Three different ways to do a good action come to mind. Three different choices of how to act. The first way to do a good act is out of routine. We pray our prayers because we are used to it. We are kind because we are just going through the motions. We don't allow ourselves to comprehend why we smile at people when we're down or why we go to church on Sunday. It's a habit, and that's it. We just do it because we do it. Think of the nuns I love to talk about. Imagine if they lived just because of routine. They may do every act of sacrifice and prayer, yet if they don't have love--it's nothing. They can help all sorts of people, but if they are missing love--what's the point? Look up St. Paul's letter to the Corinthians in the bible (1 Corinthians 13). Let's also look at college life. Imagine us students on campus. We can see our friends and classmates as simply a means to an end--for our success or for our comfort. We can get in the routine of just saying "hi" to someone because that is just what we do. We're polite to our professors because we are just fulfilling our obligation. We pray before meals because we have to and we wear our cross necklace because we are Christian. We go to church because...that's what our parents do? So routine leaves us not really caring about why, how or who. We don't see the big picture. This can make us feel annoyed, restricted. and fake. The second way to do a good act is out of guilt, fear or anxiety. Perhaps we feel we must pray or else we will go to hell! We may only be kind to others because we hope that in doing so, we'll somehow appease the scary Man up in the sky. It's all fire and brimstone: we've got to do it, or else... Imagine the nuns again. What if they lived a holy life because they were terrified that God would strike them down if they didn't live that way? What if they worked like a slave afraid of a cruel master? It does not sound healthy or fulfilling. Back to college. We may go to class and study because we are terrified of failing in life. We may feel guilty that we aren't doing enough volunteering, working or participating in our student clubs, so we sign up for more. We pray before meals because we are terrified of what God may think if we don't, but we're also terrified about what others may think. We worry about expressing our opinions or not laughing at a crude joke. Acting out of guilt just makes us feel burdened, unfulfilled, and sad. We are always trying to just appease others. Maybe we are just trying to appease God--or are we just trying to appease ourselves? The third way is the winner! To act out of love. This type of good action is so amazing because we aren't doing it out of routine or guilt. We want to do it! That doesn't mean we always enjoy prayer or find talking to the lonely kid interesting. Instead, it means we love the Lord so much that we will do anything to be near Him. So, we will act with love and pray constantly to God! Think of the nuns. They are super happy because they are acting constantly out of love for Jesus, whether they are helping a sister with a long list of chores or praying their obligatory Liturgy of the Hours. These things are no longer obligations because they don't do it out of fear--they want to do it because of love. Imagine us college students once again. We can see college as an opportunity to shower people with good actions of love. If we see Jesus in others, we love our roommates, classmates, coworkers, professors, employers, friends, acquaintances, enemies, custodians, deskies, mentors, RAs, and every soul on campus (including those who collect our bottles from trashcans or shout at the top of their lungs some sort of political/religious stuff). Think if we study for God's glory, work for Him, go to church because we love Him, open the door for others because we love Him, talk to people and see God in them! Think of how our good actions become so much more when we put love into them! It is when we act with love that our actions bear fruit. That is when hearts get touched and connections get made. That is when we find joy. Which type of good action will you choose?
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AuthorJacqueline St. Clare: I spent six months in a cloistered convent, and now I'm a college student! Archives
April 2021
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