Beware of routine

YES, we have to be most wary of the danger of routine.

This can easily fall on us, especially these days when there are just

too many things that grab our attention to distraction.

            Never forget that we now have to contend with an

information and image overload that lead us into an overdrive with its

consequent unhealthy stress and the like. Allied to this common

phenomenon is that of multi-tasking, where people are pressured to

work at the expense oftentimes of impoverishing their spiritual and

even their bodily health.

            Another would be the proliferation of couch potatoes

hooked to the internet and often unmindful of their personal

conditions, including meals and hygiene, and much less, of the needs

of the others.

            Routine is when instead of pursuing our real goal, we get

entangled with other not-so-important things though they also have

certain legitimate value. This is a big problem, since very often we

get lost in our sense of priorities in life.

            When we are not properly anchored on God, then it would be

very easy to get confused, especially now when many things appear to

compete with each other in terms of importance and priority.

            Routine goes against what Christ told us very clearly:

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his justice, and everything else

will be added unto you.” (Mt 6,33) We should always bear these words

in mind. It’s a basic principle of life.

            The subtle and very deceptive character of routine is that

it can fill us with many things, it can engage us with all sorts of

exciting challenges and projects, and yet miss the main or the most

important point in life.

            It’s like sewing with a needle without a thread. No matter

how many passes or movements the needle makes, it can never stitch or

mend clothes.

            Routine is when we can deaden our sensitivity towards God

and others, and enliven our self-absorption to the point of

invincibility. That’s why some saints, like St. Josemaria Escriva,

describe it as the sepulchre of piety.

            That’s why we should always be on the look-out for the

quiet and often sweet invasion of routine. They are now everywhere.

Let’s always remember what Christ told us as to why we have to deny

ourselves and carry the cross and follow him. Some sacrifice is always

needed to be able to be on the right track.

            Routine is actually a form of escapism from God, from

reality, from our true responsibilities. It is a form of pampering and

spoiling ourselves. Whatever effort, sacrifice, investment involved in

routine is done in pursuit of self-interest rather than of God’s will.

            The worst form of routine is when we convert our practices

of piety into a routine. Our prayers and attempts to be with God are

only a shell with nothing inside. We go through the motions of

praying, but are not actually praying, are not actually in touch with

God.

            We should promptly correct this anomaly by humbling

ourselves to ask for pardon and for more grace so that, in spite of

all difficulties, we can manage to pray, the very lifeblood of our

spiritual life.

            It can also happen though that on some bad days, we are

not inspired to pray for one reason or another, and yet we somehow

force ourselves to pray, not out of hypocrisy but more out of true

love for God. This is another story, which is actually very

meritorious and laudable.

            We need to do everything to sharpen our need for God, our

sense of giving God the first and only priority over everything else

in our life, convinced that everything else would just follow and fall

in place.

            Let’s not be afraid to face the unavoidable effort and

sacrifice involved here. It would always be a worthwhile effort and

investment.

            We have to make many acts of faith. And we need to humble

ourselves always so that the impulses of God’s grace would be received

and corresponded to promptly. Let’s never forget that God never fails

to intervene in our life, showing us the way of our life.

            That’s why it’s good that we also avail ourselves of some

workable plan of piety composed of certain practices, to keep our

presence of God alive, effective and fruitful. We can think of some

period of mental prayer, spiritual reading, some Marian and other

helpful devotions.

            Regular examinations of conscience are also a necessity to

monitor our spiritual life is developing, and to promptly address the

constant threat of routine setting in.