"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us." St. Augustine

It is so easy for me to think that I am not that important in the eyes of God. It is so easy for me to focus on my faults and failures rather than on my true identity. That identity comes not from the world but from God who gave me life. God loves me uniquely, for there is no other person that is my clone. If I grasp and accept this truth, then should I not live my life differently? I am not an accident. I am chosen in love to fulfill my destiny in love. To do otherwise is to waste the precious gift I have been given.

 "We are not condemned because of our thoughts that enter us, but because we use our thoughts badly. St. Poemen

Remember what Jesus said.  It is not what comes into us that is sinful but what comes from our heart that is out of order. For the most part we are not in control of the many and varied thoughts that flood our minds throughout the day. Paul tells us to filter the negative thoughts and to take captive our thoughts. What we are responsible for is how we express our thoughts. or give vent to them. For example, when we are aware of a negative, condemning thought about another person, we can either reject that thought and turn to the Lord, or we can act on that thought, regardless of the consequences. The former leads to growth in virtue; the latter to possibility of sin against love. It is easy to say "the devil made me do it", yet in fact, he tempted me, but I made the choice to act.

 "In order to avoid discord, never contradict anyone except in case of sin or some danger to a neighbor; and when necessary to contradict others, do it with tact and not with temper." St. Louis

Do we always have to be right? Do we always have to win? If so, is it because of pride and self-righteousness? Does it really matter before God for us to show we know it all?  Do we have to always draw the line in the sand in everything? It is better for us to build the other up than to tear one down. In doing so, we are glorifying God by choosing to love. To live in unity is better than to live in discord. It is not "peace at all cost" but love at all cost.

 "Flee sin more quickly than you would a serpent.:" St. Louis

We would not play with a poisonous serpent, why would we hang around the poison of sin? The effects of sin are more lasting than the effects of a snake bite. One is eternally life threatening. We should instinctively flee sin as we would flee a poisonous snake. Because of an experience as a child, I am deathly afraid of snakes. Would that I be deathly afraid of sin as well. God spared me then and gives me the grace to flee sin as well. Unfortunately, we allow ourselves to be mesmerized by the pleasures of sin, rather than to recognize the poison it brings. See sin for what it is and does and flee from it quickly.

 "The most deadly poison of our time is indifference. et us strive, therefore, to praise God tothe greatest extent of our power." St. Maximillian Kolbe

There is a major difference between the sin of indifference and the virtue of holy indifference. The sin involves neglecting the basic commandments of love of God and love of neighbor. It manifests itself in the choices we make in the moment. Like the Priest and the Levite in the parable, we see someone in need but close our hearts. We have something more important to do.. The Good Samaritan couldn't ignore the situation, even at a high price. On the other hand, holy indifference is to surrender our will to the will of God in a given situation. I desire to let go my preferences and to embrace God's preference. The sin of indifference leads to the wide road of destruction. While the virtue of holy indifference leads one on the narrow road of eternal life.

 "The measure of love is love without measure." St. Bernard of Clairvaux

This is how God loves us, without measure. This is how God wants us to love in return, without measure. Is our love such? How often have we questioned another's love but fail to question our love? When we love another, do we seek love in return, rather than love the other solely for the sake of the other?  We love but many times with expectations. When those expectations are not fulfilled, then we withhold our love. If God showed us this kind of conditional love, will we ever know true love. Strive to love without measure and you will find the real meaning of love.

 "Ingratitude is the soul's enemy. Ingratitude is a burning wind that dries up the source of love, the dew of mercy, the streams of grace." St. Bernard

God does not need our gratitude. We need to be grateful, so that selfishness doesn't infect us. Did we take time yesterday to recall the blessings of the Lord and give him thanks? Do we do this each day as part of our time of prayer before the Lord? Recall the parable of the ungrateful servant. He was forgiven a huge debt by his master. Yet, he refused to do the same for another, who owed him a small debt. When we are grateful for the small blessings as well as the great ones, we open our heart to even greater blessings, which we have no right to. The Samaritan leper who was healed by Jesus, returned to thank him. In turn, besides healing, he received salvation. A grateful heart is pleasing to the Lord.

