Episode 2585: The Wisdom of Tears and Trust in God's Providence - Nightly Episode

O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received
from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have
committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed
Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear
Guardian Angel, and all you saints of God, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor
sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen.”
The Wisdom of Tears and Trust in God's Providence
Tonight, we reflect on two powerful quotes:
"There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried." — St. Oscar Romero
"You cannot always depend on prayers to be answered the way you want them answered, but you can always depend on God... Someday we will thank God not only for what He gave us, but also for that which He refused." — Fulton J. Sheen
These quotes direct us toward a deeper understanding of suffering, trust, and the mystery of God’s will. As Catholics, we know that sorrow, prayer, and the cross are not meaningless burdens but pathways to grace. Through suffering, we are purified, made more like Christ, and invited to place all our hope in God's providence.
The Hidden Wisdom in Tears
St. Oscar Romero’s quote points to a profound truth: there is a knowledge that only comes through suffering. This resonates with the Catholic teaching that suffering can become redemptive when united with Christ’s own Passion. As St. Paul writes in Colossians 1:24, "I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ."
Tears open the soul to new depths, allowing us to perceive God's presence in ways we might otherwise overlook. Our Blessed Mother, standing at the foot of the Cross, saw beyond the physical suffering of her Son. Her tears were not merely expressions of grief but an act of profound faith, seeing God’s plan even in the midst of darkness.
The same is true for us. We often ask, “Why me?” or “Why now?” Yet through the pain, God reveals deeper truths about Himself, about us, and about the love He pours into every situation. As Catholics, we are called to embrace tears as tools of purification, not as signs of defeat. They are a language of the heart that can bring us closer to Christ and His Sacred Heart, which itself was pierced for us.
Trusting God in Unanswered Prayers
Fulton Sheen’s wisdom reminds us that God is a Father whose love surpasses our understanding. We may ask for things we believe are good, but as Sheen points out, a loving father knows when to deny requests that would ultimately harm us.
Jesus teaches this same truth in Matthew 7:11, saying, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” This reminds us that even when God’s answer is “no” or “not yet,” it is an expression of His perfect wisdom and love.
Think of the example of Our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prayed, “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done” (Luke 22:42). God’s will was not to spare Him the suffering of the Cross, but to bring about the salvation of the world through it. Likewise, God’s answers to our prayers may not align with our desires, but they will always lead us to the ultimate good union with Him.
As Catholics, we must cultivate the humility to trust in God’s providence, thanking Him not only for the gifts He gives but also for the crosses He permits. In time, we will come to see that even the unanswered prayers were expressions of His mercy.
Living in the Light of Trust and Faith
When life is hard and prayers seem unanswered, how do we keep faith alive? The answer lies in embracing the teachings of the Church and relying on the sacraments, particularly the Eucharist. It is in the Eucharist that we receive the strength to persevere and the grace to conform our will to God’s.
We also turn to the saints and Our Lady for intercession. Mary, the perfect model of trust, teaches us how to say “yes” to God even when we don’t fully understand His plan. St. Therese of Lisieux also reminds us of this childlike trust, saying, “Everything is grace.”
It is important to remember that suffering and unanswered prayers are not signs of God’s absence but of His invitation to a deeper relationship with Him. Through them, He draws us out of ourselves and into His divine life.
Conclusion:
In the words of St. Oscar Romero, "There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried." And Fulton Sheen adds, “Someday we will thank God not only for what He gave us, but also for that which He refused.” These truths invite us to trust God in all things, knowing that His will is perfect even when we don’t fully understand it.
Let us leave here today with renewed faith, ready to accept the joys and sorrows of life with gratitude, knowing that God is with us every step of the way.
Closing Prayer:
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your love and mercy, even when Your ways are beyond our understanding. Teach us to trust You fully, knowing that everything You allow in our lives is for our good and Your glory.
Jesus, we unite our tears and unanswered prayers to Yours in Gethsemane. Grant us the grace to say, "Thy will be done," even when the road is difficult.
Blessed Mother, Comforter of the Afflicted, pray for us in our trials. Help us to see God’s hand at work even in the darkest moments, and lead us ever closer to Your Son.
We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
St. Oscar Romero, pray for us.
Fulton Sheen, intercede for us.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.