Editorial
Pulled from the Shelf
Rev. Raymond Petrucci
Disconcerting and unsettling feelings arise from the all too frequent news that a product has to be removed from the shelves of our retail stores because of some form of contamination. We listen intently to the information identifying the offending item. Perhaps, we go to our refrigerator or pantry to examine the products that we have bought in order to determine their safety. The extremely cautious might throw out the product even if it is not on the list indicating the type, date, or source of the contaminated item. Would it not be wonderful if people were as concerned about those things that contaminate their spiritual well-being as they are about their physical well-being? How much more civilized the world would be if people immediately dedicated themselves to addressing those thoughts, words, and deeds that create hatred and division among them.
We have not surrendered our lives to bloodless evil, but neither are we in fiery pursuit of goodness. We stare into an abyss so deep we cannot glimpse its bottom, and at the same time raise our eyes to the mountaintops that are unreachable. And we stand between them wavering, unsettled and uncommitted.
Hildegarde of Bingen
Many among us would say that it is naïve to think that human beings would want to face their sins and to actually do something about them. Humanity is too shallow and self-consumed to care about the impact of their actions on others. People would put much more energy into repairing their technology than in repairing themselves. The admonition of Socrates that, "The unexamined life is not worth living" would struggle to find a hearing today. We might as well forget about it. Mankind is free, but they use their God-given freedom in a way that magnifies wickedness rather than manifesting virtue.
I am not a person who tends to favor trendy terms and phrases; I should be happy not to hear: "narrative," going forward," or "empower" for a lengthy period of time. There, however, is a saying that has not exceeded my tolerance level: "Live your best life." What is our "best life?" The answer to this question might be couched in what we call living the "good life" and defined by material possessions. We all define the "good life" in our own way and the proper understanding and use of material possessions can bring satisfaction within earthly limitations. If we were to raise the question to a higher plane, the best life would be explained in spiritual terms. The material and the spiritual, the passing and the enduring, the mortal and the eternal are realities that need perspective and prioritizing in order to accomplish living your best life.
This issue of Spirituality for Today encompasses a timeframe that includes both Advent and the beginning of Lent. These seasons are perfect for examining both contamination and what we need to pull from the shelf of our lives. Perhaps, qualities such as solitude and patience are hard to come by in this time that includes Christmas, New Years, and a number of other holidays as well. Yet, perseverance can lead to marked spiritual growth. We need to take to heart the words of Saint Teresa of Avila, "Settle yourself in solitude and you will come upon God in yourself." How is it possible to live our humanity completely if it is not with the awareness of the indwelling of God that fulfills us. We all have ways of living that should be pulled from the shelf and other qualities that deserve to be placed on the shelf. Prayerfulness and a spiritually influenced free will make us capable of truly living our best life.