“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”
This passage from the Twelfth chapter of St. Luke is one that gives us great confidence. In fact, the whole chapter does. A wise man would read it meditatively immediately. It is a beautiful way of gaining the trust and confidence we need during these times of upheaval and disunity in the Church and in the world.
The Lord knows of our needs. He knows what a terrible situation the Church and the world is, yet, he calls us to trust Him and have Confidence in Him. He knows.
We, on the other hand, don’t know. We don’t know the future. We don’t know one iota of what could, might, possibly, might happen in the Church or the world. It could all be remedied in an instant. Or not. But worrying, fighting, and spiritual violence (to which so many have been subjected, especially in the past sixty or so years,) or physical violence we see sweeping our streets, is not the answer.
We must rightly correct, and in some rare cases, disobey even our bishop. For instance, if he commands something immoral such as to give Holy Communion to manifest, unrepented, and grave sinners. Priests must disobey that unlawful order. Or if a bishop suspends a priest who has not committed a Canonical Crime and without due process. That priest has no obligation follow that directive. Obedience has limits. The ultimate obedience is to Christ, not a pope or bishop. Bishops and popes should take heed of the office they hold lest they become little dictators in their sees doing whatever fits their “brand” of Catholicism. Woe to you scribes and pharisees! You are whitewashed sepulchers filled with all manner of filth!
But I digress. Confidence is the topic. Confidence in Jesus is the remedy when bad things happen in the Church or the world. Or even in our personal lives. When I was diagnosed with ALS, I immediately panicked. But frankly, that was not the proper supernatural response. The correct supernatural response is absolute, unmoving, undying, an and unwavering confidence in Jesus, who desires to give you the Kingdom. After a time, my confidence came back. Because we are mere men, we can fall into panic and lack of confidence. When I do, I remind myself that Lord desires to give me the Kingdom. That in the stormy sea, he is asleep, but there. He never leaves us in the storm. He merely sleeps till he awakens to calm the storm in the blink of an eye. So, fear not little flock, come hell or high water, and it may come, put your confidence not in the bishops, nor the pope, but only in the Lord, asleep in the boat.
So, have confidence in Him.
No matter what comes our way, confidence in Jesus. Confidence in the Immaculate Heart of Mary, confidence in St. Joseph, Terror of Demons.
“My little flock, it is my desire to give you the Kingdom.”
