Despair and Presumption
When All Else Fails....
Photo By: Flickr/feryswheel
The secretaries' lounge at NASA has a wall poster that reads: "Women astronauts are indispensable. If the crew is lost in space, somebody has to ask for directions!"
It seems axiomatic that men, in general, are more reluctant to ask for directions than women are; a motto for such men might be the one emblazoned on my humorous desk plaque: "If all else fails, follow directions." Those who neglect to read directions on road signs, exams, or medicine bottles are no better off than those who are unable to read them.
The best direction is given by example, like the driver who says, "Follow my car; I'll lead you there." Jesus gave that kind of direction To attain peace, he said, "Learn from me,...and you will find rest for your souls" (Mt 11:29). To practice charity, he said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done" (Jn 13:15). For directions in coping with suffering,, Peter says, "Christ left you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 Pt 2:21). for a Christic attitude, Paul says, "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" (Pjil 2:5). And John added "Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did" (1 Jn 2:6). Jesus' true followers are Jesus imitators.
His directions are caught, not taught, by "osmosis." Reading the Gospels is how we absorb "the mind of the Lord: (1 Cor 2:16).
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
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About the Author
The Rev. John H. Hampsch, C.M.F., ordained as a Catholic priest in 1952, is a member of the Claretian Missionaries, and is founder and director of the Claretian Teaching Ministry. Listed in Who’s Who in Religion in America, he has served as parish priest, seminary professor and rector, college professor, lecturer, magazine writer, newspaper columnist, editor, retreat master, hospital chaplain, prison chaplain, campus chaplain, Cursillo director and director of suicide prevention programs in Texas and California.
He earned degrees in philosophy from Loyola-Marymount University in Los Angeles and from Notre Dame University, with postgraduate work at the University of Southern California and the Dominican House of Studies in River Forest, Illinois, in ascetical and mystical theology.
Find his many books and audio/visual recordings at www.Catholicbooks.net
