“Don’t Worry — God Will Take Care Those Left Behind”

Some 40+ years ago my father-in-law would wonder and worry “how in the world Judy and I would be able to raise a large family in this crazy world …..how could we provide for them in a world that was on a downhill slope.” Some 20 years later I remember a friend who was many years older than me wondering and worrying about his kids who were in the midst of beginning to raise their family; sure he had done it, but he wasn’t sure if his kids could do it.  As I get older I can tend to do the same thing …. ”how are they going to survive in this crazy world?” 

Maybe it’s a “father thing”. Fathers (good fathers at least) are always looking to provide for their family, looking to make sure that their family has what they need to survive and have a good life. It’s not uncommon to hear today, “what’s it going to be like for our kids and grandkids in this world that seems to be disintegrating”.  To be honest, I can tend to worry at times. 

I recently read the farewell letter from Blessed Nikolaus Gross, a German husband, father, and journalist, to his wife and children. He was executed by the Nazis for his outspoken resistance. 

“Most dearly beloved Mother; you dear, sweet children all: this letter, if it reaches your hands, will inform you that the Lord has called me….there is still so much I wanted to do for you.  I have prayed daily that the Lord may give you and me strength to take upon ourselves patiently and humbly whatever he has decreed or sanctioned in respect to us. And I perceive what calm and quiet this prayer has brought….. Sometimes during the long months of my imprisonment I have worried about what would become of you when I could no longer be with you. I have long since realized that your fate does not depend on me. If it is God’s will that I should no longer be with you, then indeed he has some other aid ready for you that will work without me.”  (Magnificat, Jan. 15, 2024, p.211)

I think Blessed Nikolaus Gross hit it on the head. My future and the future of those we love doesn’t rest on our shoulders. Certainly we have a role to play, but “I have long since realized that your fate does not depend on me. If it is God’s will that I should no longer be with you, then indeed he has some other aid ready for you that will work without me.” It’s the Lord that cares for each of us. As we surrender our lives to the Lord, he will take care of our every need. The Holy Spirit will empower and defend and teach us in every situation we find ourselves. When we are in trouble, God will be there for us. When we are ready to take our last breath, it’s our Lord Jesus who will be there for you and me and for our children and grandchildren.

I frequently pray this prayer of Joseph, the foster father of Jesus: “Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.” 

We may be “long gone” when our children and grandchildren face difficult trials in their life on this earth, but the Holy Spirit won’t be “long gone” and the saints of God, the “Church Triumphant”, won’t be long gone… they will be praying for all the church militant still fighting the good fight of faith on this earth. And I pray and hope that you and I will be part of that Church Triumphant in heaven also praying for all our loved ones on the earth.  

So let’s not worry about those left behind when God calls us home. Let’s serve the Lord now with all our heart and look for the day when we will all be united one day in heaven. And that will be the eternal day of celebration where there is no more worry and “each new day is better than the last”. Yes, this is the good news.