I recently received an e-mail from a friend with a flyer attached advertising an upcoming event. The headline of the flyer read, “Are you seeking to live more deeply with a greater sense of purpose?” The subtitle in smaller print asked, “Will you help transform the world through love and service—and be willing to change in the process?”
I will admit that these two questions made me pause for a few moments of reflection. After all, isn’t it natural to yearn for a greater sense of purpose? The question that was actively bouncing around in my head was centered more on the aspect of what it means to live more deeply. What would living more deeply actually look like in my own life? How do I get there? What will it cost me? Will it hurt?
Transforming the world through love and service seems like a lofty ideal. Isn’t that reserved for just a few folks like Mother Teresa and others we have canonized as saints? Furthermore, what do you mean by asking me if I am willing to change in the process? It sounds like you are asking me to move out of my comfort zone, and that is a little intimidating.
Obviously, we are all called to holiness. We are called to transform the world through love and service, and once again, that begins with experiencing conversion in our own lives. We are invited to change, to grow, and to be intimately united with our God. It is an invitation waiting for our RSVP. Will we accept the call to enter into a deeper relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords?
The questions asked by the flyer are still fermenting in my mind even now several days later. Watching the news on TV and reading about world events on the internet has darkened my mind and I can’t seem to lose some of the images. It is appalling to see the atrocities going on in our world. Where is charity? Where is kindness? Could we have a little honesty? How can human beings treat others so viciously?
There are two things that have been repeatedly keeping me awake at night—the Gosnell trial and the rescue of the three young women (and the child) in Cleveland who had been held captive in unimaginable circumstances. Gosnell snipped the necks of babies after they were born because his job was to kill the child. The other guy impregnates his captive and then starves her and beats her in the stomach to kill the child she has conceived—and allegedly repeats this process at least five different times. My heart breaks for these women and all the others that have experienced similar tragedies. My heart aches for the family members of other missing individuals as they hold onto hope for their own miracle.
The precious gift of life has been diminished in a multitude of ways in our society. Contraception was supposed to eliminate unwanted pregnancies. Instead, abortions have skyrocketed since contraception has become readily available. The sexual revolution of the 60’s has brought us booming industries in pornography, contraception, and abortions. The emotional, physical, and spiritual wounds generated by these industries are incalculable. In so many instances, women have paid a high price for what some have touted as liberation.
As I moved from reading information on pro-life websites and went to secular sites, there was other news less disturbing, but still shocking. An elaborate scam where thieves steal 45 million dollars from ATM machines captures headlines. Wow!
The attack in Benghazi is back in the news after many months because we still don’t know what actually happened. The hearings beg the question, “Could we have some honesty?” Can the family members of the slain victims be given closure by at least giving them the truth? What does it take for our elected officials to stop being politicians constantly seeking re-election and start being statesmen? Could we just do the right thing?
When winning becomes the top priority of elected and appointed officials—above integrity, honesty, and diligence in adhering to moral and ethical principles—it is the nation that loses. Our influence and credibility throughout the world is also severely diminished. Benghazi is not the only issue in the news. Two other items in the headlines included: “Lawmakers have gone undercover in New York in a corruption probe,” and “The IRS makes a rare apology over some controversial practices it deployed during the 2012 election season.” Honesty and integrity seem to be in short supply.
Delving into the secular news lends itself to dimming the brightness of one’s outlook on life and currently leaves me asking the questions, How do we enter into the world without becoming ‘of’ the world? How do we become the light of the world and the salt of the earth? Ultimately, how do we effectively help transform the world through love and service?
The secular news reminds me that we are called to be people of prayer. “Pray without ceasing!” Uniting our hearts, minds, and wills to the will of God gives us the strength, courage and perseverance we need to continue running the race and fighting the good fight. Jesus Christ has overcome the world. May each of us be so inspired by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we will go out into the world imitating the kind of love and compassion that was demonstrated by Jesus Christ when he walked upon the earth! That is how we live more deeply and with a greater sense of purpose, but I will also acknowledge that it is easier said than done. Thankfully, we have been assured in Sacred Scripture, “All things are possible for God.” (Matthew 19:26)
I will admit that these two questions made me pause for a few moments of reflection. After all, isn’t it natural to yearn for a greater sense of purpose? The question that was actively bouncing around in my head was centered more on the aspect of what it means to live more deeply. What would living more deeply actually look like in my own life? How do I get there? What will it cost me? Will it hurt?
