Right Here, Right Now
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Holiness: Is it found in the profound or in the ordinary?
Holiness is an easy endeavor. At least the spiritual writer, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, believes that is the case. In his book Abandonment to Divine Providence, de Caussade urges his readers to live in the moment and do what is right. When put in such terms, it does seem easy to be holy. But if it is so easy, why do I still gossip? Why do I still put my needs before the needs of my family? Why do I make excuses not to pray? Why am I not holy?
I believe the answer to these questions is very simple. I live life barely half aware. I like a world of big ideas. However, the Lord is often in the smallest detail. I live life with a neglect of the ordinary. My wife's care of the house, the routine of prayer and the needs of colleagues are all things that can get pushed out of the way by my concern for "the grand".
"The grand" is in the future. It is out there in a place of possibility. There will be time to pick it up, look at it and explore it. In the meantime, my wife needs my affection, my prayer needs time and my colleague needs my undivided attention. Holiness is first being aware of where I am right here, right now and responding in love.
I believe the answer to these questions is very simple. I live life barely half aware. I like a world of big ideas. However, the Lord is often in the smallest detail. I live life with a neglect of the ordinary. My wife's care of the house, the routine of prayer and the needs of colleagues are all things that can get pushed out of the way by my concern for "the grand".
"The grand" is in the future. It is out there in a place of possibility. There will be time to pick it up, look at it and explore it. In the meantime, my wife needs my affection, my prayer needs time and my colleague needs my undivided attention. Holiness is first being aware of where I am right here, right now and responding in love.
Acknowledgments
Copyright © 2009 Saint Mary's Press. Permission is granted for this article to be freely used for classroom or campus ministry purposes; however, it may not be republished in any form without the explicit permission of Saint Mary's Press. For more resources to support your ministry, call 800-533-8095 or visit our Web site at www.smp.org.Published August 15, 2003.
