Prove your Faith by Your Trust
‘Look at the birds of the air,’ says Jesus. [Luke 12:24] What a splendid example for our faith to follow!
If God’s providence bestows an unfailing supply of food on the birds of the air who neither sow nor reap, we ought to realize that the reason for people’s supply running short is human greed.
The fruits of the earth were given to feed all without distinction and nobody can claim any particular rights. Instead, we have lost the sense of the communion of goods, rushing to turn these goods into private property.
The birds do not know famine because they do not claim anything specially for themselves and neither do they have any envy of others.
‘Consider the lilies of the field: not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed like one of these. If God so clothes the grass which is alive today and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe one of you!’ Listen to these stupendous and uplifting words.
With this parable of flowers and grass the Lord urges us to hope that God will also be merciful to us.
Nothing is more persuasive than a glance at unthinking creatures who have received such beautiful dress from providence. Surely we should be all the more ready to believe that human beings, if they entrust themselves completely to God and free themselves of all their worries, will not lack anything.
Ambrose
On the Gospel of St Luke, 7, 124ff. (PL15, 1751)
Let Nothing Discourage You: Have no Fear!
In accordance with the words of the apostle, always maintain an attitude of thankfulness: ‘Give thanks for all things.’ [1 Thess. 5:18]
For tribulations, sufferings, anguish, illness, physical pain, for everything that happens to you give thanks to God. Indeed, ‘Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.’ [Acts 14:22] There we shall be freed from every evil.
Have no doubt, never be discouraged. Remember Paul’s teaching: ‘Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed every day.’ [2 Cor. 4:16] Only by accepting suffering will you be able to share in the cross of Christ.
As long as the ship is far out to sea, it remains exposed to danger at the mercy of the winds. But
when it reaches harbour there is no longer anything to threaten its safety, its tranquillity, its peace. The same thing happens to you. During this life, you must expect pain and suffering and attack by spiritual storms. But when you arrive in harbour, you will have nothing else to fear.
Barsanuphius
Letters (ed. Nicodemo l’ Agiorita, Venice 1816)
~ Thomas Spidlik, Drinking from the Hidden Fountain, A Patristic Breviary: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World
