"The nation doesn’t simply need what we have. It needs what we are."
- St. Edith Stein
- St. Edith Stein
In a culture of “things” where people are often judged by what they have or do not have as individuals or peoples – the latest technology, the most fashionable clothes, the most money or the fastest car – there is a call to the heart of this nation’s young people. A call to set aside the materialistic attitude and to give everything they have for the service of God and the Church; to lay aside selfish attitudes and to give rather than get. This nation, and indeed the world, does need what we have. It does not need our latest iPads, sports cars or fashion purses. It needs us, just as we are, with open hearts and a will to serve. This nation needs its people to truly come alive, to lay aside the overwhelming relativistic and conviction-less attitudes that threaten to overwhelm the morals that are inherent to the human person.
The recent NRVC-CARA study shows that young people today are looking for more intense ways to give themselves to God in religious life. They desire a penitential life, void of useless possessions and worldly comforts. Where the culture would saturate its population with the need for possessions and every luxury, young people are finding within their hearts that those possessions only leave them with a deep emptiness. It is only by emptying themselves and pouring themselves out ceaselessly – for God, for others, for the nation – that they are truly rich. The world will always have “things”. It will always have advances in technology and fashion. But it will not always have you. It needs each one of us to rise above the level of utilitarianism to the level of humble service.
Man is a communal being. We need each other to recreate, to pray with and to help each other get to Heaven. No one should have to walk this journey alone. Community is great gift from God, whether it is through family, friends or a religious community. Through it, we are able to draw consolation, encouragement and instruction. We are all made to be together in Heaven with God. Not by ourselves, but with everyone on earth. I remember the first time this really hit me that everyone around me was meant to be with me in Heaven. It was such a beautiful moment that helped me to realize that we are all connected! We are all meant to help each other!
This past weekend Alycia, Nicolette, Kristen and I were blessed to be able to come together and continue to build the community that God has begun in us. We attended a women’s Lenten retreat, in which all present were given a greater appreciation of who we are as women and the world’s need for us to be who we are. We prayed together, spent time with each other and family, and were able to work on further steps for our vocation. It was such a blessing to be able to spend that time with them! They did not need what I have – my phone, my computer, my clothes – they needed who I am. God did not call each one of us to this because of what we have – our material possessions – but because of what and who we are. We need each other to build each other up and get to Heaven! We need each other to help and encourage us to be faithful to God’s call! “It is not good that the man should be alone!” (Gen 2:18)
As we continue this Lent, let us reflect on the wonderful ways that God has blessed each and every one of us with those in our lives, remembering that they do not need what we have but what we are. It is not by what we own that we will attain salvation. It is by our lives, our love, our service to others and the Church; who we are. That is what this nation truly needs.
I encourage you to join us in seeking God’s will in a deeper way; to grow in detachment from everything that would lead you to offer others what you have rather than what you are.
God bless you in these last few weeks of Lent!
Written by Catherine
