Thought for the Day – 11 August – Meditations with Antonio Cardinal Bacci (1881-1971)
Divine Providence
“How can we reconcile with this concept of Divine Providence, the confusion and injustice which also exists in the world?
Why does God sometimes permit the evil to prosper and the good to be oppressed?
Why does He not crush iniquity, as soon as it raises its head, instead of allowing the wicked to enjoy the pleasures of this earth, while the good are suffering?
The designs of God are hidden and mysterious but, it is certain, that He arranges everything justly and for the best.
God never hurries, for He contemplates all creatures and events, in the light of eternity.
The devil may hurry, “knowing that he has but a short time” (Apoc 12:12) but God is the Master of time!
God waits for men at the last threshold of life, in order to do justice to them all.
His patience and mercy endure until the final moment of death because, He has said: “I desire not the death of the wicked but that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Cf Ez 33:11).
This is the Mystery of God’s Mercy.
St Augustine offers another explanation as to why evil men often seem to be happy and victorious in this world.
His suggestion is quite frightening.
Even the worst of men, he says, do a certain amount of good during life.
Nevertheless, if they die unrepentant, they will be punished for all eternity.
Therefore, the justice of God concedes to them as a small reward in this life, for any good which they may have accomplished.”
Antonio Cardinal Bacci
PART ONE:
https://anastpaul.com/2020/08/19/thought-for-the-day-19-august-divine-providence/
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