Episode 1892: Surrendering to Divine Will: Embracing God's Presence Within and Without

Surrendering to Divine Will: Embracing God's Presence Within and Without
We delve deep into the timeless wisdom of spiritual masters to find guidance for our modern lives. We embark on a profound journey inspired by the words of two revered figures: St. Gabriel Possenti and Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet.
Before we go into this lets explain who these two Men were.
St. Gabriel Possenti, also known as St. Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows, was born Francesco Possenti on March 1, 1838, in Assisi, Italy. He was the eleventh of thirteen children in a devout Catholic family. From a young age, Francesco showed signs of piety and a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In 1856, at the age of 18, Francesco experienced a profound spiritual conversion during a procession in honor of the Virgin Mary. Inspired by this encounter, he decided to dedicate his life to God and joined the Passionist Order, taking the name Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows.

Throughout his religious life, St. Gabriel demonstrated extraordinary virtue, particularly in his practice of humility, obedience, and self-denial. He was known for his deep prayer life, penances, and devotion to the sufferings of Christ and Mary.

St. Gabriel's life was marked by a commitment to serving others, especially the sick and the poor. He spent much of his time caring for the sick during outbreaks of cholera and ministering to the poor in his community.

One notable event in St. Gabriel's life occurred when he miraculously saved the village of Isola del Gran Sasso from a band of mercenaries by confronting them fearlessly. It is said that his courage and presence alone caused the aggressors to flee, earning him the title "The Patron Saint of Handgunners."

St. Gabriel Possenti died on February 27, 1862, at the young age of 23, after contracting tuberculosis. He was canonized as a saint by Pope Benedict XV in 1920. St. Gabriel is remembered for his exemplary life of holiness, his unwavering faith, and his dedication to serving God and others. He is honored as a patron saint of students, young people, and those seeking relief from handgun violence.
St. Gabriel Possenti once said, "I will attempt day by day to break my will into pieces. I want to do God’s Holy Will, not my own." His words echo the sentiment of surrendering one's desires to embrace the divine plan. But how do we achieve such profound surrender?
Let's unpack these teachings further. St. Gabriel Possenti invites us to break our will day by day, recognizing that true fulfillment lies in aligning ourselves with God's will. It's a journey of humility, where we relinquish control and trust in the divine wisdom that surpasses our understanding.
St. Gabriel's declaration can be understood as an expression of his desire to align his own desires and actions with the divine will, recognizing that God's plan is ultimately superior to his own limited understanding. It reflects a willingness to relinquish personal ambitions, preferences, and attachments in order to embrace God's purposes for his life.

In traditional Catholic teaching, the process of "breaking" one's will into pieces can be seen as a form of spiritual discipline aimed at overcoming the tendency towards self-centeredness and sin. Through prayer, penance, and obedience to God's commandments, Catholics seek to subdue their own selfish inclinations and submit themselves entirely to the will of God.

St. Gabriel's words also echo the sentiments of other revered saints and spiritual masters within the Catholic tradition, such as St. Ignatius of Loyola, who famously prayed, "Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O Lord, I return it."
Ultimately, St. Gabriel Possenti's statement serves as a reminder to Catholics of the importance of surrendering oneself completely to God's providence, trusting in His wisdom and guidance even in times of uncertainty or difficulty. It underscores the belief that true freedom and fulfillment are found not in pursuing one's own desires, but in wholeheartedly embracing the will of God.
Enter Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, whose strong reflection guides us deeper into the heart of this spiritual practice.
Now who was Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet? He was born on September 27, 1627, in Dijon, France, into a family of nobility. He received a thorough education, displaying exceptional intellectual abilities from a young age. Bossuet studied theology at the University of Paris and was ordained as a priest in 1652.
He was as a brilliant preacher and theologian. He became a prominent figure in the Catholic Church and was appointed as the Bishop of Condom in 1669, later becoming the Bishop of Meaux in 1681.

