Opening Prayer
Lord, I reject the cobwebs of the philosophers who imagine the universe arose from blind atoms or the mere collision of elements. I behold the intelligent Cause who presided at the birth of the heavens and the earth, and I confess that nothing is given up to chance. Thou art the Architect who enlightenest our understanding through the very name of God.
I petition Thee for a spirit that recognizes Thy governance in every movement of the stars and every breath of my life. Grant me the grace to never fall into the inherent atheism of the world, but to stand firm on the foundation that Thou art the Creator who rules with wisdom and order.
Amen.
Matthew 25:1-13
1Then shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps went out to meet the bridegroom and the bride. 2And five of them were foolish, and five wise. 3But the five foolish, having taken their lamps, did not take oil with them: 4But the wise took oil in their vessels with the lamps. 5And the bridegroom tarrying, they all slumbered and slept. 6And at midnight there was a cry made: Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye forth to meet him. 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise: Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out. 9The wise answered, saying: Lest perhaps there be not enough for us and for you, go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. 10Now whilst they went to buy, the bridegroom came: and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. 11But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. 12But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. 13Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.
St. Basil
St. Basil refutes the “inherent atheism” of those who believe the world is governed by “chance” or “atoms.” He insists that to believe “nothing governed or ruled” is a “sad error.” This Church Father perspective anchors our Liturgical praise. In the Mystical Body, we recognize that God “nourishes and perfects” the creation He called forth from nothingness. This Creator is the same Lord who “transformed” our nature in Baptism. Our existence is a “wonderful dwelling place” governed by His Divine Will.
Basil strikes at the “folly” of explaining nature without God. He finds the account in Genesis to be “enlightenment” for our understanding, contrasting the “spider’s web” of materialist theories with the firm truth that in the beginning God created.
“Deceived by their inherent atheism, it appeared to them that nothing governed or ruled the universe, and that all was given up to chance… ‘In the beginning God created.'”
— St. Basil
Mary and the Magisterium
Mary is the “Mother of the recreated world”. As God is the “Father of the created world,” she is the mother through whom it was given new life. The Magisterium, through the Bishop, “preserves the unity” of the faith in the Creator. The Bishop teaches “universally and completely” the doctrines of the Universal Church, ensuring we do not fall into purely material principles. Mary’s “yes” allowed the Creator to enter His creation as its Redeemer.
- Do I sometimes live as if things are "given up to chance"?
- How can I practice recognizing God’s "ruling and governing" in the small events of my day?
Closing Prayer
Creator of the universe, my Creator, your providence guides all things. Help me to recognize every day my dependence on you.
Amen.
