Reflection by: Bernard
My Will or God’s Will – Day 9 – AREZZO REGION/PADUA
#sequelachristi2025
Today’s Gospel, Matthew 18:12–14, tells the parable of the one lost sheep—the sheep that brings the shepherd more joy than the ninety-nine who did not stray. This felt especially meaningful because we were celebrating Mass at the Basilica of St. Anthony, who is widely known as the patron saint of lost and found.
From the homily, I learned that a key paradigm of Franciscan spirituality is not centered on the ninety-nine, but on the one. I realized how often our parishes and ministries tend to focus on those who are already in the fold, which is necessary and an efficient use of resources. However, the Franciscan approach is not just about efficiency; it is also about compassion for the one who is lost, the one who needs greater care. For example, St. Francis himself reached out to those who were most marginalized, such as the lepers, those considered “lost” by society.
This struck close to my heart because I’ve always felt a strong desire to reach out to non-Catholics, to those who may be far from the Church. This is probably due to my background as a Catholic convert, having lived a part of my life without the love and grace of God. For me, bringing a non-Catholic to church feels like bringing a lost sheep back to the flock. It fills me with a tremendous, indescribable joy.
I also carry the hope that any one of these “lost sheep” could become a deeply zealous believer, much like St. Paul, who after his dramatic conversion became one of the greatest missionaries of the early Church. Who knows? That one person we reach out to might someday bring many more souls back to Christ.
Another key point raised by Fr. JP was about our will versus God’s will. Good or bad often depends on how we see things. When events happen in our lives, who can truly say whether they are good or bad? We are invited to trust in divine providence, to place our lives in God’s plan, and to allow His hand to unfold our story, rather than insisting on determining it ourselves.
Fr. JP mentioned several powerful examples. St. Anthony wanted to go to Morocco to preach and was even ready to risk becoming a martyr. Yet this was not God’s will for him. He fell ill, and on his journey home his ship was blown off course and wrecked in Sicily. This unexpected detour eventually led him to Italy, where he became renowned as a great preacher. Similarly, St. Francis initially thought God was asking him to rebuild one small, broken chapel. But by surrendering his own expectations and following God’s will, he ultimately helped renew the entire Church.
Often, when I share about the Catholic faith with others, I receive negative responses that frustrate or disappoint me. These experiences can be demoralizing. But after reflecting on the homily, I realize that perhaps the invitation for me is to trust the Lord—that these people may one day seek God in the Catholic Church, and that this is beyond my control.
Recently, I also came across news of Catholic churches being vandalized and burned, and Christians in other countries being persecuted or even killed. In the face of such suffering, I often feel helpless. All I can do is pray, trust in divine providence, and believe that God’s will continues to work even in situations where I cannot intervene.
