Most of us have done it, multiple times – the purchase of a car.
Unless we are of the stature of Father Harlan Waskowiak (who is significantly taller than yours truly, who is “only” 6’4”), we can choose between most makes and models.
Domestic or foreign, two-door or four-door, car or van, etc. In the end though, isn’t it all the same - quality aside? All vehicles have an engine and transmission, four wheels and tires, head and tail lights, a dashboard with instrumentation, and so on and so forth.
The same can be said about the different spiritualties, Carmelite or Ignatian, Dominican or Franciscan, etc. When one distills them all down to the essentials components we are left with, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mk 12:29-31).
That said, the only way to accomplish this, of course with the grace of God, is to do the following, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself” (Lk 9:23-25).
It all is about becoming more detached from the things of this world and more attached to God. When one accomplishes this, one becomes more selfless rather than selfish. It was Father Pierre Chastelain, S.J. (who worked with the North American Martyrs) who remarked that the greatest hindrance to developing union with God in this world is by refusing to deny yourself.
Recently, an elderly woman expressed her desire to leave Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska some money in her will. She wanted to talk over pancakes. She told me her children were doing well financially and wished to help ‘other children’ who are not so well off. She was aware of our work at Catholic Social Services and St. Gianna’s Women’s Homes.
While dining, she insisted on picking up the tab. When I attempted to reach for the ticket, she said emphatically, “Listen Father: you pray, I pay!” I was amazed.
As we get closer and closer to the Easter Triduum, let us mediate on the mystery of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection. He denied Himself completely by giving it all up for us on the cross so we who were dead in sin could live eternally. I pray that you and your families have a blessed Holy Week and Easter. And please remember, when it comes to all of the spiritualties, it all boils down to, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one; and you shall love the Lord you God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Mk 12:29-31).
And since I brought up domestic and imported cars, we sure could use them for needy families and individuals!
