We often say, “God is our father”, and we address Him as his son taught us: “Our Father…” When we recite the creed, we confess “l believe in God, the Father Almighty“. However, some of us do not realize this comforting truth that our faith provides. Why is it so hard to trust in our Almighty Father?
It’s as if we do not believe that He really is our father; that He really is omnipotent, and we are his children. Not children in a metaphorical sense, but a real sense. Christ died on the cross so that we could be sons and daughters of God… at the cost of His own blood, Jesus made us God’s children. Jesus did not sacrifice himself for a metaphor.
Any father would complain if his children didn’t trust him.
The poet, Charles Peguy, put down these words as if they were God’s own:
“I know you well my child. For it is I who made you.
I know how to guide you, for it is what I do.
You will be asked for a lot of charity, heart, and much sacrifice.
You have plenty of charity and faith.
But what cannot be asked of you is to have a bit of hope;
some hope, some relaxation.
Surrender yourself to me and leave some things in my hands.
Let go of your worries.
You are so tense my child.”
We are tense because we are full of worries: the past and the future; problems that we have to solve within a set amount of time; plans that we have not been able to execute; health, safety, money, children, and elderly family members. We are tense because we think everything depends on us, and we do not trust God’s help. It is our own lack of trust.
Sometimes, in order to get us to trust Him, He makes us face moments of impotence and weakness.
This is not done to make our lives miserable, but so that we submit ourselves to His wisdom, His power and His love. Lord, I believe that you know the past and the future, and you have a marvelous plan for all of your children. I have faith in your limitless power that you use to our benefit. I know that your love for me is larger and more tender than that of all the mothers in the world. Your love is a love given to me like I was your only child.
Grant me, Lord, that which you ask of me: to let myself be guided by your will so that I may put my life in your hands and be freed from the need to control everything, to know everything, and to understand everything.
Father Tomás Trigo
