Feast of Saint Swithbert

Good morning. We may pray with some regularity, and we may even participate in the sacraments, but when it comes to truly putting our trust in God, I dare say that most of us are take charge people and we tend to leave little to chance. Yet that is precisely what Jesus suggests in today’s Gospel, we should live our lives with trust that God will provide for our every need. The idea of accepting whatever God might send our way is quite a foreign concept to most married couples today. Rather, it is: “I trust in the Lord—kind of!” And, for many the idea of placing our lives in God’s hands is viewed with skepticism and seen as a rather quaint notion. Our first reading for today from the Book of Esther reads: “Save us from the hand of our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness and our sorrows into wholeness.”

 I dare to say that the idea of Divine Providence is not one which guides most people’s lives or marriages. No, with people’s lives being immersed in materialism most people’s gladness and sense of wholeness is viewed from a perspective of worldly things and they are not likely to turn to God for the direction of how to accumulate those things. No most of us tend to want to take charge; we choose to believe that we are in control. We may consider that Christ will provide the graces to married couples throughout their married life so that they will be faithful to their commitment, but one best keep the number of a good divorce lawyer handy, just in case. The idea that God will provide all the grace to fulfill one's responsibilities in marriage tends to be viewed as a rather quaint notion, and even amongst some clergy the likeliness of success is viewed with the certainty of an afternoon at the track.

 There are wonderful lessons for married couples in the lives of the saints and holy people. Saint Swithbert, whose life we celebrate today placed his trust in the Lord and as with all the saints offer sound direction for living lives which lead to true and lasting gladness and wholeness. As Blessed Mother Teresa reminds us, "we are the pencil in God’s hands."  As for me and my house, we’ll let God guide us. Make a great day!

Today we recall the good life, gifts, and work of Saint Swithbert.