 "Our wish, our object, our chief preoccupation must be to form Jesus in ourselves, to make his spirit, his devotion, his affections, his desire and his disposition live and reign there." St. John Eudes

This is the difference between one striving for sanctity and one striving for material success, between one who has priorities in right order and one who has his sights on this world only. There are many ordinary people who have their sights primarily on Jesus and secondarily on their earthly responsibilities. When a person has one's sights on Jesus as Lord and Savior, that one can accomplish all things. But when a person limits his sight on the rat race of life, it is hard to lift eyes to the Lord. Jesus said it clearly. "Seek first the kingdom of God and all things will be given to you."

 "What will Christ do in my place?" Saint Alberto Hurado Cruchaga

Let this thought-provoking question be your reflection today. The Son of God became Man like us in all things but sin. He came to show us how to live our lives as adopted children of God. He had the same emotional experiences as we do; he was tempted, hungry, thirsty, tired,. He went beyond our experiences. He was scourged, crown with thorns, mocked, ridiculed, crucified as a common criminal. "What will Christ do in my place?" He would freely choose to do the will of the Father out of love in all circumstances. He would call us to follow him in total trust. He will call us to remember who and whose we are. As he kept his eyes on the end, to give glory and to be glorified, he would urge us to do the same.

 "Our home is Heaven. On earth we're like travelers staying at a hotel. When you're away, you're always thinking of going home." St. Jean Vianny

Is this our conviction? Is this how we see ourselves as pilgrims on the way to an eternal destination? For most people, this is probably not the conscious reason of their existence. They are so caught up with just trying to make it through the day, their vision is limited. However, if we never forget that our life here is temporary and what we do matters for the future, then we will not allow our stay at the "hotel" to be permanent. Our heart is restless, until it rests in the presence of God. If we keep our destination always before us, we will not become sidelined by the attractions of this world.

 "God does not hasten his works. He does all things in their time." St. Vincent de Paul

As God's ways are not our ways, so his timing is not our timing. We want things instantly. But that may be detrimental to us. We are like the person who saw a cocoon. He couldn't wait to see the butterfly within. So he took the cocoon into his hands and began to blow hot air to hasten its development. When the butterfly came out it was deformed and could not fly. There is a time and process according to God's plan. Holiness does not happen overnight or quickly. There is much pruning that must take place in the process. Seeking instant holiness means not to eventually become holy. Submit to the time and process of God patiently, no matter the cost, if you desire authentic holiness.

 "Our true worth does not consist in what human beings think of us. What we really are consists in what God knows us to be." St. John Berchmans

Notice he didn't say what God thinks of us, but what he knows us to be. Another's thoughts about us may be right or wrong. What God know is fact and reality. Many people live their lives based on what others think of them. But have we ever ask the question, how does God see me? Not how I fear God sees me, but how does God actually see me to be?  Who I am in the eyes of God is who I truly am. In spite of all my sins and failures, God always sees me to be his beloved child, whom he has created, redeemed, adopted and sanctified. If I embrace that reality, what will my life really be in fact? Strive to be that person, no matter what others may think or say. For in that reality is our true peace and joy.

 "Faithfully do what God expects of you each moment, and leave the rest up to Him." St. Jane de Chantal

Sometimes, we want to determine the outcome of our actions, when in reality we should only be concerned with what we are supposed to do. If the Lord places on our heart to plant a garden, we are called to be obedient to his word. If we did what he told us and the results were different than we expect, that should not be our concern. Our obedience to the word of God is our task. What God accomplishes through our obedience is his prerogative. God is free, is he not?

 "I feel a longing and a need to be a Saint. I did not know it was so easy to be one, but now I see that one can be holy and happy too." St. Dominic

Do you want and need to be a Saint? It is part of your spiritual DNA once you were baptized and became a child of God. You were called to "be holy, blameless in God's sight, full of love" so that you can be with God eternally, praising his name. It is not automatic. You must desire it and move towards that goal consciously. You must not listen to the lies as a result of past sins that say you are not worthy or it is impossible for you. God's grace is greater than the lies. You have all it takes to be a saint. Just like a person may have all it takes to be an successful athlete, but need to train and perfect his ability, so you have all it takes to be a Saint. But you also must train and discipline your life, cooperating with the grace of God. Then, you may not be a canonized Saint, but you will be a Saint. That is what matters

 "The man who governs his passions is master of the world. We must either rule them or be ruled by them. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil." St. Dominic

