We readily ask him to protect our families, bless our work, heal our illnesses, and make our plans succeed. But how much time do we give to prayer, to the Gospel, or to the needs of others? We want God to take an interest in everything that concerns us, while sometimes showing little interest in what concerns him.
Nous lui demandons de protéger notre famille, de bénir notre travail, de guérir nos maladies et de faire réussir nos projets. Mais quelle place donnons-nous à la prière, à l’Évangile et aux besoins des autres ? Nous voulons que Dieu s’intéresse à tout ce qui nous concerne, alors que nous nous intéressons parfois si peu à ce qui lui tient à cœur.
« Do I reflect the goodness of Jesus? Am I gentle when I am provoked? Am I humble when I am right? Am I able to forgive when someone hurts me? Does my presence bring peace, or does it create further division? In every circumstance, do I genuinely strive to imitate the character of Jesus? Being a Christian, therefore, is not simply a matter of belonging to a religion. It means gradually becoming another Christ to the people God places along our path. »
« To believe also means to love. There is no true faith without charity. When we do good to someone, lift up a discouraged brother or sister, or give food to someone who is hungry, we experience a profound joy within us. In those moments, we feel that our lives have meaning and that we truly matter. Indeed, love makes us even freer. For when we love, we move beyond ourselves, break the chains of selfishness, and discover the joy of living for others. «
