A dark cloud that hangs over the heads of some

A dark cloud that hangs over the heads of some

My grandson is in the hospital from an accident where a large tree or one of its branches fell on his leg, seriously damaging some muscle tissue and other areas of his leg.  As he was being wheeled to the operating room he told his mother that it was the black cloud that seems to be his downfall, with injury after injury.  

Some of the past instances that put him in the hospital appeared to come along more often than could be common for a young man.  The erroneous thought that some people live under a surge of obvious mishaps that are part of one's make-up that unfortunately attack them is not true.  We've Heard that bad things happen especially to God-fearing persons while those who are not faithful to God live without tragedies.  However true that may seem there is not a black cloud or some evil quest waiting to trap us causing disbelief or trust in God that at every turn we will be a target for pain or even death.

No matter how often we pray, give alms to the poor, or fast from the pleasures of life, we still will encounter the results of bad things occurring more often than not.  I once heard that St. Teresa  fell off a horse into the mud and she received in prayer, an insight that Jesus said that’s how I treat my friends.   She responded with no wonder you have so few friends.   In other words, no matter how holy one may appear, little mishaps come into our life and our salvation does not depend on them. 

As far as a black cloud or whatever insignificant particle that one believes is hovering over us is an absolute figment of our imagination.  What is needed with any situation is more trust in a divine entity that never leaves us and constantly is present deep within our persona.  He, and many more, need a catechesis on the theology of what we received at baptism and its counterpart the Sacrament of Confirmation.  If we adhere to the dictates of a life lived through the Sacraments of the Church we shall find an opening to mysteries we forgot.

Is there an invisible evil inclination hanging around and one does not know how to escape it?  Trust in Christ where he died to erase the idols of doubt and receive the grace that is ours for the asking.  

Ralph B. Hathaway