Saint Faustina Kowalksa, Virgin (Optional Memorial)

I have dealt with great things that I do not understand.

Job thought he knew who God was and how God should behave. So when he faced catastrophe upon catastrophe, he felt he was being treated unfairly. He was one of God’s closest friends; it made no sense that God would treat him this way. Not even his lengthy disputes with three friends—who also thought they knew God—could convince him otherwise. God had been unfair to Job, and Job had to call him to account for his actions.

But when God finally did show up, Job quickly changed his tune. Confronted by the majesty and the mystery of the Lord, Job realized how little he truly knew. His only possible response was to “repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6).

In a sense, Job is every one of us. We think we know, but life teaches us that we don’t. We think we can predict God’s actions, but time shows that we can’t. And it’s not because we aren’t holy enough. Even the great St. Paul, who saw the Lord in visions and heard his voice directly, confessed that we could only “see indistinctly, as in a mirror” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

So where does this leave us? Hopelessly resigned to a life of ignorance and fear? Not at all! It leaves us with one of the greatest gifts God has given us: faith. Faith in God’s unconditional, uncontestable love for us (Romans 8:35). Faith in his desire and ability to give us a share in his kingdom (Luke 12:32). Faith that one day we will see him as fully as he sees us (1 John 3:2).

It’s okay not to have all the answers—or any answer, for that matter. What matters is not how much you know but how much you trust your heavenly Father. He is the all-knowing God who holds you in the palm of his hand. He is the all-loving God who sent his Son to redeem you. Of course he will care for you! Even when you can’t see him or feel him or grasp his ways, he is right by your side, holding you in his love.

“Lord, help me to trust in you!”

Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Psalm 119:66, 71, 75, 91, 125, 130
Luke 10:17-24