God’s will, on Earth as in heaven

The summer is normally a time for rest and relaxation. But one question that has been coming to me lately is how can Christians find true rest, serenity of heart from fear, when we face human and natural tragedies.

As I prayed for the victims of the Lac Megantic rail disaster and many others who lost their homes and livelihood in recent floods in Calgary and Toronto, I contemplated how faith could help us make sense of unexpected tragedies. One practical approach recommended by many saints is that we not think of evils that might happen in the future or be haunted by past tragedies. Rather, we should make every day count by making good choices that reflect our faith and replicate the priorities and practices of Christ in everything we do or say.

Pope Francis in his recent encyclical, Light of Faith, invites all Catholics to allow the light of faith to illumine every aspect of life, especially the doubts, idols, fears, anxieties and pains that limit our full embrace of God’s love...