St. Alphonsus on Uniformity With God’s Will

St. Alphonsus on Uniformity With God’s Will

Mr. Joseph Paganelli, OP
St. Catherine of Siena Fraternity #401, Philadelphia, Penn.

The following is an excerpt from one of the
writings of St. Alphonsus Liguori titled
“Uniformity With God’s Will.” This topic,
though immensely challenging, is of supreme
importance in the spiritual life. In the excerpt
that follows, St. Alphonsus illustrates the
happiness, joy, and peace that come with
unreserved submission to the will of God.—JP
He who unites his will to God’s
experiences a full and lasting joy: full,
because he has what he wants; lasting,
because no one can take his joy from him
since no one can prevent what God wills
from happening. The devout [
Dominican] Father John Tauler, relates
this personal experience: For years he had
prayed to God to send him someone who
would teach him the real spiritual life.
One day at prayer, he heard a voice
saying: “Go to such and such a church and
you will have the answer to your prayers.”
He went and at the door of the church he
found a beggar barefooted and in rags. He
greeted the mendicant saying: “Good day,
my friend.” “Thank you sir, for your kind
wishes, but I do not recall ever having a
‘bad’ day.” “Then God has certainly given
you a very happy life.” “That is very true,
sir. I have never been unhappy. In saying
this, I am not making any rash statement
either. This is the reason: when I have
nothing to eat, I give thanks to God; when
it rains or snows, I bless God’s
Providence; when someone insults me,
drives me away, or otherwise mistreats
me, I give glory to God. I said I’ve never
had an unhappy day, and it’s the truth,
because I am accustomed to will
unreservedly what God wills. Whatever
happens to me, sweet or bitter, I gladly
receive from his hands as what is best for
me. Hence my unvarying happiness.”
“Where did you find God?” “I found him
where I left creatures.” “Who are you
anyway?” “I am a king.” “And where is
your kingdom?” “In my soul, where
everything is in good order; where the
passions obey reason, and reason obeys
God.” “How have you come to such a state
of perfection?” “By silence. I practice
silence towards men, while I cultivate the
habit of speaking with God.
Conversing with God is the way I
found and maintain my peace of soul.”
Union with God brought this poor beggar
to the very heights of perfection. In his
poverty, he was richer than the mightiest
monarch; in his sufferings, he was vastly
happier than worldlings amid their
worldly delights. (Alphonsus, no. 3)
Reference
Alphonsus Liguori. “Uniformity With God’s
Will,” translated by Thomas W. Tobin, C.SS.R.

1952. https://www.ewtn
      .com/catholicism/library/uniformity-withgods-will-12644.
      Honoring Dominican Saints and Praying for Deceased
      On November 7 we honor all saints of the Order of Preachers. The Litany of
      Dominican Saints may be found at
      https://www.laydominicans.org/resources/dominican-prayer-life/. And on
      November 8, we pray for all deceased Brothers and Sisters of our Order.