Where is the Goalpost?

It may sound simplistic, but the very first thing one must learn in order to play football successfully is to learn where the goaloost is - the right goalpost, that is! How often has a touchdown been scored for the opposing team when a dazed player ran with the ball in the wrong directionm to the cheers of the opposition!

If we lose sight of our proper goal in life, we may find ourselves gratifying the Enemy and his cheering section in Hades. It's alarmingly easy to become confused about our real goal, if we submit to the subtle allurements of the word. "Everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world" (1 Jn 2:216). The world that John refers to is, of course, not the world of people (see John 3:16) or the created world (see John 17:24), but the world or realm of sin (see James 4:4).

The goal or ultimate aim (purposed end) of every creature must be related to its beginning cause, its Creator, for "the Lord works out everything for his own ends" (Prv 16:4). His plan for us human creatures is for us to conform consciously to his will; and "it is God's will that you should be sanctified" (1 Thes 4:3). "Just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy because I am holy '" (1 Pt 1:15-16).

Let us pause and ask: Are we running in the right direction?

This excerpt is from the book One-Minute Meditations for Busy People, by John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., originally published by Servant Publications. It and other of Fr. Hampsch's books and audio/video recordings can be purchased from Claretian Teaching Ministry, 20610 Manhattan Pl, #120, Torrance, CA 90501-1863. Phone 1-310-782-6408 or www.Catholicbooks.net