“This tying of one's life to a plan, to a timetable, you tell me, is so monotonous! And I answer: there is monotony because there is little Love.” (Saint Josemaria, “The Way” at page 77).
I am a creature of habit. Since I was a little girl – and probably since I was born – I have liked the comfort that routine provides for me. I find it very comforting to understand that one ting comes after another and that if I have completed one part of my day there is another part just waiting for me when I am ready to attack it…
The Saint suggested that there should be a routine – a spiritual timetable of sorts - that could be used to help us to focus on our prayers. Mental prayer, Holy Mass, the Sacraments (Reconciliation and the Eucharist), the Holy Rosary and other devotions…
And I have been thinking about that, because I have found that without the routine or the structure or the timetable – so to speak – I would not be able to keep company with God in my spiritual life…
And this keeping company with God while living in the world is an important thing. You see, when we are able to keep some structure in life and incorporate prayer into a structure like that, we are able to keep our focus. And just like an Olympic athlete is able to constantly work towards their goal through the structure and routine that their life is designed around, so too should I live my life in a routine so that I can achieve my goal of Heaven.
And why would I want to achieve heaven? After all, unless the focus of my life on earth is God, why would I want the focus of my life in eternity to be God? And what is heaven other than perpetual adoration of God – the beatific vision…
And I have been thinking about that today. You see, if I do not bother myself to structure a routine to centre on God in this very short Earthly life, how could I ever possibly expect to structure my eternal life around my Blessed Lord? If I do not want to talk to Him or be with him or think of Him now, how could I possibly think to spend eternity thinking of Him and contemplating Him and speaking to Him?
And yes – now He feels distant from me because my human eyes cannot see His glory – but if my human heart cannot trust in that glory and love Him for it, when how could I possibly expect to merit eternity?
And I have been thinking about that today, because that structure – that routine – that places God at the centre of my world and my days and my nights, is the one way that I can show Him that I love Him – even unto eternity. It is the one way I can do it…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
Comments