By Francis Fernandez-Carvajal
5/58.3 The full meaning of life and creation can only be found in God.
Our faith in Christ should be shown in the little details of our everyday life. In the course of our daily lives, we must look up at the sky, at God, the supreme and final aim of all our desires and strivings.[6110]
When we look at God with eyes of faith, then we will be able to understand the eternal truths: historical events and events in our lives will take on a new meaning; pain and suffering will become comprehensible; our work will acquire a transcendental significance as an offering made to God.
The Christian should not run away from earthly realities. He can receive them from God, and respect and reverence them as flowing constantly from the hand of God.[6111] The behaviour of the Christian will be animated by this new attitude: Grateful to his benefactor for these creatures, using and enjoying them in detachment and liberty of spirit, man is led forward into true possession of them, as having nothing, yet possessing all things. ‘All are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s’ (1 Cor 3:22-23).[6112] St Paul recommended to the first Christians at Philippi: Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.[6113]
The Christian acquires a true grandeur of soul when he becomes accustomed to referring temporal realities to God. He takes advantage of the circumstances and events of his life to give thanks to God, to ask for help, to seek pardon for sins and failings ... Since he never forgets that he is a son of God twenty-four hours a day, he never gets overly wrapped up in problems. He sees with supernatural vision the real value of things. Rush, rush, rush! Hustle and bustle! Feverish activity! The mad urge to dash about. Amazing material structures ...
On the spiritual level ... shams, illusions: flimsy backdrops, cheesecloth scenery, painted cardboard ... Hustle and bustle! And a lot of people running. It is because they work thinking only of ‘today’; their vision is limited to ‘the present’. But you must see things with the eyes of eternity, ‘keeping in the present’ what has passed and what has yet to come.
Calmness. Peace. Intense life within you. Without that wild hurry. Without that mad urge for change. From your own place in life, like a powerful generator of spiritual energy, you will give light and vigour to ever so many without losing your own vitality and your own light.[6114]
Let us cast ourselves upon the mercy of the Lord so that He will grant us this gift, the ability to live by faith. Then we will walk on the earth with our eyes fixed on Jesus.
In Conversation With God
ICWG is rich and extensive enough to serve as your spiritual reading for a lifetime, as it helps you relate the particulars of the message of Christ to the ordinary circumstances of your day.
In Conversation With God
[6110] Blessed John Paul II, Angelus, 8 September 1979
[6111] Second Vatican Council, Gaudium et spes, 37
[6112] ibid
[6113] Phil 4:8
[6114] St. J. Escrivá, The Way, 837
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rev. Francis Fernandez-Carvajal
Rev. Francis Fernández-Carvajal is a Priest of the Opus Dei Prelature and the author of many popular spiritual works. His seven-volume series In Conversation with God provides over 500 meditations to be used throughout the liturgical year. It has sold over 2 million copies and has been translated into many languages.
Rev. Francis Fernandez-Carvajal
Rev. Francis Fernández-Carvajal is a Priest of the Opus Dei Prelature and the author of many popular spiritual works. His seven-volume series In Conversation with God provides over 500 meditations to be used throughout the liturgical year. It has sold over 2 million copies and has been translated into many languages.
