An Offering to God 

   “Here is a rule for everyday life:  Do not do anything which you cannot offer to God.” (St. John Vianney) 

   When I read this quote I couldn’t help but think how much better the world would be if everyone lived in this manner.  Wars and crime would cease to exist; racism, bias, and hatred would disappear.  Abortion, euthanasia, and even the death penalty would be gone.  The sinfulness that inundates our society would cease and peace would at last reign.

   Then I realized what an impossibility all of that is.  In a world stained by original sin such as ours, living life as an offering to God is never going to become the norm for most people.  Satan is strong and we are weak.  Far too often we fail prey, either willingly or unknowingly to his ways.

   Still, if each of us were to incorporate this thought into our daily lives we would find that there are many areas of our life that could benefit from keeping St. Vianney’s words in mind.  It could have a very positive impact on those we know and those we meet; perhaps even on society itself.  Most importantly it would bring us closer to God.

   Before ranting at the “idiot” who just cut you off in traffic, think if you are willing to offer what you are about to say to God?  Was that movie you watched last night, the one with the vile language and overt sexuality, one you would have watched with Jesus sitting at your side?  Our lives, and our relationship with God, could benefit greatly from considering what we are about to say or do before we say or do it.

   This rule from St. Vianney is a means of taking control of our actions rather than allowing our actions to control us.  And even though we will most probably fail to follow it at times, it is well worth the effort to try.