Nothing Happens By Chance

“In God’s plan, nothing happens by chance.” St. John Paul II

I often wonder how much of our lives we can control. It would be great if we could control everything around us, but this is not the case. Recently, at mass, there was a friar attending. It made me curious, so I spoke to him after, and we exchanged pleasantries. It is always interesting to meet someone outside the parish, since mass there is often very bleak. People show up in our lives unbeknownst to us. It is usually when we least expect it.

“Do not say, ‘this happened by chance, while this came to be of itself.’ In all that exists there is nothing disorderly, nothing indefinite, nothing without purpose, nothing by chance…. How many hairs are on your head? God will not forget one of them. Do you see how nothing, even the smallest thing, escapes the gaze of God? St. Basil the Great.

I was struck recently by St. Nunzio Sulprizio. “Be always with the Lord, because all good comes from him. Suffer for the love of God, with joy.” Such great words from someone who suffered so much. His father died when he was young, and his mother remarried but her new husband was not a good man. When his mother subsequently died, he lived with his pious grandmother and then she died. At the age of nine, he found himself with an unruly uncle who made his life miserable. He showed no empathy for Nunzio and worked him until he dropped. After his leg injury became gangrenous, he was taken in by Colonel Wochinger. Before he could enter religious life, he died at 19. For the world, this would be a tale of woe. For anyone who lives a life in the Church and with Christ, it becomes lesson for us all.

“If you learn everything except Christ, you learn nothing. If you learn nothing except Christ, you learn everything.” St. Bonaventure

I also read about St. Luigi Orione who had a fiery temper, yet he loved the poor. I am always fascinated by potential young saints who were eager for their faith. This does not happen by chance, yet each person is called to greatness. They are such examples for us and St. Luigi was no exception. He was close to Don Bosco and learned much from him. He helped others by building schools, helping earthquake victims, and establishing homes for the sick. He worked diligently, “Save always, save everyone, save at any sacrifice.” All this devotion was never without his trust in the Virgin Mary. This is an example for all of us.

“Whatever you do, think of the glory of God as your main goal.” St. John Bosco