Faith Is Never Unhappy

Note:  The 1 pm Rosary Rally in the South Common is on Saturday.  Weather should be clear.  I failed to mention the day in yesterday's slice of Daily Bread.  Sorry.  One reader called me from an empty Common; hence I became aware of this omission.  Hope to see many folks on Saturday.

Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade, SJ , noted spiritual writer, whose spiritual classic, Abandonment to Divine Providence, still provides guidance and nourishment for those seeking a closer relationship with Jesus, states clearly that "Faith is never unhappy."  Faith gives us an assurance beyond human experience and logic that "All shall be well", a refrain used often by the anchoress, Julian of Norwich, centuries before de Caussade wrote.  People of faith have an optimism and joy that defy and challenge the gloomy pessimists whose caution and fear prevent them from seeing the good that lies behind the "clouds" we face each day. Instead of concentrating on weakness and failures, or the paralyzing "what if's" that could occur, the person of faith plunges ahead in the belief that "God will provide."  For some this is not convincing enough, so no plunges are taken. But for those who are convinced, it makes all the difference.   It doesn't take too much imagination to see what would NOT have come to pass if St. Marcellin did not move fearlessly on the faith that has brought is vision to 79 countries and 650,000 students in our Marist schools around the world.  His labors, his physical sufferings, his rejections, the lowly esteem in which he was held by so many, did not stop him.  His faith made him happy and gave him strength, and serves as a model for us.  Lord, please give me the same faith you gave to St. Marcellin.  Amen.
Bro. Rene