Why Am I Alive?

 

Why am I alive.  I think that is not an uncommon question, especially among those undergoing some trials, and perhaps some elderly who don’t see a future.  And many of the “wise and good” people of our society are saying: “Let’s help them die in peace.  Euthanasia is good thing to do.”  They might even say it’s a loving thing to do, but whether they’d admit it or not, I believe such actions would only display how much these “good people” are caring for themselves --- “getting these people out of their way.”  Getting back to the original question, the answer is NOT that we were born to die when things get rough.  Pain and suffering, and death, are a part of life, but there is a reason each of us is alive, a reason for the moment we are living in, NOW, even if it is a moment of suffering.

None of us created our life; all life is a gift of God.  After we are given life, that is when we take control, to use this gift as we believe He would have us do, so when this human life ends and as our eternal life continues, we will meet Him face-to-face, and we will ask Him: “How did I do?  Did I do what you wanted me to?”

In recent days, things I am doing have opened up my past to me, and what this gift of my life is about, and in particular, some of the things which impacted other people.  The culture would have us believe our life is totally ours, and we should focus on ourselves.  But I’ve been shown, clearly, how my life didn’t even have to happen, and shown through another’s example that perhaps it was even probable that my life shouldn’t have happened.  It truly is a gift of God.  And recently I ran across some old correspondence, in which some people described to me how in utter desolation they were; they had no hope.  They wrote as if this letter were their last words.  Then God put me in their lives, and through me He gave them hope.  Events that happened weren’t things I controlled or planned, but God knew what they needed, and when I showed up they felt just a little bit of love.  When all hope is lost, the love of The Father is still there, and I was His instrument.

My life didn’t have to happen, but if I were not alive, I don’t know what would have happened to those people, and what they might have done in their despair.  We are not in this world alone, to make ourselves happy.  That is what Adam and Eve chose to do.  We are in this world, among other people, now, for a reason.  Some of us have a vocation, which sets us in contact with others to love.  Love them.  God didn’t create us as robots with a pre-destination, nor for random reasons.  A loving Father gave us the gift of life, so we could choose to do what He created us for, and then come home to Him.

(I just heard Fr. John Riccardo’s latest podcast; he spoke basically the same thing ---- in much better words than mine.)

Using Talents Wisely

 

The morning sun peeked through the clouds as I began my drive to church today.  God shines on all His creation, even me.  As I slowed for the red light at the intersection near church, a very tiny black squirrel ran into the road, stopping in the center turn lane just in front of me.  I crept up a little and he darted back across the road, but instead of continuing further on into the woods there, he walked along the curb, and when he came to the pedestrian crosswalk lines, he began crossing again towards me, and in front of me, where he stopped.  And the light turned green.  Then, I drove into the left turn lane to get around him, and I hoped cars around me would see him and avoid him also.  And as I passed, he started to dart into the center of the cross-traffic lanes.  I didn’t see what happened next, but said a quick prayer for all creation as I entered the church.

The Gospel today was on the Parable of the Talents, and the servants who invested wisely, and the one who buried the single talent he received, yielding nothing with it.  I’ve often contemplated that parable.  I have been blessed with many talents, and wondered how well I was using them.  The priest, reflecting on the Gospel, commented that EVERYTHING we have, even our very lives, are a gift from God.  They are the talents He has given us.  We are to use our lives to grow physically AND spiritually, and to share those gifts.  That is how we multiply our talents in a way pleasing to God.  Some, however, only use those gifts selfishly; that is like burying them in the ground.  Investing our talents wisely, however, can be difficult.  Satan knows our weaknesses; he’s seen our whole lives.  He will suggest what we do with our talents, and his suggestions will sound like good things, but he knows the results will be bad, --- “look at the great good I did!!” --- prideful things.  The priest suggested that we all need a spiritual financial advisor, an expert in this area like the ones we use for our money investments.  He suggested Mary be our spiritual investment advisor.  She knows what is most pleasing to her Son, and will pray that we receive the graces to see His will for using the talents He gave us wisely.  No one will see to a better use of our talents than the One who gifted them to us --- although Satan will try to give us “some better ideas.”

