“What has befallen you—behold, it may fade away. What you make of it, O soul, that shall endure.” (Albertus Magnus)
Our Father encompasses everything that happens to us because He is aware of it; nothing happens without Him. Either His active will was fulfilled in us, or it was permitted. With these words, St. Albert was likely referring more to God’s permissions, for what God’s active grace has bestowed upon us should always remain in our memory and inspire great gratitude. The situation is different with regard to the suffering and all the adversities we experience, as well as our sins and the many missteps we have to lament. This is where the saint’s words take effect, for we must deal with these things in the Spirit of the Lord, and this is decisive in determining how fruitful all that we would not have chosen for ourselves can become.
The forgiveness of sins and the correction of our missteps call us to be grateful for God’s goodness and to commit ourselves resolutely to repentance. While the effects of sin are meant to fade, gratitude and zeal for God should be firmly anchored in our souls and endure.
The experience of suffering and weakness, and the endurance of adversity, are meant to test our love and faithfulness to God and thereby cause them to grow. The memory of this suffering may pass, but the strength it has given our souls must not perish. It must endure and serve us on our continued journey of following Christ.
In His wisdom, God holds all things within His holy will and intends to make them fruitful for our salvation. Blessed is the one who comes to know our heavenly Father more and more!