Thursday, June 11, 2020

Energized, driven, zealous

THIS is the ideal condition for us. Even if we are endowed
only with the most phlegmatic and melancholic temperaments, something
must be burning inside our heart that cannot help but burst into a
flame, a flame of love, of self-giving, of serving without expecting
any return. If it is not yet there, then let’s enkindle it.

            The secret again is always that vital identification with
Christ who, in pursuit of his redemptive mission, expressed such zeal
when he said: “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it
were already burning!” (Lk 12,49) And no amount of difficulty and
suffering, and even death, could stop him from pursuing his mission.
Such should also be out attitude.

            If we are truly in love, with the love of God who is the
source, pattern and end of love, we cannot help but, like Christ, be
always energized, driven and zealous, no matter what the cost. Of
course, this condition, this requirement is quite tough to meet, but
if we would just try, and try again as often as necessary, certainly
the ideal effect would just come about.

            What can always help is that we avoid getting imprisoned
in our own world and allow ourselves to simply be at the mercy of the
state of our physical, emotional and mental condition. With our
spiritual faculties of intelligence and will, plus of course God’s
grace that will always be made abundantly available, we can transcend
beyond these constraining elements.

            So we just have to use everything within our power to
attain that ideal state of being always on the go, dynamic, eager to
serve and to do things for everyone. We may have our limitations, and
we can commit mistakes, yet we cannot deny that everything is already
given for us to be how we should be in our earthly life. And that is
to be like Christ, whose only desire is to love all of us.

            In practical terms, we should see to it that our
intentions and desires are always alive. Let’s avoid just coasting
along without any clear idea of where we are going, guided and led
only by the shape and contour of the terrain of our earthly and human
condition.

            We have to spend time praying and looking closely at the
example of Christ, begging him for the grace of having the same
intense interest and love for everyone, including those who may be
considered our enemies. Thus, we cannot overemphasize the need for
prayer and the other means that bring us closer to Christ: recourse to
the sacraments, spirit of sacrifice, development of virtues, etc.

            Let’s not be scared of the challenges to face, the
difficulties to bear, the trials to go through. Rather let us consider
them as golden opportunities to be like Christ and to show and prove
the authenticity of our love.

            And while we have our own past and future, let’s see to it
that we meet and live fully the demands and opportunities of the
present. “Carpe diem,” as they say, having that attitude of always
discovering and seizing the opportunities of loving God and everyone
else at the present moment.

            Let us remember that God through Christ in the Holy Spirit
is always intervening in our life. He is in everything we are in and
is inviting us to join him in his life and work of love for all
mankind.

            If we realize this truth, this reality, there will never
be a dull moment in our life. We would be taking active part in an
exciting adventure that is programmed by God himself.

            It’s really a choice we have to make: whether we want to
be with God or simply to be by our own selves. The right choice to
make is actually a no-brainer! Let’s go for it.

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