Where Do I Begin?

“Most people have no idea what God would make of them if they would only place themselves at his disposal.” St. Ignatius Loyola

I recently tutored someone to help them pass an important exam. The hard-working student was successful. It was good news. He was so happy and relieved since he really put his mind to it that he wanted to do well. We had an experience once, when someone needed help to make some university decisions and they were reluctant to listen at first. This made me a bit sad, but they finally realized we were trying to help. This wasn’t the first time that I offered to help someone and experienced some hesitation. I try to be present. Sometimes when I talk to a friend, they say nothing and just listen. Even that silence can be cathartic.

“People are made for happiness. Rightly, then, you thirst for happiness. Christ has the answer to this desire of yours. But he asks you to trust Him.” St. John Paul II

Where do we begin? We are made for happiness. Despite the challenges we face in life, Christ wants us to be happy. The difficulty with this ‘happiness’ is the distorted notion of happiness that society gives us. Media, television, movies, and holidays are filled with false ideas of what it means to be happy. It is an abstract word that I am not so sure that it can be properly defined. A priest told me once, that sometimes we look for happiness and then try to suffocate it in a way. It took me some time to understand what he meant, and his words left me wondering. We are always looking for happiness. However, we must remember that Christ is the source of our joy, our contentment, and our laughter even when life is difficult.

“Now, we must help each other get to heaven.” Blessed Charles of Austria

How can we help each other get to heaven? It is not our responsibility to be happy for others but, we can love the other person’s destiny. I learned this after reading many of the works of The Servant of God, Luigi Giussani. In his book, “The Religious Sense,” “The truly interesting question for man is neither logic, a fascinating game, nor demonstration, an inviting curiosity. Rather, the intriguing problem for man is how to adhere to reality, to become aware of reality.” For me, once we are aware of the reality around us, what God wants for us might just become clearer. God knows our hearts more than we know ourselves. I have found that this can be helped in a companionship; with people who love your destiny. That brings me back to my question from the title. Where do I begin?

“The gate of heaven is very low; only the humble can enter it.” St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

I recently read about Blessed Ricerius (Rizzerio). He had heard a sermon preached by Francis of Assisi. He began to follow him. While he was profoundly tempted, he prayed and fasted to no avail. He made a point to visit St. Francis of Assisi who was lying ill. Francis said, “of all the brothers scattered abroad in the world I love him most particularly.” Ricerius was consoled immediately. Only in a companionship and through an awareness can someone see what is in front of them. It is Christ who is waiting for us always. It is so important to recognize Christ in our decisions, our joys and even our sorrows.

“Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ, God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray.” St. Louis de Montfort