Looking for Something Greater

“If anyone comes to me, I want to lead them to Him.” St. Edith Stein

I received a couple of phone calls recently. I wonder sometimes why someone would want my opinion on anything, but I want to be ready to listen. I don’t want to dole out advice without people asking but I do it sometimes and it is one of my faults. Both phone calls gave me the feeling that at the other end of the phone was a person exasperated with what is happening around them. We all feel like that now and again. I certainly do! Sometimes I ask myself, what am I doing here?

What do I want? What am I looking for? These questions came up a lot during the pandemic from many people it seems. Aside from the virus, the social effects have been difficult. I can only give one answer and that is to stay faithful to Christ and Holy Mass. Where else would I go to find any sort of peace? There is nowhere else. It seems that young and old alike are in search of something more out of life. We want answers that will be like a gift out of heaven. However, from my perspective, nothing comes that easy.

“Our labour here is brief, but the reward is eternal. Do not be disturbed by the clamour of the world, which passes like a shadow. Do not let the false delights of a deceptive world deceive you.” St. Clare of Assisi

One thing that brings me joy is that people are still searching for a vocation. It is a great question, but it would involve a lot of sacrifice and prayer. No one can tell someone that your vocation is this or that. I don’t dare try to direct someone in that direction. However, I am sure that this searching can only be helped through silence and prayer. And, as I watch people struggle with these great questions, I can only refer them and myself to Someone greater.

“You wish to reform the world? Reform yourself, otherwise, your efforts will be in vain.” St. Ignatius Loyola

We listen to the news; we hear stories of many things happening around us, but we cannot lose heart – NEVER! We are helped through our faith in Christ and His Church. In our search for something greater we need to ask – to beg. In the book, “Is it Possible to Live This Way – Charity” by Luigi Giussani, he writes, “…. there is a Presence in the darkness. If you accept this Presence in the darkness, the idea of charity is also awakened…… Therefore, the greatest action a man can take is to beg.” (p.43)

I know a few people who are caregivers. It is a difficult job to be sandwiched between parts of life. However, again, we cannot lose heart. Each of us is asked by God for a task, great or small and we need to be ready for that task. We need to open our ears and hearts. God will make His will clear to us. We should not have God’s voice shouted down in a noisy world.

“I am not capable of doing big things, but I want to do everything, even the smallest things, for the greater glory of God.” St. Dominic Savio

I am so often helped by my friends in the Carmel Cloister. They have been so kind to me always. Sometimes I try to bring friends with me when I go there. Our small conversations when I visit always come from their life of prayer. It is important to remember this because our lives need to be the same.

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. This is what love looks like. St. Augustine

I am sure that the Lord has a plan for each of us. To know what He wants will bring us great joy. At the heart of God’s will is His love for us. It is not so easy to understand what He wants initially, but we can grow to understand His will. This takes effort and time but most of all prayer. Maybe it is time for all of us to start.