Day 32, we are making it! So Thomas thoroughly enjoys his week at the Trappist monastery. He would love to join but after being told "no" by the Franciscans he is embarrassed to bring it up so doesn't. He feels he needs to accept that he doesn't having a calling to be a priest. He marvels at these men, who the world would not see as successful, doing great things for God. He meets a novice monk who quit being an airline pilot to join so he could praise God. He writes:
The logic of worldly success rests on a fallacy: the strange error that our perfection depends on the thoughts and opinions and applause of other men! pg 330
How true this has been in my own life. How often I am worried about what others think, or am I looking for praise from others? Shouldn't I be more worried about what God thinks? Think back about our discussion on Day 5 The Holy Grind. One of the things that makes these people so special is they are doing the virtuous thing despite not getting the applause of other men. They perform their tasks joyfully without expectation of worldly notice but our Father in heaven notices; they are successful in bringing the world closer to God each day. So how do you define success?
My prayer today, Lord help me remember that I was born to love you and my success is measured by that standard, not by any standard the world knows. Help me measure up today a little better than yesterday.
Amen
Pax
Joe
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