Too many people devote most of their time and energy to pursuing money and career success. They attend the best schools and climb the corporate ladder until they reach the top. Yet when they finally arrive, they often discover that the view is not as satisfying as they expected and are longing for something more.
In many cases, the more wealth a person acquires, the more he wants. Financial experts often call this lifestyle creep. We buy a better car, move into a bigger house, take more expensive vacations, and accumulate more possessions. The problem is that these things never fully satisfy us. No matter how wealthy we become, there will always be something else to buy or another level to reach.
There is nothing wrong with pursuing a career that we enjoy and that allows us to use our talents to provide for our families. However, money cannot make us truly happy. It may increase our comfort, but it cannot satisfy the deeper longing within us. So how do we satisfy that longing?
God created each of us to share in the love of the Trinity. That relationship brings the fulfillment we seek, and no amount of money can replace it. To experience that fulfillment, we must make the pursuit of God a priority in our lives.
Some people question why they need to attend Mass every Sunday. They insist that they are good people and that they pray every day. Children and even adults may complain that Mass is boring, but that complaint often stems from a lack of understanding of what is taking place.
The Mass offers us a glimpse of Heaven. Those who find the Mass boring will likely find Heaven unappealing as well and may ultimately choose not to enter into the life God offers there. Through the Mass, we express our love for God. The music, prayers, smells, and bells all direct our hearts toward Him. In Heaven, we will worship God forever in a way far more glorious than anything we experience on earth.
Despite the love and joy God invites us to share with Him, some people choose to worship themselves and their own pursuits instead. They may gain what they believe is their life, but they lose sight of life’s true purpose. The question should never be, “Why do I have to go to Mass?” Rather, it should be, “Why wouldn’t I want to?”
Pursuing God often requires sacrifice. It may mean giving up opportunities to do other things we would rather do. We have only so much energy to give and only so many hours in a day. Yet when we freely offer our time, talent, and treasure to God, we may seem to lose part of our life. In reality, we gain eternal life and discover true fulfillment.
