PASTOR’S CORNER

By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

Why are so many people curious about the end of the world? Why do they give so much time and energy to thinking about and trying to predict the end? Why does Jesus try to dissuade us from such things? Because it distracts us from living the life we are called to live.

We know the good. We know that the greatest of all the natural gifts that God has given us is the gift of our families; spouses and children. We know that the highest form of love, the true love of friendship where two people mutually desire each other’s true good, is one of the greatest blessings we receive. Furthermore, we know that our ultimate happiness lies in our eternal relationship with God – that nothing compares to union with him; indeed there is no greater miracle in the world, no more sublime or triumphant event that will occur today than the celebration of the Most Holy Eucharist that takes place on our Altar, as every angel and Saint in Heaven, every soul in purgatory, and every member of the Catholic Church gathers around the altar to partake of this Heavenly banquet that is our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know the good. And yet these tremendous goods – the love of our spouse, the life of prayer – can begin to feel mundane, common, everyday, and even burdensome. Instead of bringing that joy they should, they begin to feel like a heavy load. And so instead we often throw ourselves willingly into all kinds of lesser goods and curiosities hoping for a distraction so we don’t have to feel that burden anymore.

The ancient name for this vice is Acedia, though it is often labeled ‘sloth’ despite sometimes causing us to be very, very busy with our distractions. And it is runs rampant in our culture. And the more we give ourselves to what is holy and good, the more certainly we will have to face it.

We face acedia through diligently doing the good we need to do now without waiting or finding an excuse. We also cultivate zeal for the truly good and beautiful things we have and encourage each other to see the good and be grateful. There is no acedia in God – When God sees the good he says, “Do it again!” . . . “Do it again!” . . . “Do it again!” like a child that will never tire of a game. Through growing in diligence and zeal and supporting each other, we seek to imitate him in that childlike wonder and joy, to not chase after curiosities and distractions, but to always persevere in the good, that by our perseverance we might secure our lives.

In Christ, through Mary,

Fr. Dominic David Maichrowicz, OP