Page:Anecdotescatechi00spiruoft.djvu/58

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to forget my bag of pearls that I might, by returning to the spot where I left them, be instrumental in saving your life.” God does truly dispose of events in a wonderful manner.

Q. Can God do all things?

A. God can do all things, and nothing is hard or impossible to Him.

A Spiper’s Web Saves a Man’s Life

It is a divine prerogative to render assistance when need is greatest, by employing the most insignificant means. The saintly priest Felix of Nola (+ 310), when flying from his enemies whose purpose was to put him to torture, sought shelter in a hollow place formed by a ruined wall. No sooner had he concealed himself there than a spider spun a web over the hole through which he had crept into his hiding-place. When his pursuers came up, they were going to search the cavity, but on perceiving the spider’s web they desisted, as they deemed it impossible that any one could have taken refuge there. Thus God knows how to make use of the humblest, simplest instruments to effect His purposes without working a miracle. This is beautifully expressed by St. Paulinus: ‘‘ When God helps us, a spider’s web becomes a protecting wall; without His help, a wall is no more protection than a spider’s web.”

Q. Is God just, holy, and merciful?

A. God is all just, all holy, all merciful, as He is infinitely perfect.