For those of you who may be feeling overwhelmed or worried, about war or violence or the general chaotic state of affairs that has become the new normal, I offer this quote, from Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement. I pray it will bring you peace, and that this gift of peace may enable us to bring hope and healing to our world.

Sometimes we are assailed by an unrelenting attack of thoughts about the past, present or future, or about places, circumstances or persons that we cannot handle directly. It requires our greatest effort to take the helm of our ship and maintain the course by doing what God wills of us in the present moment.

A perfect response on our part requires of us a will, a decision, but above all a confidence in God that can border on heroism.

“I can do nothing in that particular case, for that person dear to me who is sick or in danger, for that complicated situation. . .

“So I will do what God wants of me in this moment. I will study hard or sweep the house well, and pray well, take good care of my children . . .

“And God will tend to unraveling that tangled knot, comforting the sufferer, resolving that unforeseen problem.”

This is a partnership of perfect communion. It demands from us great faith in the love of God for his children and this enables God then, by our response, to have faith in us. This mutual trust works miracles.

We will see that, before we even reach some crisis, Another has arrived there before us and done immensely better than we could.

Our heroic act of confidence will be rewarded. Our life, limited to a single field, will acquire a new dimension. We will feel ourselves in touch with the Infinite, that which we yearn for, and our faith, gaining new vigor, will reinforce our charity, our love.

–       Chiara Lubich, Essential Writings

God, help me develop the virtue to always extend this confidence to You, who make all things new and bind us all back together again.