You are having coffee in the morning with a friend, and she asks a question about how to be happy in the everyday events of one’s life. The conversation evolves to looking at the life of a very inspiring woman. Venerable Catherine McAuley founded the Religious Sisters of Mercy in Dublin, Ireland in 1831. One of her Familiar Instructions stated that “Time is the purchase money of eternity, and every moment of our precious time must be accounted for in judgment.” (Familiar Instructions Chapter 14, p. 94) How important for us then to acquire a habit of spending our time well, especially when we remember how swiftly it passes and how easily we waste it. This is owing, to no slight degree, to idleness, if we are not disciplined to order.
Idleness happens by not employing time exactly in the manner prescribed by a disciplined schedule. It is important to engage in useful work based on our specific vocation; no moments are to be lost, for every moment is purchased with the Blood of Jesus Christ. Practically it helps to have a list of chores for the day and prioritize them. This can be hung in some predominant place where you will see it often and items can be checked off as they are accomplished.
Whatever time we have to spare from our different areas of responsibility can be in keeping with the adorable Will of God and made known to us through the responsibilities required by our state in life. For example, if you are a mother with small children, you might enjoy sewing or knitting clothes for the children, caring for house plants or reading an inspiring book rather than surfing the internet.
“Oh, how happy! How peaceful and blessed one is who fulfills so perfectly, the Will of Him, who came down on earth not to do His own will, but the Will of Him who sent Him. And after all, what occupation can be more advantageous than what Providence assigns us?”
Familiar Instructions Chapter 14 p. 95
Let us then cherish this dependence on the Will of God, since it is the straight path to Heaven, the surest way, the certain guide to glory.
The great secret of acquiring this virtue of dependence is to keep the soul united with God throughout the day. A first step to invite God into our daily chores is praying a Morning Offering, such as this one recommended by the United States Council of Catholic Bishops:
“O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings of this day for all the intentions of your Sacred Heart in union with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the salvation of souls, the reparation of sins, the reunion of all Christians, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father this month. Amen.”
By praying a Morning Offering, we preemptively offer every chore that we do during the day to God – washing dishes, laundry, shopping, studying, cleaning, driving etc. This means that we do not have to be conscious of thinking about God in every act that we perform during the day. I also find it helpful to pray short aspirations throughout the day, i.e., “Jesus, have mercy!” Connect them with something specific like every time you look at a clock.
At the end of the day, another prayer that helps to put good order into one’s life is from St. Thomas Aquinas:
“Grant me, Lord my God, intelligence in knowing you, diligence in seeking you, wisdom in finding you, conversation pleasing to you, perseverance in confidently waiting for you, and confidence in finally embracing you”.
And most importantly, “Lord, thank you for the many Graces and Blessings I have received throughout this day!”
“The most holy and important practice in the spiritual life is the presence of God.”
– Brother Lawrence