Transforming the world through love and service seems like a lofty ideal. Isn’t that reserved for just a few folks like Mother Teresa and others we have canonized as saints? Furthermore, what do you mean by asking me if I am willing to change in the process? It sounds like you are asking me to move out of my comfort zone, and that is a little intimidating.
Obviously, we are all called to holiness. We are called to transform the world through love and service, and once again, that begins with experiencing conversion in our own lives. We are invited to change, to grow, and to be intimately united with our God. It is an invitation waiting for our RSVP. Will we accept the call to enter into a deeper relationship with the King of kings and Lord of lords?
The questions asked by the flyer are still fermenting in my mind even now several days later. Watching the news on TV and reading about world events on the internet has darkened my mind and I can’t seem to lose some of the images. It is appalling to see the atrocities going on in our world. Where is charity? Where is kindness? Could we have a little honesty? How can human beings treat others so viciously?
There are two things that have been repeatedly keeping me awake at night—the Gosnell trial and the rescue of the three young women (and the child) in Cleveland who had been held captive in unimaginable circumstances. Gosnell snipped the necks of babies after they were born because his job was to kill the child. The other guy impregnates his captive and then starves her and beats her in the stomach to kill the child she has conceived—and allegedly repeats this process at least five different times. My heart breaks for these women and all the others that have experienced similar tragedies. My heart aches for the family members of other missing individuals as they hold onto hope for their own miracle.
The precious gift of life has been diminished in a multitude of ways in our society. Contraception was supposed to eliminate unwanted pregnancies. Instead, abortions have skyrocketed since contraception has become readily available. The sexual revolution of the 60’s has brought us booming industries in pornography, contraception, and abortions. The emotional, physical, and spiritual wounds generated by these industries are incalculable. In so many instances, women have paid a high price for what some have touted as liberation.
As I moved from reading information on pro-life websites and went to secular sites, there was other news less disturbing, but still shocking. An elaborate scam where thieves steal 45 million dollars from ATM machines captures headlines. Wow!
The attack in Benghazi is back in the news after many months because we still don’t know what actually happened. The hearings beg the question, “Could we have some honesty?” Can the family members of the slain victims be given closure by at least giving them the truth? What does it take for our elected officials to stop being politicians constantly seeking re-election and start being statesmen? Could we just do the right thing?
When winning becomes the top priority of elected and appointed officials—above integrity, honesty, and diligence in adhering to moral and ethical principles—it is the nation that loses. Our influence and credibility throughout the world is also severely diminished. Benghazi is not the only issue in the news. Two other items in the headlines included: “Lawmakers have gone undercover in New York in a corruption probe,” and “The IRS makes a rare apology over some controversial practices it deployed during the 2012 election season.” Honesty and integrity seem to be in short supply.
Delving into the secular news lends itself to dimming the brightness of one’s outlook on life and currently leaves me asking the questions, How do we enter into the world without becoming ‘of’ the world? How do we become the light of the world and the salt of the earth? Ultimately, how do we effectively help transform the world through love and service?
The secular news reminds me that we are called to be people of prayer. “Pray without ceasing!” Uniting our hearts, minds, and wills to the will of God gives us the strength, courage and perseverance we need to continue running the race and fighting the good fight. Jesus Christ has overcome the world. May each of us be so inspired by the guidance of the Holy Spirit that we will go out into the world imitating the kind of love and compassion that was demonstrated by Jesus Christ when he walked upon the earth! That is how we live more deeply and with a greater sense of purpose, but I will also acknowledge that it is easier said than done. Thankfully, we have been assured in Sacred Scripture, “All things are possible for God.” (Matthew 19:26)
RSS Feed
