Scripture:
Reflection:
Providence of God
“They traveled through the Phrygian and Galatian territory because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from preaching the message in the province of Asia. When they came to Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them”. ACT 16:6
The Acts of the Apostles in the Scriptures for the Easter Season are not just a fascinating history of the early Church. They guide us today as we are still in the business of preaching the Word! Paul had his plans for evangelization, but like our plans, they were not always God’s plans. “The Holy Spirit prevented” Paul’s plan. The Greek NT word for “prevent” uses “eao” which means “did not allow it”. Fortunate for us, our plans are often His wishes for us! God is love! The only thing He can do is love us.
Divine Providence
When our designs are blocked after great effort, it might well be that God has something much better in mind for us. This is more likely to be the case when something happens to us that we can’t do anything to change it. I have been a priest now for 60 years, and many people have said very helpful things to me. One I can’t seem to forget is this one. Many years ago, a man in Detroit asked me, “Do you want to make God laugh? Tell Him your plans for tomorrow!” It’s a spin-off of an old Yiddish proverb: “We plan, God laughs.”
God’s vision for us is way beyond our dreams and hopes on this earth; He thinks forever! This is what we call Divine Providence. The word comes from Hebrew when God asked the near impossible of Abraham to sacrifice his only begotten son. His son asks: “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” In Hebrew text, “God will see to it” Yahweh-Yireh!
Our word in English comes from the Latin translation pro videre God will see to it or take care of it! “Father, help us to rest our heads on the soft pillow of Your providence.” Alistar Begg
Fr. Bob Weiss, C.P. preaches Parish Missions and is a member of the Passionist Community in Louisville, Kentucky.