“If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.”
~ Laurence J. Peter
In the movie Sister Act 2, Whoopi Goldberg’s character confronted a group of students who were totally unmotivated. Because of that, they found themselves in trouble the vast majority of their time. Goldberg’s character recognized the talent that was in each of them and addressed them one day: “If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.” She challenged them to look within and see what they had to offer, to develop their talent that was buried deep within, and to get a move on with their lives.
She would agree with Laurence Peter’s quote, “If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.” The students were on course to end up in deep trouble. Instead, Goldberg’s character redirected them and got them moving in the right direction. They just had to wake up and pay attention.
It is often that way in our own lives. We fail to look deep within, to recognize the gifts that God has given to us, and to develop those gifts. We often allow ourselves to be in “coasting mode” in our lives. If anything, we allow others to care for us rather than looking out to care for others.
That was the mode of the Church prior to the Second Vatican Council. Because of the Council, the faithful were challenged quite powerfully to take ownership of the Church. They were encouraged to form Pastoral Councils. They were encouraged to involve themselves in ministries. Much of this was in response to a serious decrease in Church vocations. The main reason, however, was because each and every one of us comprises the Church, not just the priests and religious.
We want to go to heaven at the end of our days. We want to be considered faithful members of the Church while here on earth. However, if we are going to be considered thus, we must act like it. What does God want of you today? It’s time to wake up and pay attention. Know where you want to go and then do what you need to do to get there.
FAITH ACTION: Live your faith fully today.