Abandonment to Divine Providence: Day 3~Ch 3-4

Catholic Audiobook in a Month Podcast

Welcome to the third day of Abandonment to Divine Providence, by Father Jean-Pierre de Caussade. Today we will read Chapters 3 and 4. The teachings unfold in two primary dimensions: the active dimension, which requires our diligent adherence to the obligations imposed by God and the Church, and the passive dimension that calls us to embrace the divine flow of each moment.

In Chapter 3, Fr. de Caussade emphasizes that the pursuit of sanctity becomes less daunting when viewed through the lens of this fidelity to God's order. The obstacles we perceive in our spiritual journey often stem from a misunderstanding of what sanctity truly entails. Fidelity to God's commands, he argues, is achievable by all persons, regardless of their strength or circumstances. The active part of sanctity involves fulfilling our specific duties, while the passive component is about embracing what God ordains for us, represented by our circumstances at any given moment. Fr. de Caussade reassures us that God's requirements are not burdensome; rather, they invite us to exercise a simple good will in our lives.

Moving into Chapter 4, we transition toward a deeper exploration of perfection, which does not reside in acquiring knowledge about God's order but rather in our willing submission to it. Perfection is unveiled as the faithful cooperation with God as He seeks to mold our souls to reflect His goodness. The chapter presents a compelling contrast between theoretical knowledge and genuine lived experience of God's will. Theologians may articulate the principles of divine grace, yet it is the humble, faith-filled soul that experiences the transformative work of God most profoundly. Fr. de Caussade asserts that theoretical speculations on sanctification can obscure the simple, life-giving acts of faith we are called to embrace daily.