WE MUST place our trust in God. Trust in this sense means standing with both feet on solid rock. I say "both feet" because I'm referring to two things that a faithful Christian must do for his part: 1.) he must be unswervingly devoted to the Sunday commandment and 2.) he must have a habit of frequent confession (the school of humility).
HEART OF RELATIONSHIP
BOTH OF these Christian practices go the heart of relationship with God and neighbor. Here's what Jesus says about solid rock:
EVERY ONE then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon the rock; and the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. [Mt 7:24-25]
Here's what Jesus says about trust: "Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." [Mk 10:15] Trust Jesus, and examine your conscience carefully. Then go to Confession. Make frequent Confession a habit of your life.
CHILDLIKE TRUST
A YOUNG child places unconditional trust in his parents for everything. Without question or the least doubt, he anticipates his next meal, a loving embrace, warm clothing, a safe home, and extravagant love and countless other things besides. For his part, the child must be unswervingly devoted to his mother and father, and he must evidence (and be schooled in) the virtue of humility.
WE MAY say, then, that such a child stands on solid rock. Christ teaches us, therefore, that his follower must be childlike (trusting) and not childish (selfish). Standing on the solid rock of faith and religious practice, we must put our unconditional trust in our heavenly Father for everything. By our fidelity to the sacraments (Sunday Eucharist and Confession), and by our prodigal trust, we are released from grave doubts about whether or not salvation is ours.
RELEASED FOR JOY
WE ARE released to experience life, in ordinary and extraordinary ways, with childlike joy—which is another way of referring to one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: wonder and awe. We are released from sin and anxiety to receive the peace which only Christ can give. We become a people of gratitude. Our intentions, words and deeds—our very lives—are a blessing to others.
