I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life.
I love You, O my infinitely lovable God,

and I would rather die loving You,

than live without loving You.
I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally...
My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You,

I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath.

St. John Vianney

What is your deepest desire? What are you doing to realize it? If we spend a bit of time with these questions then we might have to reevaluate some of things we are doing in our daily lives. There are many things that we need to do; tasks, responsibilities, etc. There are also many things that we choose to do. What are those things that we choose to do? Are they for our good or the good of our family? Are they helping us to grow in our relationship with God?

This last question is the most important and will inform the rest of our life. We need to have this question before us always. It might help to actually ask the questions, “Is this God’s will that I do this? Is it good? Is it in line with my state in life, my vocation? Is it in line with the teachings of the Church? How will others be affected by my decision? Is it helping me to grow in Love?” If at any point we answer negatively, then we should not act on our desire to do whatever it was that we were going to do. At this point we need the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit and His grace to choose the good. We make so many decisions that it becomes routine and often we are not mindful of discerning whether it is the will of God or not. These questions and a prayer for the guidance of the Holy Spirit will help us to be more mindful of the decisions we are making.

As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity this Sunday may I suggest to you a practice that will order all things rightly the more we practice it, the Sign of the Cross. How many times do you make the sign of the cross during the day? I figure it is at least ten for me on a slow day. As we prayerfully make the sign of the cross, we are then centered in the life of the Trinity, our God who loves us and wants to guide us to eternal happiness with Him. As we make the sign of the cross we are mindful of the most important aspect of our lives, our relationship with God. With Latino ball players making the sign of the cross in public it is more accepted, yet how many times a day do you make the sign of the cross in public? Have you balked to make it before lunch or dinner with coworkers or friends? It is a wonderful way to be intentional in all that we do and will always get us back on track if we have strayed. This short prayer is sure to add meaning, intentionality and guidance to your day. May we begin all that we do in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Fr. Jack D. Shrum