| #3. My Daily Bread: A Right Intention in All Things |
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In all things you should have a right intention. That means you should have a supernatural purpose in whatever you think, do, or say. True you are often unaware of your motives, but as long as you are not in mortal sin, and your action agrees with Christ's Law you should have a right intention.
A right intention, however, may have different degrees of perfection. Thus, when you do something to please God, your intention is higher than if you think of your own advantage. Still, whatever be the degree of your right intention it always seeks to fulfill God's Will, and it always brings you to a greater good than any intention which seeks only your earthly welfare.
Regardless of feelings, moods, prejudices, or preferences, strive to maintain a right intention at all times. As soon as your natural desires contradict God's Will, check them as you would check any other foolish intention.
Do not let life's daily events disturb nor affect you too much. Seek to know God' Will and to accept it in all things. With this pure intention, you will have a deep interior peace. This is Christ's gift to those who let Him govern their lives.
A person's intention tends to become dim as he proceeds through his daily occupations. Gradually he is influenced more by pleasure or self-satisfaction. Therefore, renew your pure intention at different times during the day by praying and asking Christ to help you.
Recall your Heavenly goal from time to time. Let there be nothing great, nothing high, nothing pleasant, nothing acceptable to you unless it helps you follow God's Will. Consider all useless consolations and sinful pleasures as so much worthless money.
One who truly loves Christ, hates everything which holds him back from Christ. This can be very difficult due to worldy desires and what we are taught by the world from an early age. Just remember Christ alone, the eternal, infinate God, the Perfect Joy of the soul, can bring true peace and unending happiness in your heart.
Think:
Where are the pleasures and joys of last year? For the most part gone and forgotten. If they made me worse, I shall find death and judgement a little harder to face. Why do I fail to value things according to God's way of thinking? He wants me to live a sinless and useful life. (Although God understands that living a sinless life is impossible for us, and is only achieved by his grace)Even my pleasures should improve me in some way, and make me better able to do my work. Heaven is far greater than I can ever deserve. Still I should try each day to be a little less unworthy of it.
Pray:
Lord, what You say is true. Grant that I may follow Your words in my daily life. Your truth shall teach me, guide me, and protect me. May it deliver me from all evil desires and foolish love. Let me esteem nothing as great, or valuable, or wonderful, except insofar as it makes me better and more pleasing in Your eyes. In this way I shall never be a slave of this earth, but shall walk daily towards Heaven with a holy freedom of heart.
Amen |
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