An 11th Sunday After Pentecost Lesson On The Sole Purpose of Life

The 11th Sunday after Pentecost brings us a lesson on the sole purpose of life. Busy as some of us may be during the work week, time for contemplation of "big" things may be rare or non-existent. Sunday, on the other hand, was given to us by God as a Day of Rest. Think of it as a gift given us to allow us to slice off at least a little time for prayer, study, even contemplation of "big" things.

Now, prayer and study really ought to be part of our daily routine - no matter how busy our work and domestic lives may be. If not, take a step back and consider how and when to kick off some sort of organized routine, starting with carving out time each day. Some of us will find that time early, before we gear up for the day's work; others may prefer end of day. Either way, the time should be more than a few minutes here and there. In the past, we've suggested a realistic hour or so. 

That could mean getting up earlier or staying up later. Or cutting out some frankly non-essential activity like watching steaming video services - whatever. Just do it.

So let's say we're disciplined now in reading Scripture, studying the truths of our Catholic Religion, praying without distraction (best we can), meditation or contemplation for 5, 10, 15 minutes (as suits your personality and capability). We still may not spend any time on "big" things. Question: What are these "Big Things"? 

A simple but profound example: The Four Last Things - Death, Judgment, Heaven, Hell. Holy Mother Church has recommended that each of us spend some time - from time to time - meditating on these. (If you've never done this, do go ahead and try it.) There are other subjects, but the Four Last Things should be a staple - I think.

Today we'll bring something else to the "Big Picture" list. It's a clear, profound explication of the sole purpose of life. Frankly, it's hard to imagine anything bigger than that, right? How many of us have spent time meditating on this? Or how many of us even know what the sole purpose of life is? (Quick, give it a shot? What did you come up with?)

The passage below begins by telling us exactly what the sole purpose of life is. There's no debate, or attempt to justify the conclusion. The author sees no need. When you read the passage, I suspect you'll understand why. The rest of the passage tries to solidify our desire to live our lives consistent with that sole purpose.

Take your time. Read carefully. Even if you figured it out already, you'll likely find these words help to energize your efforts to live accordingly.

“The sole purpose of life is to love Jesus passionately. From henceforth, Christian soul, you must act like the miser. You must have no other thought, no other desire, than to amass a huge fortune of Love, not so much for yourself, as for Jesus, Who lives in your heart. There rises before you a mountain of gold; your actions, your desires, your affections, your thoughts, your least movements, can be transformed into the purest gold of Charity – you have only to touch them by the magic of your good will…St. Gerard Majella wrote the following sentence on a strip of paper: ‘I have only this short life in which to sanctify myself; if I allow it to slip by unprofitably, it is lost forever.’ And he left his home and devoted himself entirely to God. Remind yourself, that the time for amassing these treasures of Charity is limited, and that you do not know how soon it may end for you. If St. Aloysius Gonzaga, St. John Berchmans, St. Stanislaus Kostka, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, had deferred, to a later period of their lives, the work of their sanctification, they would not be in the enjoyment of such great glory in Heaven today.    

You must furthermore consider that the quantity and quality of this gold of Divine Charity, amassed during life, will be and will continue exactly the same during eternity. Love in Heaven is not substantially different from love on earth, but the love you have in Heaven is not meritorious love that can add additional luster to your crown of glory, and your love in Heaven will not rise far above the love you bear to God on earth. What a loss to God and to you, if, by your own fault, you love Him less through endless ages! St. Therese animated herself by this thought: ‘That others should surpass me in glory in Heaven does not matter to me; but how could I endure that anyone should love You, Jesus, more than I?’ Very well, you little soul; make up your mind that you will not be surpassed in love, even by the Seraphic Therese.” (Fr. Joseph Schryvers, C.SS.R.)
 

Happy Sunday!