To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ be glory forever and ever!

My family in Christ,

Glory to God for His wisdom. Glory to God for His mercy.

God gives David a message: I have my own plans and who are you to take charge? Look at what I have done for you and how, through you, my plan of salvation will be fulfilled. I will raise up and heir to you who will be king forever.

God tells us through Isaiah 55:8-9: “My ways are not your ways, and my thoughts are not your thoughts; but just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

There is no contradiction or lack of knowing in God, but there is finite understanding in us. God is perfection, our knowledge is transitory and limited.

Today we held our semi-annual penance service. At every Holy Mass our Church imparts penance and absolution after you pause to reflect on your sinfulness and privately confess to God. Do you do a good job every week? Do you focus on those recurrent sins in your life? Do you formally tell God, —I am sorry, I did wrong, I hurt You, please forgive me?— Are you serious in acknowledging God as Father and in understanding that you are made to love Him above all?

Today was the way we try to get ourselves back on track, to remember those ways we offend God and hurt our brothers and sisters. Did you know that those reflections were in our pew missals? Good practice —“ get here early and read those reflections.

My sisters and brothers,

This was indeed a mysterious week. We are sad at the death of our Bishop, Casimir Grotnik. At the same time, we recognize our joy that the Lord has rescued Him and is now holding him in His arms. Bishop Grotnik will hear the words: ‘Come to me good and faithful servant.’

Why did he have to suffer so much? Why in the face of suffering, was he so filled with love and generosity?

I tell you, from personal experience, it is so difficult not to question God. It is also difficult to see our suffering as so much less than the suffering Jesus Christ endured for our salvation.

In the book of Job, Job remains faithful to God. He does not turn on Him in the face of horrendous suffering. But he does question why. When God comes to him and his friends God is very clear:

Then the LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said: Who is this that obscures divine plans with words of ignorance? Gird up your loins now, like a man; I will question you, and you tell me the answers! Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its size; do you know? Who stretched out the measuring line for it? Into what were its pedestals sunk, and who laid the cornerstone?

God goes on to question him through two chapters. In summary God is saying: —What do you know?—

Our answer must be: —Nothing! You are God!—

Like Mary, we must respond to God with the willingness to take on all God asks of us. To accept suffering with joy, to be humble, to thank Him for the blessings we have received, and to know God is our Lord and master.

And … Mary said, —Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.—

Let us pray that along with Mary we may answer, as we wake each morning, “May it be done to me according to your word.—

Amen.