Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Something worthy of consideration...


"Do not become utterly absorbed in activism! There would be so much to do that one could be working on it constantly. And that is precisely the wrong thing. Not becoming totally absorbed in activism means maintaining consideratio -- discretion, deeper examination, contemplation, time for interior pondering, vision, and dealing with things, remaining with God and meditating about God. One should not feel obliged to work ceaselessly; this in itself is important for everyone, too, for instance, every manager, too, and even more so for a Pope. He has to leave many things to others so as to maintain his inner view of the whole, his interior recollection, from which the view of what is essential can proceed.”
--Pope Benedict XVILight of the World, with Peter Seewald


I can hardly wait to get my copy of our Holy Father's latest book. The above is such a gem! It reminds me of Blessed Mother Teresa's reply when someone criticized her for not using her fame and influence to "do more". This person suggested that instead of "wasting" her time gathering up the poor off of the streets of Calcutta she should be out raising money and then building big hospitals and other facilities that would help many more people. Mother replied that that was not God's way. Her place was precisely in the streets of Calcutta loving "one person at a time" and caring for them.

This often crosses my mind just as I get busiest. I always try to remind myself that one can be busy, busy, busy every day - all day. But, "if I have not Love, I am but a clanging gong." Useless to God's purpose.

So, let me be God's tool, not my own or anyone else's. Let me be completely in love with Him and let our love spill out on all of those with whom I come in contact. This will only happen if I am completely grounded in Him. May I, and all of us, keep this solidly in mind and truly change the world - one heart at a time.

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Comments are most welcome! As always, be charitable and remember the 8th Commandment (Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor).