On this earth, true joy is only attained by those who dedicate themselves entirely to fulfilling their mission.
The Secret of True Happiness
Msgr. Joao Scognamiglio Cla Dias EP... The same principles of radical surrender and complete dedication to the duties inherent to ones own state of life, apply to all the baptised, whether they be chosen for the priesthood or religious life, or called to raise a family and practice a profession.
In any of these instances, we all hear at a certain moment, a gentle yet commanding inner voice telling us: "Follow me." If we accept the divine invitation, we will be from that instant, lovingly 'confiscated' by Jesus. Because our life belongs to Him and our surrender to Him should be absolute.
The devil - abject creature and envious of the reward promised to us - is often thwarted from diverting chosen souls from the path of sanctity. When this happens, he tempts them to practice virtue half-heartedly and to frequently look back, seeking to sow in these souls the illusion that by acting in this way, their burden will become easier and their sufferings lessened.
However, Our Lord does not tolerate tepidity in His followers. Those whose lives are ruled by their own interests, or who poorly perform the works in the vinyard of the Lord, will never be happy. On this earth, true joy is only attained by those who dedicate themselves entirely to fulfilling their mission.
Throughout the journey traced by Providence for each one of us, we all encounter joys and consolations, but also, inevitably, moments of sadness and desolation. Let us not be surprised when they come and, in these moments of suffering, let us make a special effort not to look back, because along the path of the disciple of Jesus, the burden of those who have surrendered everything is light; it is heavy for those who have opted to make concessions and who have sought the middle ground.
If in a specific situation the weight of our obligations make us totter, let us confidently turn our gaze to Our Lady, certain that she will protect and console us. And finally, when the day arrives for our entry into the eternal delights of Heaven, we will fully comprehend how she and her Divine Son are always near to those who wholeheartedly dedicate their lives to following them.
Excerpt from a Gospel commentary for the thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary time, and printed in the magazine (Vol 4, No 32) of the Heralds of the Gospel in June 2010.
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