Do With All Your Might
“Whatever you do, do with all your might.” ~ Cicero
You would think that when people do something, they would throw themselves into it 100%, wouldn’t you? That’s not always the case, though. More people than we might think only give half-hearted assent to what they are doing. While they are working on something, they are thinking about the next thing that needs to be done or about what they are going to do when they get home or about something coming up next week.
It seems that we have perfected the “art” of never being completely present. That is exemplified not only in our work but in our relationships with others. I have seen many people who have gone out to dinner with family and friends and who spend an inordinate amount of time on their cell phones, iPads, and other devices rather than paying attention to the people with whom they are dining.
I see the same thing from the sanctuary of the church while I am celebrating Mass. I see people on devices (not while singing the hymns since many use their devices for that at the present time in the pandemic), reading other material, talking with one another, and generally not being completely involved in the Mass.
When we talk about our spiritual lives, we are talking about our relationship with God. If our relationship with God is half-hearted, if we are not really present to Him when we pray, we are doing a disservice both to ourselves and to the Lord. God deserves more than a minimal amount of our time and attention. God gives Himself to us 100% and it would seem that, if we wanted a healthy relationship with God, we should attempt to do the same.
Some people might be afraid that if they give their total attention to the Lord they will not have the time needed for their family, jobs, and other necessary things. The contrary is true, however. Just as it is with Stewardship — the more we give to others the more we receive — it is also true regarding time spent with the Lord. The more we give to God the more we find the wherewithal to be with others. God gives us all that we need if we just give ourselves over to Him.
FAITH ACTION: Give yourself completely to living the faith today.