We are always being tested

WE should never forget this fact of life. As long as we

live in this planet, we are actually being tested to see if we love

God or our own selves, if we choose to do good or to opt for the

pleasurable or convenient evil, if we truly give ourselves to God and

others or we are simply indulging ourselves.

            We have to be clear that there in nothing in our life, no

moment or situation where this test is not being done. We have to

explode the myth that consists in the thinking that there are times

when we are freed from this test. Even in our moments of rest and

recreation, we are being tested.

            Let’s remember these relevant words of Christ. “He who is

not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me

scatters.” (Mt 12,30) There is no neutral ground in our relationship

with God. We are either for him or against him.

            And being created in the image and likeness of God, we are

meant to be always with God, much like what Christ himself said about

the vine and branches. (cfr. Jn 15,5) Otherwise, we die in the sense

of living a life that is not proper to us, like the branches that are

separated from the vine.

            It should be like an instinct to us to refer everything in

our life to God. Every so often, we can ask ourselves these questions:

“Is this what God wants me to do at this moment? Is this how it should

be done to please God? What does God want me to think, say or do at

this time? How would God react to this event or circumstance?”

            Such questions should prod us to know more about God. Such

questions should also sharpen our desire to form our conscience well,

since that is where we can hear the voice of God in our inmost self.

            That is why we have to learn how to really pray and to

become an authentic contemplative soul even while in the middle of the

world. In fact, the more immersed we are with our earthly concerns,

the more immersed we should also be in God.

            But given our usual weakness that consists in being easily

intoxicated by the tremendous endowments and privileges God has given

us, we always tend to separate ourselves from God. This has happened

since the beginning of humanity, during the time of Adam and Eve.

            Thus, we always have to be guarded against our own selves,

our own weaknesses, not to mention, of course, the other usual enemies

we have: the temptations in the world and the tricks of the devil.

            We have to remember that every event and circumstances in

our life, no matter how mundane, is always an occasion to be with God,

to love him. Our work and our other duties and concerns are actually

the occasion when we can have an encounter with God who is always

present and is always intervening in our life.

            We need to realize more deeply that being aware of God’s

presence and corresponding to his will always do not undermine our

humanity and our freedom. We would actually be approaching what is

ideal in our life.

            We should always be aware that we are being tested while

living in this world and that we need to pass that test!