Men's Rosary

Our human nature has us wanting from the time we are born.  We want for food, for toys, favorite treats and the like.  As we grow the wants grow as well.  We want for a bike, then a car, televisions, computers, phones, the list is inexhaustible.  “Want” is simply a strong desire to do or possess something.  After decades of wanting, I have come to realize the differentiation in wanting and what is the healthier wanting. 

Wants are part and parcel of living, of being human and in the world.  As children we are less accountable for the ordered nature of our wants,  but as we age more is required.  As adults we enter into the realm of work and status.  The important job, high earnings, home, cars, personal possessions, and social connections become driving forces.  In fact, the world requires these to be of prime importance.  I do not refute the fact that to be responsible, these things are important;  to a certain degree.  We should strive to be productive, have an income to provide for ourselves and family, a home to protect us, dependable transportation, clothing and all that.  I would posit that wanting these things is good.  But what if the things we want were simply gifts from the result of a more perfect and defined want?  They are!

The only thing we should genuinely want for is God.  There is nothing good without him.  The ordered desire we should seek is love of God.  “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.”  (Psalm 42:1) I have mentioned this previously;  we are not in control. The mistake, and I have made it before, is to think it all depends on you and that every need and problem must be resolved through your own efforts.  This is far from the truth.  We have a mentor, a guide, a protector.  Why not seek him out in all things?  “It is the Lord who goes before you.  He will be with you;  he will not leave you or forsake you.  Do not fear or be dismayed.”  (Deuteronomy 31:8)  Wanting for God, seeking him out in all things is where our stability will be found.  This is where all good things will be given us.  In this state of being we will come to understand that even the things that seem bad are good and to our benefit, when seen in the context of God’s will and plan for our life.  Those things, while good, will come in God’s time, not ours.  We will receive the portion of worldly things that God deems is enough for us.  It is of no importance that which the world dictates is enough.  “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”  (1 John 2:17)

It seems that the measure of a person is too often equated to financial net worth.  So we work hard to arrive at some predetermined number that somehow sums up what our life is, was or has been.  It is not the level of success in the world that is important.  The measure of a man is how much he has loved.  How much he has trusted in God.  How much he has aligned his life with God’s will.  How much he has thirsted and wanted for God.  How much he thanks God for what he has and is happy with it.   “Keep your life from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave or forsake you.’  So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper;  I will not fear;  what can man do to me?’”  (Hebrews 13:5-6)  It is important to include God in everything that we do and do everything for the Lord;  every thought, word and action.  I have often told my children, now adults, that as long as we do what we are supposed to do, all will work out.  This was something my father always told me.  Putting that into the context of faith it is plain to see that the thing we are supposed to do is to seek out God and want for him only.  Everything else will work out and it is all gift. Nothing makes sense or is worth having that is not found in the spirituality of our Faith. “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”  (Proverbs 16:3)

May we be men who work hard to provide for and protect our families.  May we be men who have means to help those in need and support our parish and communities.  However, let us remember that we must be men of prayer who humbly seek God and know that everything is gift from him.  May we be men who always remember to give thanks to God….for the good and the “bad”.   “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.  And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:5-6)

“If you purify your soul of attachment to or desire for things, you will understand them spiritually.  If you deny your appetite for them, you will enjoy their truth, understanding what is certain in them.”  (St. John of the Cross)