Trust in the Lord in uncertain times

This last August I began my seminary formation for the Diocese of Fargo. I was sent out to Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. Like many new seminarians, I was nervous but also excited starting my formation to the priesthood. I was ready to start classes and meet my new classmates, but most of all I just wanted to get used to the routine of seminary life. After some time, I found that routine, but that was about to be challenged for me.

Like everyone, my life has recently been changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. After some deliberation, the seminary staff decided to send home all the seminarians around the middle of March to continue formation online. This presented us with a completely new set of challenges and questions. Where are we going to live? How are formation and meetings going to take place? Will I be able to take part in some form of recreation? Will I be able to pray well? Many of these questions had no immediate answer, and I felt like a fish out of water.

One thing this pandemic has made me realize is how dependent we truly are on God’s graces. If something as small as a virus can change how our country operates, how much more do we need God’s grace not only to live but to live a life pleasing to God? Human life can be fragile at times, and we can clearly see that at this time. We can try our best to prevent the sufferings that this life can bring, but ultimately God is the one in control, not us.

If there is one blessing that I am receiving because of all this, it’s that God is teaching me how to let him be in control and to trust him. I’ve realized there is little that I can control in this situation, and that I just need to let go and let God do his thing. It upset me that the only thing I could do was sit and wait for answers on God’s timing.

As I have been praying about this in my life, I have been reflecting often on how Mary’s plans were greatly changed by God, particularly her flight into Egypt with Jesus and Joseph. Mary trusted God to become the mother of Jesus, but shortly after Jesus’s birth, she was challenged again. Mary didn’t get to go to a nice home in a nice community to raise Jesus. Instead, she is sent across a desert with Joseph and the newborn Jesus to Egypt to flee from King Herod’s wrath, all due to a dream that Joseph received. Mary must have had many questions as well. “Where in Egypt are we going to stay? What route are we going to take? Will we be safe? Where will we get food and water?” Despite her anxieties, she continued to trust our Lord throughout all of this, and that is why Mary is a great example for all of us during these unknown times.

God sure seems to have a way of giving us what we need when we need it, but not any bit too early. This has been the case for me lately. And although it can be painful at times, it has been very necessary for me to grow to trust our Lord more. I think it is particularly important for us to turn to Mary for her intercession during these unknown times. She will certainly help us grow closer to her son.