Throughout his life, Bossuet played a significant role in the French Catholic Church and was known for his staunch defense of Catholic doctrine against Protestantism and other theological challenges of his time.
One of Bossuet's most famous works is "Discours sur l'histoire universelle" (Discourse on Universal History), in which he outlines his views on the divine providence shaping the course of human history. He also wrote "Exposition de la doctrine de l'Église catholique sur les matières de controverse" (Exposition of the Catholic Doctrine), a comprehensive defense of Catholic teachings.
Bossuet's served as a trusted advisor to King Louis XIV. He played a significant role in the education of Louis XIV's son, the Dauphin.
Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet passed away on April 12, 1704, Bossuet is remembered as a preeminent theologian, orator, and defender of the Catholic faith.
At now what about what he said?
He said:
“God sees you in secret. Know that he sees into your very depths, infinitely farther than you do yourself. Make a simple, lively act of faith in his presence. Christian soul, place yourself entirely under his gaze. He is very near. He is present, for he gives being and motion to all things. Yet you must believe more; you must believe with a lively faith that he is present to you by giving you all of your good thoughts from within, as holding in his hand the source from which they come, and not only the good thoughts, but also whatever good desires, good resolutions, and every good act of the will, from its very first beginning and birth to its final perfection. Believe, too, that he is in the souls of the just, and that he makes his dwelling there within, according to these words of the Lord: ‘We will come to him and make our home with him’ (John 14:23). He is there in a stable and permanent way: he makes his home there. Desire that he should be in you in this way. Offer yourself to him as his dwelling and temple. Now come out, and with the same faith that enables you to see him within you, look upon him in Heaven, where he manifests himself to his beloved. It is there that he awaits you. Run. Fly. Break your chains; break all the bonds that tie you down to flesh and blood. O God, when shall I see you? When will I have that pure heart that enables you to be seen, in yourself, outside of yourself, everywhere? O Light that enlightens the world! O Life that gives life to all the living! O Truth that feeds us all! O Good that satisfies us all! O Love that binds all together! I praise you, my heavenly Father, who sees me in secret.”
From a traditional Catholic perspective, Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet's statement emphasizes the omnipresence and intimate knowledge of God, as well as the importance of living in constant awareness of His presence. Let's break down the interpretation:

"God sees you in secret": This echoes the teachings of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew (6:6), where He instructs His followers to pray in secret, knowing that God sees what is done in secret and rewards openly. It emphasizes the idea that God is intimately aware of our innermost thoughts, feelings, and intentions, even those hidden from others.

"Know that he sees into your very depths, infinitely farther than you do yourself": This highlights the omniscience of God, His knowledge extending beyond surface-level understanding to the depths of our being. It underscores the idea that God's understanding surpasses our own self-awareness, and He knows us better than we know ourselves.

"Make a simple, lively act of faith in his presence": This suggests the importance of faith in acknowledging and experiencing God's presence. Even in the simplicity of our belief, we can encounter the living presence of God in our lives.

"Christian soul, place yourself entirely under his gaze": This calls for surrendering oneself completely to God's gaze, acknowledging His sovereignty and authority over our lives. It reflects the traditional Catholic emphasis on obedience and submission to the will of God.

"He is there in a stable and permanent way: he makes his home there": This speaks to the indwelling presence of God within the souls of the just, a concept rooted in Catholic theology. It echoes the words of Jesus in the Gospel of John (14:23), where He promises to make His home with those who love Him.

"Now come out, and with the same faith that enables you to see him within you, look upon him in Heaven": This encourages believers to transcend earthly limitations and fix their gaze upon God in heaven, where He is fully revealed in His glory. It urges believers to seek union with God and strive for spiritual perfection.

Bossuet's statement reflects traditional Catholic teachings on the omnipresence, omniscience, and intimate relationship of God with His creation. It encourages believers to live in constant awareness of God's presence, surrender to His will, and seek union with Him in both the depths of their souls and the heights of heaven.

Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet reminds us that God sees us in secret, knowing us more intimately than we know ourselves. With unwavering faith, we can perceive God's presence within us, guiding our thoughts, desires, and actions towards goodness.
Bossuet urges us to cultivate a vibrant faith in God's omnipresence (God being present everywhere at all times). He calls us to envision God dwelling within us, shaping our innermost being, and also beckoning us to His heavenly abode.
This dual awareness of St. Gabriel Possenti and Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet of God's immanence and transcendence ignites a fervent longing within us, compelling us to break free from earthly limitations and soar towards divine communion.
So, how do we practically apply these teachings in our daily lives? It begins with a conscious decision to surrender our will to God's, trusting that His plans are far grander than our own. Through prayer, meditation, and reflection, we cultivate a deeper awareness of God's presence within us, allowing His light to illuminate our path and His love to infuse every aspect of our being.

So let's embrace the wisdom of St. Gabriel Possenti and Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, striving each day to break free from the shackles of our ego and surrendering ourselves wholeheartedly to the divine will. For in this surrender, we find true liberation and fulfillment beyond measure.
Until next time, may you walk in the light of God's love and find peace in His eternal presence. Now go out and convert somebody during lent.