“...You say to God, “I have never seen you provide for me.” God says to you, “You have never trusted Me.”

“To be sure, it was not Easter Sunday but Holy Saturday, but, the more I reflect on it, the more this seems to be fitting for the nature of our human life: we are still awaiting Easter; we are not yet standing in the full light but walking toward it full of trust.” ― Pope Benedict XVI, Milestones: Memoirs 1927-1977

Scripture Text: (SIR 2:1-11)

My son, when you come to serve the LORD,
stand in justice and fear,
prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast,
incline your ear and receive the word of understanding,
undisturbed in time of adversity.
Wait on God, with patience, cling to him, forsake him not;
thus will you be wise in all your ways.
Accept whatever befalls you,
when sorrowful, be steadfast,
and in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold and silver are tested,
and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.
Trust God and God will help you;
trust in him, and he will direct your way;
keep his fear and grow old therein.

You who fear the LORD, wait for his mercy,
turn not away lest you fall.
You who fear the LORD, trust him,
and your reward will not be lost.
You who fear the LORD, hope for good things,
for lasting joy and mercy.
You who fear the LORD, love him,
and your hearts will be enlightened.
Study the generations long past and understand;
has anyone hoped in the LORD and been disappointed?
Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken?
has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?
Compassionate and merciful is the LORD;
he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble
and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth.

Today’s readings from Mass are lessons in discipleship and trust…. trusting God.  The most difficult words to obey are: Trust God.  We hear it every day, we sing about it in church, and we read about it in scripture, but could we say that our hearts are open enough to just do it?  Do we feel free enough to let go of our worries and fears and just trust God?  We are good at worrying, trying to fix things, and sitting in our hurts, but isn’t it time to rest our quivering hearts? Isn’t it time to trust God’s love for us?  Don’t you remember what God whispered to you just before you were born?  God whispered, ‘all that you will find easy and all that you will find to be a burden and difficult, will all work together for your good, because you are mine.  You are a manifestation of my love.  Trust me to guide your path.  Trust me.’  So, when life doesn’t seem fair, when we don’t understand why, and our hopes and plans are crushed, let us remember that God has our best interest at heart, and there is meaning; you have a purpose which is bigger than can be imagined.  It is so, because you are a child of God; we are children of God.