By Fr. Roy Cimagala
THIS is the ideal condition for us. Even if we are endowed only with the most phlegmatic and melancholic temperaments, something must be burning inside our heart that cannot help but burst into a flame, a flame of love, of self-giving, of serving without expecting any return. If it is not yet there, then let’s enkindle it.
The secret again is always that vital identification with Christ who, in pursuit of his redemptive mission, expressed such zeal when he said: “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning!” (Lk 12,49) And no amount of difficulty and suffering, and even death, could stop him from pursuing his mission. Such should also be out attitude.
If we are truly in love, with the love of God who is the source, pattern and end of love, we cannot help but, like Christ, be always energized, driven and zealous, no matter what the cost. Of course, this condition, this requirement is quite tough to meet, but if we would just try, and try again as often as necessary, certainly the ideal effect would just come about.
What can always help is that we avoid getting imprisoned in our own world and allow ourselves to simply be at the mercy of the state of our physical, emotional and mental condition. With our spiritual faculties of intelligence and will, plus of course God’s grace that will always be made abundantly available, we can transcend beyond these constraining elements.
So we just have to use everything within our power to attain that ideal state of being always on the go, dynamic, eager to serve and to do things for everyone. We may have our limitations, and we can commit mistakes, yet we cannot deny that everything is already given for us to be how we should be in our earthly life. And that is to be like Christ, whose only desire is to love all of us.
In practical terms, we should see to it that our intentions and desires are always alive. Let’s avoid just coasting along without any clear idea of where we are going, guided and led only by the shape and contour of the terrain of our earthly and human condition.
We have to spend time praying and looking closely at the example of Christ, begging him for the grace of having the same intense interest and love for everyone, including those who may be considered our enemies. Thus, we cannot overemphasize the need for prayer and the other means that bring us closer to Christ: recourse to the sacraments, spirit of sacrifice, development of virtues, etc.
Let’s not be scared of the challenges to face, the difficulties to bear, the trials to go through. Rather let us consider them as golden opportunities to be like Christ and to show and prove the authenticity of our love.
And while we have our own past and future, let’s see to it that we meet and live fully the demands and opportunities of the present. “Carpe diem,” as they say, having that attitude of always discovering and seizing the opportunities of loving God and everyone else at the present moment.
Let us remember that God through Christ in the Holy Spirit is always intervening in our life. He is in everything we are in and is inviting us to join him in his life and work of love for all mankind.
If we realize this truth, this reality, there will never be a dull moment in our life. We would be taking active part in an exciting adventure that is programmed by God himself.
It’s really a choice we have to make: whether we want to be with God or simply to be by our own selves. The right choice to make is actually a no-brainer! Let’s go for it.
Email: roycimagala@gmail.com
