The Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods are a community of vowed Catholic women religious. Inspired by our foundress Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, we are passionate about our lives of prayer, education, service and advocacy.
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Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”
And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Reflection
“Have confidence in the Providence that so far has never failed us. The way is not yet clear. Grope along slowly. Do not press matters; be patient, be trustful.” – Saint Mother Theodore Guerin, letter to the Sisters of Providence at Jasper, Indiana, March 20, 1843.
We began the Sunday Gospel readings this July with Jesus sending forth a large group of disciples. He instructed them not to worry about their needs along the way. Trust in Providence, and all will be provided. Today, we hear a reiteration of that same message. Ask God for whatever it is you need; God will provide.
Today’s lesson in trusting Providence begins with a lesson on prayer. Notice the format: Honor and praise of God, deference to harmony with Divine Will, asking for our needs and forgiveness while immediately committing to offer the same to others, and finally, remembering what is our greatest priority – the love of God.
The lesson then turns to how we are to go about leaning on Providence. Jesus didn’t leave us with all the concrete answers. Sometimes, we know exactly what we need. Sometimes, we’re a bit clueless. Other times, we think we know what our needs are only to be surprised by the way Providence works in our lives to provide what we needed most and didn’t even know was missing.
We must make our needs known; we must do so in relationship with others. It is through community that Providence is made known to us. In turn, by trusting in Providence and being open to how God can work in our lives, we became the embodiment of Providence to others, and we’re called to be welcoming of and aware of those around us rather than dismissing, ignoring or being indifferent.
As the fictional Sister Monica Joan of the BBC television series Call the Midwife said, “The hands of the Almighty are so often to be found at the ends of our own arms.”
Action
How can you be more attentive to the communities and families where you find yourself? Are there people asking, perhaps without words, for a need you can help to fulfill? What do you seek from Providence? If you are seeking community, consider how the Providence Community might be calling for you
Brad Crites is a Providence Associate and former webmaster and adjunct faculty member at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. He specializes in teaching and learning as well as organizational culture and change dynamics. He is committed to philanthropy and community development as a Lilly Scholar Alumnus. He currently works for Purdue University as an Educational Technology Consultant. Brad lives with his wife, Tiffany, and their children, Brooklyn, Brett, and Brentley on their historic family farm near Solsberry, Indiana.
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