George Matulaitis Journal

to support one faction against another; we are determined to avoid all national and political feuds. We have no intention of undermining the social structure. All we want is to become more perfect, to live a better, more Godfearing life according to the spirit of the Gospel. We only wish and desire, and are willing to devote everything to achieve this goal, that the name of our Lord God be glorified everywhere and that our holy Mother Church grow and flourish. This can be only for the greater good of society and of the state. People often want to insure their future against any unforeseen calamity; they want to protect themselves against any mishap, to defend themselves from all misfortune. But can this be done without God? One tiny little slip can destroy your dream castle—a careless word, a serious illness, an evil person can ruin everything that you have built up with so much care. And what about the threat of death? Is not a person more peaceful, does he not face the future with greater confidence when he has abandoned himself without reserve to God’s Providence? Not even a hair of our head falls unless God wills it, not even the tiniest bird dies without God’s knowledge. 1 As we work to reach our goal, we must do everything we can to avoid difficulties and dangers, to stay out of the traps that have been laid for us. But then again, it is never permissible to renounce our vocation, to sacrifice our noble aims, or to allow for the possibility that less may be done for the greater glory of God and the good of the Church or even that nothing at all be done. We should avoid danger prudently, but, if need be, we should have the courage to look danger squarely in the face. Let us be humble, prudent, and resourceful as we try to do whatever we can, but let us also have courage, boldly seeking to attain our goal, firmly believing that the hand of Providence guides and carries us. As a little child sleeps peacefully in its mother’s arms, so let us undertake each task with even greater peace, knowing that we are in the arms of God. “Be cunning as serpents and yet as harmless as doves” (Mt 10:16). “Unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 18:3). 2 41 1 Cf., Mt 10: 29-30. 2 In the original, Scripture quotations are usually given in Latin, followed by a loose translation. Here we have substituted quotations from the Jerusalem Bible. Ed.