Excellence or Nothing

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Excellence or Nothing

The 18 year old joyfully shrieked to her mother as she read the letter from a prestigious university, “I made it. They have accepted my application.” “Yippee and Yippee some more,” she happily shouted. “I am so elated that I can’t put my feelings into words,” she gushed with great joy. He mother was also enjoying her daughter’s jubilation in being accepted by one of the most prestigious universities, but she added a note of caution as she submitted a motherly warning to her daughter, “It will take a lot of discipline and hard work to reach your goal of graduation. You will be entering one of the most demanding educational institutions in the country. It will not accept anything less than your best effort and success.” The daughter acknowledged her mother’s caution with a nod and a shrug which seemed to say, “I get it Mom, but I do not want to think of the hard work and mighty challenges in my future. I just want to celebrate for now.”

Reaching any really worthwhile goal takes dedication, commitment, and much hard work. Taking a less arduous path does not lead to great success and rewarding achievement; often it leads to nothing but mediocrity or less. In order for a student to achieve academic excellence or for an athlete to succeed in an athletic endeavor, the student or athlete must faithfully follow a code of conduct, which will include discipline, a mental outlook that overcomes disappointment and temporary setbacks, and an unwavering commitment to the ideal one wants to realize. No halfway, lukewarm thrusts will “make it happen.” There are no shortcuts to success when attempting to succeed in the most worthy and challenging endeavors. Also changing the rules to suit a less arduous effort does not work; the real goal will not be embraced.

As it is in the realization of academic success at a demanding educational institution or in an athletic event, when one seeks eternal happiness with one’s Creator, God, the need for discipline and a total commitment to the goal, union with God, are intensely demanding. No excuses will be accepted. The student or athlete who will not accept the direction and tools that will lead to achievement drifts into failure. The same holds true for the individual who says union with God is his goal, but refuses to follow the direction and admonishments of the Church founded by Jesus. One cannot cast aside the commands of God and His Church because they are inconvenient or do not match the cultural trends of the day. As demanding and challenging as are the roads to academic and athletic success, the road to heaven and happiness is even more demanding. There are no shortcuts to Heaven…none….none.

G.K. Chesterton succinctly stated, “”The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.” Are you going to be the Christian who leaves it untried and fails to achieve the ultimate success, happiness with God? As it is true for the student and the athlete, there are no shortcuts or rule changes on the road to heaven. The consequences of the failure to follow the direction of Christ’s Church are the failure to attain eternal happiness with God and the experiencing of the worst failure…. nothingness…the ultimate nothingness, forever.

Suggested Reading:

“What’s Wrong with the World”, G.K. Chesterton, Ignatius Press  Chapter five

 

Talk to Me

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Talk to Me

The young bride whispered into her husband’s ear, “Talk to Me,” only to receive a response of, “What do you want to talk about?”  Exasperated she would begin to talk constantly to him, regardless of the fact that he barely listened to her ramblings. Over the years she grew to understand that her man, the one she dearly loved, was not a talkative communicator, but rather a “get to the point” or “what is the bottom line” type guy. She grudgingly adapted to his style of communicating; relatively short, precise conversations, punctuated with a minimum of details. It was such a challenge for her that, on some occasions, she would demand her loved one to “sit down and listen to all the gory details.” He would dutifully obey this command….just as long as it was rather infrequent. The two lovers learned to effectively converse in several different ways – it may be a look across the room which shouts, “I love you” or a light touch of approval on the shoulder that transferred a feeling only the two them felt and understood.  Over the years of dating and then marriage, the couple developed a style of communication and love that fit both of their personalities and requirements.

Human conversations and other types of communication lead to a deeper understanding of others. Fortunately, the gift of communication is not limited to humans. God invites us to frequently commune with Him. The saints have advised us to “pray always.” Prayer is man’s communication vehicle with God. As important as is his communication with fellow humans, man must emphasize and use his essential communication links with God. These links, especially prayer, are of paramount importance and are not to be ignored. “He who fails to pray does not cheat God. He cheats himself” is a mantra of many saints.

Let us make note of that which is not prayer. “Genuine prayer is never “good works,” an exercise, or pious attitude, but it is always the prayer of a child to a Father.” Good works are just that – good works and are an essential part of living a Christian life. However, they are not prayers.

St. Therese of Lisieux described prayer as “simply a raising of the heart towards Heaven, an expression of love and gratitude in the midst of trial, as well as in times of joy; in a word, it is something noble and supernatural expanding my soul and uniting to God.”  The Catholic Catechism states that “the life of prayer is the habit of being in the presence of the thrice-holy God and in communion with him.” Simply stated, prayer is the heart of man meeting God.

Is prayer really necessary or important? Absolutely, “As breath is to the body, prayer is to the soul.”  Jesus often prayed and for extended periods of time. Mary the Mother of God advises us to pray frequently. Then one may ask, “How does one pray best to God?” Another way to pose this question is, “What are the components of prayer”? Prayer has several components including the following.

  • Firstly, an open and loving heart. No self- righteousness or disdain for others is compatible with prayers to God. Open the prayer with a request for forgiveness of all one’s sins, thus helping to remove barriers between you and God.
  • Secondly, quietness (silence) within the mind and heart, free from external thoughts and concerns. Make your prayer truly a personal and intimate encounter with God. Keep in mind that you are conversing with the author of love.
  • Thirdly, be in a conversational mode, listen to God. A conversation is a two way experience. Do not prattle on and on without taking time to listen to God. He will answer your prayer, but will you listen for it?

Remember the anticipation, the beating of the heart with joyful expectation, which you experienced as you waited to see and talk with your loved one.  Then take time to consider the love and joy one can receive from a conversation with the author of all love. Oh wow, think about it; the all-consuming Love is available to each one of us! Enjoy a conversation with God; talk with Him. Pray always….Always!

Suggested reading:

“The Story of A Soul” by St. Therese of Lisieux, TAN Books and Publishing

“The Rosary” by Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, C.F.R. , Ignatius Press

http://www.ewtn.com/Devotionals/prayers/  An extensive list of prayers.

http://www.catholic.org/prayers/   More discussion about prayers