Something To Aim For?

Here's more follow-up to our recognition of the incredible work of St Peter Claver we have noted in the past - something to aim for. Father Willie will express this something: constant union with God.

For us pilgrims on the road to sanctity, union with God can seem something either impossible or incredible. Frankly it's not always clear just what this might be.

But a first step in wrapping our minds around this should be dropping "impossible." It's clearly not. Many saints (all?) did experience this. 

Now if we're tempted to adjust "impossible" to "impossible for me," don't do it. It's understandable, of course. We might even think it's simply "realistic." What? Me a saint?

But all that means is that the road to sanctity lies ahead and we're not there yet. It shouldn't mean there's no point to pushing ahead. We can't let that happen. We are all called to be saints. 

At work, we may find some comparison to our thoughts and feelings here. Maybe there's an ambitious project we're working on. Maybe we want to advance our career, or change it to something more in line with what we really would like to do. Maybe we need to get a raise to better support our family but it's not forthcoming, and we're having trouble figuring out what to do to get it. Maybe...well, there could be a lot of "maybes." Indeed, if we take our work seriously, there's always some "next step" or "next level" we can aspire to.

If so, do we just shake our heads and say "not for me"? Or, "I'll never get there"? Or, the dreadful "Why bother, it'll never happen"? If we do, we need to take stock of our position as a worker, specifically as one who sincerely desires to do all - and that includes work - for the greater glory of God. 

We do want this, right? But if we pull back in any way, we're undermining our desire to do all for the greater glory of God. We must give whatever work we have at the moment our best. 

Now, giving our best doesn't mean we get what we consider the best in return - at least not in the time frame we prefer. God may have other plans for us at this time. Our desires or aspirations may not be the best for us. Or He may want to keep us waiting as a kind of test to see if we can manage to trust in Him completely, even when things don't go our way all the time. Whatever His Plan, it's unlikely we'll understand it right away, perhaps not until we have left this earth. 

Trust in Him. Leave the successes and failures in His Hands. Just do your best. Maybe that's a simple  sum this up, albeit no always easy or satisfying,

In the same fashion, we can understand the following remarks written by Father Willie about constant union with God. As we read, do try to accept that it really is possible to be in constant union with God. Do not read this and dismiss it as something only for saints, remarkably holy people (whatever that might mean) or Father Willie himself - not a declared saint, but one whom we can reasonably believe may be so declared some day.

Let's just take these words to heart and ask for the grace to find our way to a constant union with Our Lord.

OK?   

Without constant union with our Lord there cannot be any real holiness, one reason being that without recollection the inspirations of the Holy Spirit are missed and with them a host of opportunities of little sacrifices and a shower of graces. As a means of gaining greater recollection, each morning at Holy Communion invite Jesus to dwell in your heart during the day as in a Tabernacle. Try all day to imagine even His bodily presence within you and often turn your thoughts inwards and adore Him as He nestles next your heart in a very real manner, quite different from His presence in all creation. This habit is not easily acquired, especially in a busy life like yours, but much may be done by constant effort. At times you will have to leave Him alone entirely, but as soon as you can, get back to His presence again.