There is a small little book, worth its weight in gold, called Uniformity with God’s will by St Alphonsus Liguori. It is outstanding for its capacity to help the soul read all the events of its life in the light of God’s will. God has a plan for each of us and “for those who love God, all things work together unto good”.
Today on the feast of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop, we read at Matins this extract from a letter she wrote on the feast of the Ascension in 1874, and which is consonant with St Alphonsus’ teaching. It’s a gem and needs to be meditated. I share it here with you:
“Oh, Father, I cannot tell you what a beautiful thing the will of God seems to me. For some years past, my Communions, my prayers, my intentions have all been for God’s will to be done. I can never pray for a particular intention, a particular person, or anything particular about our own Institute, but in God’s loved will, that is – whilst I desire with all my heart to pray for these, I cannot help at the same time desiring that He only use my prayers for the intention that His own will most desires at this time. Thus I feel a joy when things go well, for I see His will in this, and an equal joy when they seem to go wrong or against our natural desire, for there again I see His will, and am satisfied that He has accepted my prayers and those of many more for some other object at the time nearer to His adorable will. To me, the will of God is a dear book which I am never tired of reading, which has always some new charm for me. Nothing is too little to be noticed there, but yet my littleness and nothingness has often dared to oppose it, and I am painfully conscious that in many ways I still in my tepidity offend against it without perceiving what I am doing. But such dear lessons as you gave me the other evening then come to my aid and encourage me, for the love of my sweet Jesus is too strong, too beautiful, and His merits too great, for me not to cling to Him.”
When you know the numerous trial she went through, in particular her unjust excommunication, you can only admire. Let’s learn from the lives of the saints. St Mary of the Cross, pray for us.
