The Design of God's Heart

In anticipation of the feast of St. Benedict tomorrow, July 11, I have been pondering the following observation by Sr. Joan Chittister: “No on knows much about Benedict and Scholastica as historical individuals, true. But what we do know is that they stood in the midst of a decaying society and refused to go into decay with it.”

Like saints Benedict and Scholastica, we are living in a time of blatant greed, corruption, and misuse of earth’s resources, and much of our society is responding by seeking escape through entertainment and various addictions. However, we can choose a different response by walking the path of humility instead of self-aggrandizement, simplicity rather than consumption, and compassion rather than disdain.

It’s hard not to fret about the harm being done in our world, but we can take comfort from the words of Psalm 33, which says, “The Lord brought to nought the plans of nations; God foils the designs of peoples. But the plan of the Lord stands forever; the design of God’s heart, through all generations.” As with saints Benedict and Scholastica, we can seek to live in right relationship with God, each other, and the earth and trust that the design of God’s heart will prevail.