Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

7TH SUNDAY OF EASTER (May 20, 2007)

Suggested Emphasis

"I bring with me the reward that will be given to you as your conduct deserves."

Salesian Perspective

Today's selection from the Book of Revelation reminds us of the end for which we are created: eternal life with Christ, the Alpha and the Omega. The reading also reminds us that the end for which we are created will include the end of life, as we know it: an end that includes being rewarded, as our conduct on earth deserves.

Notwithstanding God's compassion, God's love, God's forgiveness and God's mercy, each of us will experience this end - and its accompanying judgment - personally.

Still, the Salesian tradition challenges us to recognize the deeper reality of the "end" - or purpose - for which we are created, for which we live: namely, to love. Love not only prepares us for death. Love makes it possible for us to truly live here on earth.

Echoing the words of St. Paul, St. Francis de Sales wrote in his Treatise on the Love of God: "Love has a perfection which contains the virtue of all perfections and the perfection of all the virtues. Hence, love is patient, is kind, and is not envious, but generous. Love is not pretentious, but prudent. Love is not puffed up with pride but is humble. Love is not ambitious or disdainful, but amiable and affable. Love is not eager to exact all that belongs to it but is generous and helpful. Love is not provoked, but is peaceful. Love thinks no evil but is gentle. Love does not rejoice over wickedness but rejoices with truth. Love suffers all things, believes all things that pertain to all that is good without obstinacy, contention or distrust. Love hopes for all good things for others without ever losing hope of salvation. Love endures all things, awaiting without anxiety the good promised." (Treatise on the Love of God, Book Eleven, Chapter 8). In conclusion, "love is that fine gold, tried by fire, that contains the price of all things, can do all things, and does all things."

This kind of life - this kind of love - truly is our end, the purpose for which we are born, the purpose for which we live, the purpose for which we long, the purpose for which God will one day call us home to himself forever.

Truly, such a life - such a love - is, indeed, its own reward.

Why wait until heaven to experience it?

Rev. Michael S. Murray, OSFS, is the Executive Director of the De Sales Spirituality Center.