We are a people of passion and desires. These are natural to us and are God-given. But to be effective they must be tamed and under control. They are like a wild horse. If the horse is not tamed, it will cause havoc to all around it. To tame it, you put a bridle around its mouth, so that the rider can gradually tame the wildness and bring the power of the horse under control. It is for the good of the horse and the rider. Our passions need to be bridled, if we wish to control them. If we don't control our passions, they can become addictions destroying us. While we are not capable solely on our own to control our passions. the grace of God is given us to bring them under our control. Grace is the bridle. If if is on the horse, then we have the means to bring the wild horse under our control and direction. Control your passions or they will control you.

 "Let go of your plans. The first hour of your morning belongs to God. Tackle the day's work that he charges you with, and he will you the power to accomplish it." St. Theresa Benedicta of the Cross

I know a lot of people will think setting the first hour of the day for the Lord is not possible with their busy life. But maybe that is the problem. There lives are too busy to fit the Lord in. Are we to fit the Lord in our lives or fit our lives in his? God can order our day only if we surrender to him and let go our plans to embrace his. Maybe a person can't set aside a whole hour initially. But try a solid fifteen minutes, and then increase it eventually to an hour. It is amazing what one time with the Lord will do for one's day. Doing this will be making a statement concerning where the Lord is in our lives.

 Our only desire and our one choice should be this: I want and I choose what better leads to God's deepening life in me." St. Ignatius Loyola

We either choose God or we choose what is not of God. We either move towards the light of his grace or we move deeper into the darkness of alienation. Either we walk on the narrow road through the narrow gate which leads to eternal life or we join the many on the wide road, leading to destruction. All is a choice. The question is will we make the right choice or the wrong one. Like Adam and Eve there will always be a Tree of life in our journey. Will we admire it and care for it or will we grab its fruit for our selfish use. Or to put it differently, will we choose to unite our will to God's or will we choose contrary to God. Life is a choice. God gives us the life. It is our choice how we will live it. 

How often do we think of the sign of the cross as a shield against the attacks of the devil? How often do we consciously sign ourselves as sign of our gratitude to Jesus for the gift of salvation?  The cross is not a good luck charm or an ornament to wear. It is a source of power and strength that needs to be tapped.  Making the sign of the cross at different times during the day will keep our attention on the gift we have received and the gift awaiting us. When we were baptized, when we are forgiven, when we were confirmed, when a couple is married, when a priest is ordained, when the Anointing of the Sick is administered. the sign of the cross is traced.. It is the seal that identifies us as children of God. 

 "You either belong wholly to the world or wholly to God." St. John Vianny

This saying is in line with what Jesus said. "You cannot serve God and Mammon." Some people try to straddle the fence. There is no straddling allowed by God. We are either wholeheartedly in the Kingdom of God or we are not. God does not cater to the lukewarm. At one point in his life, St. Augustine was in that state. He told the Lord, "I want to be holy, but not today."  While God may in his mercy give us time to repent and turn totally to him, this does not mean he is satisfied with us in our lack of choice. It is presumptuous for us to believe that we have time to make the choice.

 "He who goes about to reform the world must begin with himself, or he loses his labor." St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Jesus puts it another way. "Remove the beam in your own eye before removing the speck in others.? It is easier for us to focus on the faults of others and fail to see our own faults. It is the blind leading the blind. There is more than enough garbage in our own hearts that needs to be dealt with before, in love, we reach out to another. What does God see in us that is not pleasing to him? If you love God and want to be one with him eternally, deal with that which separates you from him. Then when you reach out to another, you will do so in humility and love rather than judgment and condemnation.

 "Begin nothing on earth unless it has its end in heaven; do not walk on a path that does not lead to heaven." St. Sharbel

Like the Saints we are called not to lose our way once we have been baptized. Whatever does not lead ultimately to heaven is not work our time or effort. Even the mundane aspects of our life have a purpose in the eternal plan of God. There are many exits on our road to God, none of which leads to God but away from him. We should not be fooled by signs that say a shortcut or detours. The Lord goes before us, even though we don't see him. He is the only guide we need on this journey. Though we may stumble many times on the road, like the marathon runner we need to get up and keep moving forward. We don't have to be first to cross the finish line. We just need to cross the line.