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The following was written by St. John Henry Newman. It appeared in the popular periodical Magnificat recently. I encourage all of us to ponder the saints words and take them to heart.
Who are you?
God has created me to do Him some definite service. He has committed some work to me which He has not committed to another. I have my mission. I may never know it in this life, but I shall be told it in the next. Somehow, I am necessary for His purposes, as necessary in my place as an archangel in His – if, indeed I fail, God can raise another, as He could make the stones children of Abraham. Yet I have a part in this great work; I am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons.
He has not created me for naught. I shall do good; I shall do His work. I shall be an angel of peace, a preacher of truth in my own place, while not intending it if I do but keep His commandments and serve Him in my calling.
Therefore, I will trust Him, whatever I am, I can never be thrown away. If I am in sickness, my sickness may serve Him, in perplexity, my perplexity may serve Him. If I am in sorrow, my sorrow may serve Him. My sickness or perplexity or sorrow may be necessary causes of some great end which is quite beyond us.
He does nothing in vain. He may prolong my life; He may shorten it. He knows what He is about. He may take away my friends. He may throw me among strangers. He may make me feel desolate, make my spirits sink, hide my future from me. Still, He knows what He is about. O Adonai, O Ruler of Israel, You who guide Joseph like a flock, O Emmanuel, O Sapientia, I give myself to You.
I trust You wholly. You are wiser than I – more loving to me than I am to myself. Deign to fulfill Your high purposes in me – whatever they may be – work in and through me. I am born to serve You, to be Yours, to be Your instrument. Let me be Your blind instrument. I ask not to see. I ask not to know. I ask simply to be used.
Saint John Henry Newman
From Magnificat Dec. 13, 2020
Joseph Strickland
Bishop Joseph E. Strickland was named the fourth bishop of Tyler in September of 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI. Prior to being named bishop, he served a number of roles in the diocese, including vicar general, judicial vicar, and pastor of the Cathedral parish. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1985. 