Oblates of St. Francis de Sales

New DeSales World Newsletter - Summer Edition

14TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (July 8, 2007)

Suggested Emphasis

"All that matters is that one be created anew."

Salesian Perspective

On any given day, most of us spend the bulk of our time, talent and energy dealing with and trying to balance all the things in life that are the most pressing: keeping appointments, making deadlines, surviving the daily commute, driving to/from soccer games, paying bills, shopping for food, managing the household, monitoring homework, eating, sleeping, etc., etc., etc.

Where are we supposed to find the time to do "what really matters: to be created anew?"

Pursuing things in life that really matter does not mean that we turn our backs on those things that are most pressing. Quite the contrary. Francis de Sales said: "Be careful and attentive to all the matters God has committed to your care: since God has entrusted them to you, God wishes that you have great care for them." You know, things like: keeping appointments, making deadlines, surviving the daily commute, driving to/from soccer games, paying bills, shopping for food, managing the household, monitoring homework, eating, sleeping, etc., etc., etc.

Keeping in mind the things that really matter means keeping in perspective all the things that keep us busy: "Do not be worried, that is, don't exert yourself over them with uneasiness, anxiety and forwardness," observed Francis de Sales. "Don't be worried about them, for worry disturbs reason and good judgment and prevents us from doing well the very things about which we are worried in the first place."

Living a happy, healthy and holy life isn't about having to choose between fulfilling our commitments and responsibilities or pursuing that which is most important: it's not an either/or proposition. In the Salesian tradition, it is only when we keep before our eyes what really matters - "that we be created anew" - that we can truly do justice to all the things that we find on our plates each day.

The most important thing for Jesus was to proclaim the power and the promise of the Good News of salvation, of redemption, of life, of love. However, as today's Gospel clearly demonstrates, pursuing the things that really matter generated more than a few "to-do" lists for Jesus and his disciples.

Throughout each day try to keep in mind and heart the things that really matter. Stay grounded in God's desire for you to be created anew; keep before your eyes the image of the gentle, humble Christ who walks with you throughout every moment of each day; recall God's invitation to you to embody the Good News in ways appropriate for the stage and circumstances of life in which you find yourself.

But don't take too much time. After all, we've got a lot on our plates today!

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