How God Works with Holy People

Sr. M. Iohanna Paruch was speaking to our catechetics class about Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, OSB.

While a Benedictine monk, Fr. Buechlein, he was asked to become a bishop and humbly said that he would not take on such a duty. Some time later, while staying at a hotel while on a trip, he answered the phone, "Fr. Buechlein, how may I help you?"

"Hello Fr. Buechlein, this is the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. I'm calling to inform you that your vow of obedience has been transferred to the Holy Father, your vow of poverty has been dissolved so that you may serve the poor, and your vow of chastity...well, you can keep that. You're the new Bishop of Memphis."

Undoubtedly the good bishop was stunned. God had just completely overrided his humble will. When we are humble, it is easier for God to override our wills and place our lives along His own path. When we are proud, we resist.

Just because a man is humble doesn't mean he won't have his will corrected; in fact, the humble man will find himself far more often vetoed than the arrogant man.