“It is necessary, therefore, not to be distressed, but to occupy oneself reasonably with one’s duties; not to allow oneself to be dominated by the anxiety of gloomy prospects for the future, but to count without hesitation on the help of Providence.
Newsroom (28/08/2022 3:00 PM, Gaudium Press) It is often said that money is an excellent servant, but a terrible master. Woe to those who make money the ultimate goal of their existence! However, we do have to manage our needs, and we often come up against uncomfortable financial difficulties in our paths… On this subject, Fr. Thomas de Saint-Laurent, in “The Book of Trust”, makes a very illuminating comment:
“God provides for our needs. ‘Do not be anxious,’ says the Lord. What is the exact meaning of this advice? Should we, in order to obey the Master’s direction, completely neglect temporal affairs? We know that grace sometimes asks of certain souls the sacrifice of strict poverty and total abandonment to Providence, but what are we to do?
The Holy Spirit praises the strong woman who knew how to manage her household well. We see her, in the Book of Proverbs, waking up early in the morning to distribute to the servants their daily chores and also working with her own hands. Nothing escapes her vigilance. Her people have nothing to fear: thanks to her foresight, they will all find that which is necessary, which is pleasant, and even a certain moderate luxury. Her children proclaim her blessed, and her husband extols her virtues (cf. Pr 21:10-28).
Truth would not have praised this woman so warmly if she had not done her duty. It is necessary not to be distressed, but to occupy oneself reasonably with one’s duties; not to allow oneself to be dominated by the anguish of gloomy prospects for the future, but instead to count, without hesitation, upon the help of Providence. Have no illusions! Such confidence requires great strength of soul. We must avoid a double pitfall: the pitfall of too much and too little. He who, through negligence, neglects his duties and his affairs, cannot, without tempting God, expect exceptional help. He who gives material concerns the first place in his thoughts, he who counts more on himself than on God, deceives himself even more crassly; he thus robs the Most High of the place that is His due in our life.”
Compiled by Sandra Chisholm
