Choose a topic from Part 1:
1. We observe an unfailing order in the world. Order involves anorderer, a governor. In an earlier part of our study we saw thatthings in the world have existence and direction to their end orpurpose by the divine goodness. Therefore, divine goodness governsthe world.
2. The universe is not an end unto itself. It iscontingent being, not necessary being; it has being or goodness byparticipation. Hence it comes from a cause other than itself, andis directed to an end other than itself. It is directed or governedby the necessary being, the necessary goodness, the divinegoodness. That is, the universe is made to express and manifest thedivine goodness.
3. Ultimately, the world has one governor, not manygovernors. The harmony of the universe manifests this fact.Besides, there is only one divine goodness.
4. The effects of government in the world may be variouslyconsidered. In so far as all creatures are to manifest the divinegoodness, the effect of government is one. In so far as creaturesare divinely governed so as to be good and to dogood, the effect of government is twofold. In so far as the effectsof government are discerned in a vast multitude of individualcreatures, the effect of government is manifold.
5. All things are subject to the divine government, sincethis is the divine goodness of God himself. The divine goodness isboth the first effecting cause and the ultimate final cause (orultimate goal) of everything. No positive being can exist withoutthe divine goodness, and therefore everything, in particular and insingular as well as in general, is governed by the same divinegoodness.
6. God alone designs the government of the universe, andthis is his providence. The design is carried intoexecution or actual governing operation through use of secondarycauses (creatures) as media or means of governing.
7. Since God is the first and universal cause, nothing inthe universe can lie outside the order of his government. Whensomething seems to evade divine government, the very cause of theseeming evasion will be found in the divine government itself. Aswe saw in our study of divine providence, nothing whatever isoutside the divine rule.
8. Nothing can resist the general order of divinegovernment. Even a sinner in his act of sin aims at apparent good;it is good that the sinner is after, although he perversely seeksit in the wrong place. Sin is against God's law and will, butit cannot upset the general order of divine government. And, out ofevil God draws good, "ordering all things pleasingly," ashe "moves from end to end mightily."
"If, devout soul, it is your will to please God and live a life of serenity in this world, unite yourself always and in all things to the divine will. Reflect that all the sins of your past wicked life happened because you wandered from the path of God's will. For the future, embrace God's good pleasure and say to him in every happening: "Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight." "
St Alphonsus de Liguori
* * *
"A tree that is cultivated and guarded through the care of its owner produces its fruit at the expected time.
"
St John of the Cross, OCD - Doctor of the Church
* * *
"Lord, here burn, here cut, and dry up in me all that hinders me from going to You, that You may spare me in eternity."
St Louis Bertrand
* * *