Knowing What We Need

“When we attend to the needs of those in want, we give them what is theirs, not ours. More than performing works of mercy, we are paying a debt of justice.” St. Pope Gregory the Great

Recently, my car needed repairs. I felt like buying a new one because I was so upset about having to go to the mechanic and leave my car. More expenses I thought, and I should just buy a new one to avoid this nonsense. After further thought, I realized that it was simply a want – not a need. Did I need a new car? No! I have a need for a car, but I do not need all the ‘bells and whistles’ that are so common among new cars today. The new cars have everything, but I do not need them.

“I put you this question, dearly beloved – what is it you want, what is it you are looking for, when you come to church? What indeed if not mercy? Show mercy on earth and you will receive mercy in heaven. A poor man is begging from you, and you are begging from God, he asks for a scrap, you ask for eternal life… And so, when you come to church give whatever alms you can to the poor in accordance with your means.” St. Saint Caesarius of Arles

How many of us need help but do we recognize our needs or our wants? We want to be rich; we want to be famous but our need for eternal life is something that seems to fall by the wayside. In 1605, while returning home from a trip, St. Vincent was kidnapped by pirates and auctioned off as a slave in Tunis. He was a slave for two years, and had many different owners, but he eventually gained his freedom by converting his last slave master to Christianity. He and his owner escaped to France together in 1607. It was during his time in slavery where he learned how to give. He suffered greatly and wanted to be freed. Upon his return to France, he was even more dedicated to helping others. God teaches us the way He wants. Cardinal Van Thuan was in jail in Vietnam for years. He would have wine smuggled into the prison in medicine bottles and he would collect crumbs to make the host. The Catholics around him would use cigarette papers to keep the consecrated host in a sort of mini tabernacle. His writings were brought out and eventually published in a book – Gospel from Prison. Once, I had to help at mass and we could not find the large host for consecration. I told the priest that we couldn’t do mass. He reminded me of Cardinal van Thuan who used what he could, and we went ahead. My preconceptions get the best of me, but I was reminded of the essentials.

 “We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion, which is truly the spirit of God.”  St. Vincent de Paul

Father Luigi Giussani (died 2005) talked to us often about needs and wants. What do we want? What do we need? The Church is clear on these words and so was Giussani. However, are we clear in our own mind? Likely not. We easily get muddled and confused by the world’s distractions around us. I am reminded of this from my friends in the Carmel. Whenever I get distracted, they quickly remind me of what is important. It is only in silence that Christ can speak to us. It is only in prayer that we can listen to God who tries immensely to reach us, and we do not always listen. As we begin Holy Week, we need to try to block out the chocolate rabbits and the available cakes. I want to finish my Lent strong. I am not waiting for Easter Sunday to start eating things I gave up. I am looking forward to that day to meet the risen Lord the way Mary Magdalene, Peter and John met Jesus again. How their hearts must have been racing! My heart needs to race also.

“Our concern must be to know God’s will. We must enter that path; if God wants, when God wants, how God wants.” St. Gianna Molla