By Zoe Cannon, Gratitude for the Gift of Faith
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
In 1867, during the post-Civil War era, Walt Whitman published an interesting poem about the questions of life. He wondered how people fit into cities filled with the foolish. He notes that eyes vainly crave the light of objects, struggle in life with poor results and spend empty, useless years of rest. He writes: “The question, O me! So sad, recurring — What good amid these, O me, O life?” Whitman is asking, what is the point of living in a world so ugly and broken?
God is the Creator of life, and everything he created is a miracle. In the history of the world there has never been a time without drama and despair. Throughout salvation history we recognize that happiness comes in knowing, loving and serving God, but there is also sacrifice.
We cannot share our faith with confidence, if we do not understand or practice what we believe. Most importantly, we may fail to recognize what God has planned for us according to his purpose. In a society filled with questions and few facts or common sense answers, we must be intentional about knowing what to believe. The voice of the foolish may be a distraction, but we have truth in the Deposit of Faith.
We are never more aware of the unique contribution of a person’s life until their beautiful life ends. I recently attended the funeral service for my first cousin, Megan. Her premature passing at the age of 51 was difficult for everyone. She left behind a husband of 26 years, with two daughters in college. When Megan was 25 years old, her mother died of breast cancer at the age of 51; leaving a husband and two daughters in college. It is hard to see the Hand of God in this sad repeated family history. The most significant part of Megan’s story in life and death is the witness of her faith. She knew and trusted God as she prepared for her journey home.
We know that in all things God works for good for those who love him. The experience of losing someone you love is unfortunately part of life, but in knowing God’s plan . . . . we know that life never ends. Megan believed in life eternal, and I find comfort in that realization. Pray every day for the souls of the faithful departed . . . . offering holy Mass for them is a gift of love. Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring . . . . Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish.” Walt Whitman’s gloomy thoughts remind us that we need to be part of God’s plan for good. We have all done faithless and foolish things in life. When we finally figure out the purpose for which God calls us to live, we know it is his perfect timing. Don’t waste a minute! Nothing is ever promised, and life is very fragile. We cannot know what tomorrow will bring, but we know that God promises eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. I believe! Amen!
Zoe Cannon lives in Morgantown, Indiana, and is a member of Sts. Francis and Clare Parish in Greenwood, Indiana.