I just finished Dan Burke’s talks on his book, Discernment of Spirits, which is based on of St. Ignatius’ book of the same title.  Anyone listening to Burke’s examples will see himself, his life, and many of the ways he has lived, and see Satan’s temptations in his life.  Burke’s talks give us prayers which we could/should pray often, to refute, in the name of Jesus, our daily temptations.  When Burke’s talks become available to the public, I will post the link here and share with my friends.

Meanwhile, I now think that on many of my days I am like that little black squirrel.  I have received the gift of life, and so many things seem interesting, will satisfy my desires for pleasure, for myself, that it is confusing to choose which way to go.  But out there is evil also like the cars which can crush the black squirrel in an instant, and his talents will yield nothing.  I agree that I do need a spiritual financial advisor, to guide me to use my talents wisely, safely, so they can grow.  I know what I am tempted to --- and have --- used them for, unwisely.  I will try to pray more, when I feel myself uncertain or upset in any way.

Because, I want to use those talents, those gifts, to become who --- in His deep love --- He created me to be.

- - - - - - - - - -

I glanced around the intersection as I began home from mass.  I saw no evidence of the little squirrel’s death.  Thank You, Lord. 

Are You An Alien?

Imagine an alien was discovered living in our world.  Maybe he (or it) lived way out in the woods, or under the sea.  Maybe he lived in caves or underground.  Maybe they lived in groups of male and female, each living with a different focus, perhaps collecting reproductive eggs once a year and putting them in a hole, where they could unite and grow up, alone, without guidance, and they learn what comes naturally, while not being a trouble to their “parents”.  And, maybe when we start to be able to communicate with them, we find that they are more intelligent than any AI we could produce.

What would the internet headlines be?  What would be the chatter?  What would you think --- especially if they were found in your back yard?

I don’t know the answer to any of those questions, but the thoughts came to me after reading some articles, written by people who seem to represent a growing part of our culture.  They speak about what a person is, and heavily emphasize the importance of each person --- to themselves --- as they move to be who or what they want to be.  Not part of any generational group, any religion, or even any sex.  They are who they want to be, and live as they want to live.  They write of this proudly.

They live in different lifestyles.  They seek friends with only people who largely think as they do, although they treasure their independence, not wanting to be a part of any “clique.”  They set their own goals, and standards.  Many seem very intelligent.  And most live alone, are alone, and sound very lonely.  They sound not too different than the description written above of an alien.  They act as if they are from another planet, because human life on this planet has evolved, and has faith in God.  They reject any evolutionary history, or faith.  They will be who they want to be.  They create themselves.  They act as if they each were the sole God of the universe.

But there is one thing they truly are each unique on, something they seem to not have thought about, or put any importance to.  They speak as if they have no ultimate purpose, no reason for existing, now or in the future.  “I have no purpose” --- it sounds like almost a perfect reason for suicide, whether just for myself or taking the whole world with me.  Why not?

Is this the track of those who must get their way --- and think you must agree?  Being intelligent, how can they think that only 10 or 15 years ago they suddenly leaped the slow track of evolution or growth in faith or wisdom, but suddenly THEY KNOW. 

Evolution of species talks about survival of the fittest.  The Christian faith talks about growing in faith, holiness, and into eternal life.  Human life has always been seen as having a purpose, as had all of God’s creation.  And starting with the Jewish people, God taught them that purpose, and with Jesus Christ, showed it to them.  Putting it simply, He showed how God loves us, and we should grow in love of Him and each other, until our ultimate union as one, in Love. With Him.

If we choose to be one in ourselves, we certainly are an alien to this human race and its evolution.  We could go to another planet, and yes, we could commit suicide --- because we don’t belong here, OR, we can start at the beginning again, to see where we lost track.  Who is that God?  What can He do for me?  What does He want me to do?  Why?

And in His answer to that “why”, we will find meaning and purpose to life.  And great joy, and expectation of never-ending joy, beyond our imagination.

And get back on that track to being fully human, and part of the human family again.