May God help us not to spoil his work

 

 

Trusting in Divine Providence our Declaration of Independence boldly proclaims that, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” 

Shortly after the signing of that Constitution, Ben Franklin was asked what the members of the Continental Congress had come up with, to which he replied, “A Republic if you can keep it.”  Adding depth to that reply George Washington warned that this, republican form of government was suitable only for a moral people and that it was wholly inadequate for any other. 

God loves us and has a great plan for our lives that includes: peace, joy, satisfying work and even eternal salvation.  But to have these things, we must follow His plan and co-operate with Him.  Too often in our lack of trust, we try to manipulate His plan and do it our way.  Francis Cardinal Arinze calls people that attempt this kind of self-direction, “architects of their own misery”.[1]  And Mother Teresa emphasizes this point in her short prayer, “May God help us not to spoil his work.”[2] 

It is our stubbornness, a lack of moral character and discipline that will loose us our freedom.