Fr. Don's Daily Reflection - October 16, 2024
Psalm 62: “In you alone is my soul at rest. My help comes from You.”
Work or struggle or effort, none of these is the opposite of happiness. In fact, the more we live and reflect on living the more we find that all three of them contribute to happiness. They are part of the odd mix that makes for contentment, peace, satisfaction. A life without work, challenge, one can even say some discomfort or antagonism quickly becomes insipid and dull.
The opposite of happiness is probably meaninglessness or uselessness, rather than pain or effort. Something in us demands the opportunity to use our abilities and our strength. The fact that some sort of struggle, whether in an action film or in the account of Saint Paul's travels, catches our attention, attests to how basic this is to our makeup.
It is hard to think of a compelling story that doesn't involve someone facing obstacles and somehow resolving the situation. The young heroine must overcome parental objections. The knight must save the damsel locked in the castle. The physically challenged young man somehow becomes the successful athlete. What might be most difficult for many of us is seeing how the daily, grinding effort and endurance that must go into our endeavor is ever going to lead to something better.
Some of these same stories can provide us with the encouragement to stay with it. In fact, the example of persistence over a long time in some cause is more likely to help us than some dramatic, one-time victory. Perhaps, we need look no further than our parents, our children, some of our friends, for instances of unsung persistence and faithful effort.
Psalm 27: “I believe I shall see the Lord’s goodness / in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong; / be stouthearted, and wait for the Lord!”
