

“The Plan of the Master Weaver”

author unknown

Our lives are but fine weavings

That God and we prepare,

Each life becomes a fabric planned

And fashioned in His care.

We may not always see just how

The weavings intertwine,

But we must trust the Master's hand

And follow his design.

For He can view the pattern

Upon the upper side,

While we must look from underneath

And trust in Him to guide...

Sometimes a strand of sorrow

Is added to His plan,

And though it's difficult for us,

We still must understand

That it's He who fills the shuttle,

It's He who knows what's best,

So we must weave in patience

And leave to Him the rest...

Not til the loom is silent

And the shuttle ceases to fly

Shall God unroll the canvas

And explain the reason why—

The dark threads are as needed

in the Weaver's skillful hand

As the threads of gold and silver

In the pattern He has planned

                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                In Him,
                                                                                                                                Stephanie