b'NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE, continuedSeminarian David DesPresSeeing God in the Midst of the UnexpectedFr. James A. Wehner, Archbishop Gregory J. Hartmayer, Seminarian David Depres, Fr. Gerardo CeballosWhen was the most surprised you have evered, in all of our trials, we must seek God first. been? What event completely swept you off ofThismeansthatwhenweareoverwhelmed, your feet, changed your world, and complete- when the unexpected occurs, we turn to prayer, lychangedeverythingyouthoughtanddid?we turn to God. We grab the rosary beads ever Maybe it was the birth of your first child, thepresent in our pockets and ask our Mother to be death of a parent, an injury or illness, or the yearwith us. We also take care of the practical things two-thousand twenty A.D. Whatever it was, orthat need to be done, those are important as is, we have all been overcome, overwhelmed.well. Nevertheless, as Knights we must be men The real question is, what did we do with that? who will rely on God first, who will seek first his As Knights of Columbus we are men of Char- kingdom, who will not rely on their own strength ity, Unity, and Fraternity. We are tasked with thein times of trouble. By doing so we open our-responsibility to pray the rosary, and the duty ofselves to the power of Jesus, who promised he providing for the Church and those in need. Butwho believes in me will also do the works that when times are difficult, when the unexpectedI do; and greater works than these will he do happens, what is our first response? For many(John 14:12). We rely on Mary, who intercedes of us, it is probably something like damage con- with her Son, Jesus, who stands forever at the trol, attempting to get a grasp on the situation.right hand of the Father interceding for us. It is Keep everything in front, dont panic, figure outthis power that we want to bring into the world, what is wrong. It is only when we reach a stateinto darkness, into the unexpected.of helplessness that the difficult feelings real- I continue to be challenged in seminary fre-ly set in. But as practical Catholic men, shouldquently to do this; I am not exempt from the that be our first instinct? Is that the right firstunexpected.Theworkofpriestlyformation step? challenges me daily to rely on Jesus and to truly Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious aboutenter into relationship with him whenever I am your life, what you shall eat or what you shallchallenged, whenever difficulties arise. But it is drink, nor about your body, what you shall putthrough this struggle that we slowly give our-on. But seek first his kingdom and his righteous- selves over to the Father, and we see, often only ness, and all these things shall be yours as wellwith time and in hindsight, the great works of (Matt 6:25, 31; RSV-CE). In all of the unexpect- God in the midst of the unexpected.107'