Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Rosary - Qatar
OUT WITH THE OLD,IN WITH THE NEW
Updated: Mar 19, 2021
As another month (and season in countries that actually have seasons!) comes to an end, we always have an opportunity to take stock and clear out the excess, or "clutter" in our lives. Many of us welcome Spring, or Fall, Cleaning as a chance to throw out the things that no longer serve us and make space in our homes for new things that matter more. We don’t have the luxury of witnessing the changing of seasons here in Doha to remind us of this need. What we do have, however, is the Word of God that is a constant mirror against which we can hold our life experiences.
The first important question to ask ourselves is this: Why do we accumulate so much worldly “clutter” in the first place? What false sense of security does it give us to have these things and, sometimes, these people around us?
And even more importantly, what fear is holding us back from letting these things/people go? The fact is that the more we complicate our lives with this clutter, the less clear our vision becomes. We can’t see the Truth when we are buried in piles of stuff and complicated situations. St. Paul tells us in his First Letter to Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world (1 Tim 6:6-7). In layman’s terms: “You’ll never find a U-Haul behind a hearse!” And yet, how much of our God given breath and time is spent each day in the pursuit of this stuff; in search of the things, and relationships, that we hope will fulfil us? Jesus made it very clear when he said: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (Jn 6: 35). It is God who provides everything we need for our salvation. Not things. Not people or princes. Just God. If we want to be worthy of this gift, then we will need to die to the Old Man in each of us. We need to truly desire to become something new.
Challenge: Consider what aspects of your life have become “clutter” and no longer serve your best interest as this month ends. Perhaps it is a belief you have hung onto, or a friendship, or a habit that does you a perpetual disservice. Acknowledge it, bless it, fight through the fear, and then let it go to make room for the One who truly matters. A little decluttering never hurt anyone!
If we want to earn our eternal salvation, then we need to keep it simple. It is truly as simple as that.
Have a wonder-filled week ahead and keep your eyes on the true prize!