House Cleaning

If we are to live a more purposeful life,
a life with meaning,
a life that satisfies,
a life that is loving and relational,

then we have to learn to identify the different voices within us that call us in different directions,
directions that are not always life giving.

That's what happened to Jesus when he was led into the wilderness to be tempted by the enemy to life.
Jesus had to choose which voice he was going to listen to: the voice of death or the voice of life.

There is a spirituality to such inner recognition and choice.
It is a spirituality that needs to be learned and practiced.

But that's only part of the story.

In order to listen for the voice of Life and Love, we need to clear away the clutter and distractions that are also within us.

Inner noise, clutter and distraction may seem harmless enough, but if it is consuming all of our consciousness, then there is no room left for us to be aware of the Love that is God, and to cooperate with that Love in how we relate to others.

We are actually temples of the Holy Spirit.
We are made in the image of God.
Made to be in open and intentional relationship with God and every other person.

Such intentional relationship is the purpose of our lives.
It is at the heart of the mission of the Church.

In order for us to cooperate with God's Divine Life within us, we will need to do a little house cleaning.
Jesus cleanses the temple of the idols that do not reflect the will of the Father.
Likewise we need to put aside the unimportant things that are taking up too much of our heart and mind and leaving us tired and grey.
And then to focus on the Love which alone can brighten our day and give us life.