Appreciating life in its totality

APPRECIATING LIFE IN ITS TOTALITY

Cl. Mario D’Couto SDB

            Reality is an experience of the Divine, inexhaustible in its richness. What we receive from it depends on God’s grace and the quality of our presence to it. In dying to ourselves – to our fears, desires, needs, prejudices, differences – all of which distort reality, we can group with St. Paul, “…. The breadth and the length, the height and the depth; until, knowing the love of Christ, which is beyond all knowledge, you are filled with the utter fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:18-19)

            Each of us needs in some way to experience a similar return to life. We need to develop a reverent presence of reality and a gentle desire to understand the directions that come through each situation. It is in the ordinary events of life that one draws out the most profound insights as a saying goes, “Let nature be your teacher.” But too often our minds are pre – occupied with the petty things of our lives. I do not disregard their importance in any way but it is just that all too often we fail to appreciate the fullness of life in all its depth and meaning.


            Most of us live by sight but rarely by insight. May we learn to savour the richness of everyday life in whatever we do, to appreciate the work of the Lord in all that we do, so as to give Him praise and thanks. 

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