On this first day of 2008 we all look forward to the future with hope and expectation for the new events, challenges and opportunities this new year will hold for us. A key attitudinal adjustment we can all make as we approach the coming year is to make a determination to find God in all things, in whatever may happen. If we believe in the grace of God, then no matter what happens, good or bad, we can enter into the experience looking for God's hand at work, either to bring us a blessing, or to help us grow, or to admonish us, or to move us to greater compassion. Imagine if we can have a deep down attitude of gratitude that we would be able to thank God for every day of our lives and for every event of our lives. Would this apply to tragedies, sickness, sufferings and even death? Yes!
A Jesuit, Pedro Arrupe, was the leader of the Jesuits from 1965 to 1983, right after the Second Vatican Council which concluded in 1965. It was a time of drastic change and extreme challenges. In every event he looked to "find God in all things," a key principle of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Towards the end of his life he suffered a stroke which debilitated him for the remaining 10 years of his life. During those 10 years he was paralyzed on his right side and became completely mute. Was he able to find God in this experience of being trapped in his stricken body for 10 years? Yes, and he composed a prayer that captured his attitude. It goes this way:
More than ever I find myself in the hands of God. This is what I have wanted all my life from my youth. But now there is a difference; the initiative is entirely with God. It is indeed a profound spiritual experience to know and feel myself so totally in God's hands.
So with whatever happens this coming year, let us look for the hand of God in every event of every day so that we too may "find God in all things."
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