The Holy Spirit working out solutions to problems

Friday-Saturday, September 2-3, 2016

Events that have transpired around me here at the Abbey and College have reminded me of the wondrous weaving of the tapestry of life that is part of the Lord’s care for us in our lives. An example follows. Rather than giving you a factual account of something that has happened, I will attempt to sketch it out in very general terms that perhaps may be applied (in part) to your own life. And so here is the outline of something very wonderful that has recently happened around here. I would like to call this a “providential pattern.”

·         A need develops that begs for resolution.

·         God prepares a person to meet that need over the course of his/her lifetime without the person ever realizing what was about to take place.

·         At the very last minute which becomes the perfect moment, He arranges for the person and the need to intersect.

·         In the story of the person’s life, this intersection takes place at the perfect time. Even just a few months ago, the person could not have imagined that such an intersection would be feasible, possible, or even desirable. But suddenly, over the course of just a few days, the Holy Spirit inspires the person to consider the appropriateness and desirablilty of an opportunity to open a new chapter in his/her life.

·         Once the meeting of person and need has taken place, many other details crop up that help to support, encourage and facilitate the work that has to be done to meet the original need.

As I am writing this outline, it becomes apparent to me that this work of the Holy Spirit in one little corner of the world here in 2016 has happened again and again in my life and in the life of other people who have shared their stories with me over the years. But, most of all, it becomes apparent to me that this “sketch” of incidents is reflected in the life of Our Blessed Mother as described in the Angelus:

The Angel of God appeared unto Mary

and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Behold the handmaid of the Lord,

be it done unto me according to your will.

And the Word became flesh

and dwelt among us.

This Sunday, we celebrate the canonization of Saint Teresa of Calcutta, our beloved Mother Teresa. Perhaps we might discern that the same providential pattern was played out in her life as well.

Think on these things, will you?

God bless you!