Having created the universe with all its forces, and having made man master of his decisions and destined him to the life of the family and of society, God of necessity wills the interplay of cause and effect, he wills to permit good and evil according to the normal course of events. This evil can be either physical (such as sickness, suffering, death) or moral. Moral deficiencies are to be found everywhere, in us and outside of us. Even in the bosom of the Church of Christ there has been much wrong-doing, and wrong-doing there will be till the end of time. So great is the wretchedness of men that they deface the work of God by their mistakes, their illusions, their weaknesses, and their passions. If we want to sanctify ourselves we must adapt ourselves to the order of things permitted by Providence. We must accept from the hand of God the present, and all the effort required for our daily work, our responsibilities, the defects and wrong headedness of those near to us, the annoyance and suffering of ill-health.
DOM IDESBALD RYELANDT, OSB Union With Christ
