We need human devices

IN our relationship with God and with others, we need

these human devices that would help us keep a lively awareness of our

duties towards them and especially of our need to relate everything to

God.

  

            Yes, we have to use first the spiritual and supernatural

means to keep that relationship going. They have priority always. But

for these spiritual and supernatural means, like prayer, sacrifice,

sacraments, etc., to be truly effective, we need those practical human

devices also.

  

            Without the latter, the former would be floating on air.

The spiritual and supernatural means would remain in the world of

theories and intentions. But of course, without the former, the human

means can only mean nothing. They would be spiritless and vulnerable

to be taken advantage of by unwelcome forces. These two means should

go together.

  

            The human means can be anything that we can see, touch,

hear or feel, to which we attach some special spiritual and

supernatural meaning. Of course, we can start with having some

crucifixes, images of God, Christ, saints and angels in the places

where we usually find ourselves, like our bedroom, office, car, etc.

They can easily elicit in us some spiritual and supernatural

considerations every time we see, touch or kiss them.

  

            But we have to be more inventive when it comes to all the

other places and situations that we can be in. While in the street,

for example, as we drive or walk or do some exercise, we should have

appropriate human devices to keep us on the spiritual and supernatural

track and not get swallowed up by merely mundane considerations.

  

            For example, we can consider giving some spiritual meaning

to objects we usually see in the streets. Like whenever we see a car,

we can choose to say “Thank you, God, for this means of convenience,”

instead of just looking at its brand, its color and shape, its beauty

or its lack of it.

  

            And whenever we see billboards, we either say “Thank,

God,” or “Praise, God,” or “Sorry, Lord,” depending on whether the

billboard is good or not so good. Same whenever we see buildings and

the many people around.

  

            We really should relate everything to God. That should be

the first consideration before we start assessing the human and

temporal value these things can have. Doing this should be like an

instinct in us.

  

            And in our work, we should also be quick to relate things

to God, otherwise we can get carried away by merely earthly

considerations, concerned only about the technicalities and failing to

relate it to our proper ultimate goal.

  

            The technicalities of our work should not be a problem or

an obstacle in our relationship with God and with others. In fact,

they can and should be converted into means and occasions to relate us

to God, either praising God or thanking him or expiating for sins in

general or asking for some favor from him.

  

            It would truly be helpful if we are clear about what

spiritual and supernatural considerations we can give to each

technicality involved in our work. Our work, whatever it is, should

somehow be a form of prayer since we use it to relate ourselves to

God.

  

            We really would have to pause and study things before we

can make an appropriate plan or strategy to actualize this ideal of

using human devices in our work. Whether our work is easy or hard, is

completed or not, is something routine or involves something new and

unfamiliar, we should know how to relate it to God or we should

somehow see God in it.

  

            In this way, the stress and tiredness that our work

usually causes would not take us away from God but would rather

strengthen our union with him, since it is in him that we can find our

true rest. (cfr. Mt 11,28)