Sunday, September 18, 2011

Are We Longing?

St. Paul said to the Philippians in today's second reading (Phil 1:23):

I long to depart this life and be with Christ, for that is far better.

I almost skimmed past that statement without really thinking about it.

Are we really longing to depart this life?

Are we really?

Then what are we collecting all this stuff for?  

Why are we worrying about all the things we worry about?

Why aren't we spending our time differently?* 

Of course, I want to be in Heaven with Jesus as much as you do.  But if aliens came down from outer space and looked at my life, there is no way they would say I was "longing to depart this life."

Not by a long shot. 

God Bless you.

*  Now that I am an honorary author over at the Community of Catholic Bloggers, I thought it would be fun to do two posts on the same topic.  So click over to my post there to see the mathematical equation St. Paul inspired me to create ....  then read the posts from the other authors for some actual good content ;)

5 comments:

Victor S E Moubarak said...

Hi Michael,

Great post as usual. Thank you.

God bless.

Unknown said...

Longing to depart this life~ I always admired this in not just Paul but many of the saints; it is a sign of detachment from this world and the people, places and things of it. Most of us, at least I am, still too attached, but working on not being so.
Thanks for another insightful post, Michael.

Mary N. said...

You've got a point here, Michael. If I was longing for God so much why do I worry about stuff here? And why do I have so many books? (And other "things".)It's not like I can take them with me when I go.

I've been enjoying your "Quick Bytes" over on the Community Blog, Michael and I'm so glad you've joined in with us!

PH said...

"Why are we worrying about all the things we worry about?"

And I worry about that.

No, really, thoughtful post - and a really difficult thing to talk about. Is better to be with the Lord - do I believe that? Looking at my beautiful picture (soon to be published, lol) of St. Teresa of Liseaux helps - it does. To think of the ordinary people who have come before us, and believed so well, so beautifully, so perfectly. I hope I get there.

God bless you Michael.

Penny

Anonymous said...

Great reminder Michael!
Andie