Dear Parishioners,
I have used this before, however, I really love this anecdote: There was a young farmer riding furiously on his horse. A startled passerby yelled at him saying: “Where are you going in such a hurry?” And he yelled back, “Don’t ask me. Ask the horse!”
If there is one phrase that stands out to describe our world today, it would be a “Culture of Overwhelm.” It is a culture where a crank is always turning; where there is an atmosphere of urgency behind every thought and behavior, a need for instant gratification, and a pervasive fear of missing out and missing the boat. We navigate through life mindlessly and when we are lost, we don’t want to stop for directions. We want to keep on going and figure it out along the way.
This isn’t an isolated incident among us human beings. We’re prone to commit the same mistake over and over. We get crazy-busy, hop here and there, move fast and get efficient. But efficient at what exactly? And where are we efficiently going? The problem, it seems, is that we ride furiously through life unmindful of a direction. We mostly “go with the flow.” But what happens is, instead of riding the horse, the horse is riding us. The horse could be our work, socials and even recreation. Anything that pulls us away from what matters most.
That’s the story of our relationship with God. After some time, we lose our first love for Jesus. We fall in love with so many things . . . our communities, ministries, spiritual knowledge, financial blessings or even our success in life. We start losing our focus on God. We get lost in the minute details of the background.
The Gospel this Sunday says that Mary chose the better part. Let's do the same. As part of our Summer, let us make this an opportunity to STOP. LOOK. LISTEN.
STOP and ask God for directions.
LOOK for the path God has laid out for you.
LISTEN for God’s guidance and pray desperately.
Have a great Summer!
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Lito