Union with God

Gratitude is the path to God. So too is contrition.--S.C. Biela, from his book, "The Two Pillars"

 

How is it that I complain about anything? Why do I moan about my trials as if I do not need them? The answer is pride, and an ungrateful heart. We are called to thankfulness. Consider this: The most important sacrifice we will ever participate in is called the Eucharist, or, "The Thanksgiving". It is The Sacrifice of praise. This is the foundation of our lives as Catholics. From the Eucharist, the "Thanksgiving", blooms our entire faith. This is where we are called to build from. This foundation of gratefulness is the "source and summit" of who we are, to paraphrase Pope John Paul 2. We are given a wonderful example of this attitude of gratefulness and contrition in Jesus' story of the Publican and the sinner. The Publican, a believer in God, raises his head full of pride for how beautifully and faithfully he lives for God. He looks across the way at the sinner and is smugly 'grateful' he is not like this man. The sinner bows his head, beats his chest, and cries for mercy with a contrite spirit. Jesus said the sinner walked away right with God. The Publican walked away in darkness, thinking he is in light. We have to really think about this kind of stuff daily, it is vital to our relationship and union with God. There is great freedom in being grateful, and having a contrite heart.

 

wkm