What are we looking for in life?

THIS is a question we need to ask ourselves as early as

possible. And, of course, we should try to get the right answer. It’s

a question Christ asked the two disciples who followed Christ after

John the Baptist referred to Christ as the Lamb of God. (cfr. Jn

1,35-39)

            The two disciples simply responded, “Where are you

staying?” Their question elicited Christ’s invitation to them to “come

and see.” And when they saw where he stayed and, in fact, stayed with

him for a day, their lives changed drastically.

            We should be clear about what we are after in this life.

Is it just to spend time and see what is going to happen? Are we just

totally dependent on chance or on luck? Or are we only interested in

some fame, wealth, power, pleasure?

            We cannot deny the obvious fact that many people nowadays

are not quite clear as to their purpose in life. And those who seem to

have some idea about it, have it wrong, since their idea of purpose is

simply time-and-earth-bound. There’s hardly anything transcendent

about it.

            Some may leave a worthwhile legacy beyond their death, but

again it is something that can only fade in time. It cannot stand the

test of forever!

            Like those two disciples, we should always be curious

about Christ and follow him. We should always look for him, for he is

“the way, the truth and the life” for us. We cannot go to the Father

(God), we cannot attain the eternal life proper to us, without him.

            That is also why Christ himself said that we seek first

the kingdom of God, and not to worry so much about our temporal and

worldly needs, because all these will also be provided by him as long

as we look for Christ first.

            This looking for Christ should be our basic attitude that

should guide us daily and give shape to that day. Our life should be

characterized by an attitude of looking forward, of watching and

expecting, clarifying and pursuing our intentions, and being ever

hopeful.

            We need to realize then that we have to take utmost care

of our intention, making it as explicit as possible, and honing it to

get engaged with its proper and ultimate object who is God.

            We should try our best to shun being simply casual or

cavalier about this responsibility. We can easily play around with it,

since intentions are almost invariably hidden from public knowledge.

We are urged to be most sincere in directing our intentions properly.

            We can easily fall into hypocrisy and deception, doing

what can appear good externally but is not internally, since we could

refuse giving glory to God, which is the proper intention to have, and

instead feed and stir our vanity, pride, greed, lust, etc.

            We need to actively purify our intentions, since we have

to contend with many spoilers in this regard these days. In fact, we

just have to look around and see how openly opposed many people are of

directing their intentions to God.

            To them, intentions are strictly personal and confidential

matters that others do not have any right to meddle. While there is a

certain truth to this claim, we have to remind ourselves that our

intentions too are subject to God’s moral law for us.

            Our intentions can only have at their core the love of

God, the giving of glory to God. As St. Paul once indicated, “Whether

you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of

God.” (1 Cor 10,31)