Even When We're Super-Busy We Can Do This

Even when we're super-busy we can do this. It's not going to be easy. But it's doable. We'll get to what it is in a moment. But first a caveat.

Our advice today comes with a caveat. The source is an old one - from the 19th century. What's the caveat? Simply that reading the words can be challenging. Why? We're creatures of a world in which: a) reading is virtually a lost art; b) our attention spans have been squeezed to somewhere between a minute and a nano-second. (If not true for you, bravo!) 

Also, the language is not laced with current slang, not written in the pretty much dumbed-down style that's necessary to communicate in writing these days. For example, there are long sentences Oooohhh!

And there's an expectation that we have more than a superficial knowledge of our Faith. These days, that's a dicey assumption for many of us, even those of us who desire to advance in our spiritual life. 

With all that, assuming it won't present an impossible barrier, there's the point with which we began: being super-busy. We Catholic men at work who approach our daily labor properly know that we much muster all our faculties to attend to it diligently. And that frequently entails filling each moment with concentrated effort. And such concentrated effort repels distraction. And, in the natural order of things, such a repelling action can sometime include what should be at least occasional moments of recollection, or recognizing God's Presence, of praying at least simple aspirations to keep us "connected" with God.

So there's a lot to overcome to take the advice we're being offered and let it not just sink in, but spur us to perhaps some change in our daily routines. 

We've quoted from this old publication - The Catholic Miscellany - before. Here the author picks up on a previous discussion of "treating" Holy Communion. There's our background and context.

This section was first published in the 19th century. So take a deep breath, clear your mind and proceed. Oh, and don't be put off by the length of this single paragraph. Remember that long paragraphs were quite normal back in the day when people could read and had reasonable attention spans. Really.

As an aid to understanding, we'll see the distinction between exterior and interior acts. Remember our past discussion of the Interior Life? It's something we all should be familiar with. Indeed, it was pretty basic for Catholics Past. So we Catholic Present should take all this to heart as we unite ourselves to our forebears. 

And don't be put off by the concluding comments about interior acts that can separate us from God in a heartbeat. People really thought this way then. And while it may seem excessive today, just give it some thought. Instead of always assuming we're A-OK all the time if we haven't killed anyone, let this serve as a strong tonic to ground us in the fact that we are indeed all sinners. 

    “We have been treating of Holy Communion, but how imperfectly! How imperfect our words, how embarrassed our thoughts, and our thoughts how much beneath the sublime object to be conceived. It was the finite trying to comprehend the infinite, earth contemplating Heaven, the creature overwhelmed in the dazzling light of the Creator. But the goodness of Jesus accepts our least good wishes: this leads us to our present chapter, Communion of desire, or spiritual Communion. We sometimes forget the value of interior acts. The soul alone can love or offend God. ‘My soul,’ says the holy Mother of the Savior, ‘doth magnify the Lord: my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.’ (Lk. 1: 46) The exterior acts add nothing or little to the interior. These acts of the soul, whether for good or evil, can be multiplied at will beyond the power of reckoning, and in the midst of apparently the most distracting occupations. One act of the will, the work of an instant, transformed bright angels into hideous devils, and cast them from the highest heaven to the lowest hell, without a ray of hope for all eternity! Suppose the soul consents to an evil thought, it is the work of an instant, but the work is complete. In that second of time what has taken place? The Holy Ghost has departed; a foul devil takes His place; the soul, before beautiful, is now hideous; before the friend of God, is now His enemy. In that one second she has forfeited Heaven, and deserved Hell for all eternity. 
“Reverse the picture, and you have the value of good thoughts. Good thoughts, good desires, good acts of the will, pierce Heaven, please God, merit an increase of glory, and are written by the finger of God in the book of life. O the value of one act of love! Quicker than the lightning it is before God, and makes the soul the habitation of the Holy Ghost! These acts of the will – such as acts of love, sorrow, adoration, praise, thanksgiving, petition for grace – never fatigue the mind nor interfere with our ordinary occupations, and can be multiplied each day in thousands. What glory they give to God! What showers of graces they bring down from Heaven upon the soul! Amongst the holiest of interior acts is spiritual communion.” (The Catholic Miscellany, 1895)

Can we take some of this strong tonic to work with us today? Let's hope we can.