You have probably heard about William Tell, and you probably remember that William Tell, in order to prove his aim, hit an apple with a shot from his crossbow that was three hundred feet away from him, on the head of his son.
However, you may not remember why this happened. Albrecht Gessler, the governor of Altdorf, Switzerland, raised a pole in the village, hung his hat on top of it, and demanded that all the townsfolk bow before it. Tell did not bow, and therefore was arrested. Gessler wanted to have a little fun with him. He offered to save his life if he would shoot an apple off the head of his son Walter in a single attempt.
While Tell was doubting about doing this, his son took the apple and said: “my father will do it”. He walked a hundred paces away from his father and said: “go ahead father, I will be waiting for your arrow without fear.” And in addition, he did not allow the soldiers to tie him, “do not worry, I am not afraid, I will not move.” Then William shot the arrow and split the apple.
Why did Walter behave in that way? His father had given him enough proof of his good aim, so that he had no doubt about him not missing the shot. Confidence, as St. Thomas says, means expecting something “because one gives credence to another’s words promising help” (II-II, 129, 6). This is precisely the basis of confidence, which in turn is the basis of every human relationship: the concept we have of the person we must trust, and whether that person is worthy of my trust or not.
Speaking of supernatural trust, or trust in God, if we do not trust God, the problem lies within us, because God is supremely trustworthy. In other words: why must we trust in God our Father? Because God is good, infinitely good, and desires nothing but what is good for us. The greatest proof that He desires what is good for us is Jesus Christ, as St. Paul says: He who did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him? (Rom 8:32).
Thus, when we find ourselves in a situation that seems difficult or even harmful to us—such as your father shooting an arrow at your head, like Walter Tell—we must be convinced, as Walter was, that God will not allow any evil unless to draw a greater good from it, as St. Paul says: We know that all things work for good for those who love God (Rom 8:28). We must be convinced that no adversity can overcome our strength, because God will not allow that; and if He does allow adversity, He gives us the necessary grace to overcome it, as He told St. Paul: My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9).
