Part 7 - Our Return Journey / Chapter 57 - Sharing Our Gifts

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When Augustine describes eternity as a time of rest that leads to seeing, he is aware that resting is the key step into our life with God. We rest long. And in our resting a quiet change takes place. Our eyes are opened. As Augustine said, ‘We shall rest and we shall see.’ But that is only the first half of the journey he urged us to take. When we reach this point, at which our resting has opened the eyes of our hearts, then we are ready for the journey back. For Augustine continues: ‘We shall see and we shall love.’ He sees a link between our resting and seeing, and our going out in love. The real test of this kind of praying is whether it leads to loving.

This is not a selfish journey. God’s gifts of peace and healing that are poured into our hearts are of course meant to be cherished. But rather than becoming absorbed by the gifts themselves, we ask why these wonderful gifts are given. The answer is: they are not meant to be hugged to ourselves; they are given to us to share.

The gifts we discover within ourselves prepare us for our return journey. They prepare us for our life and work in the world, for our work with God.

Our work with God is a beautiful partnership. It is surely wrong to speak, as many do, of God ‘using’ us for his work, using us for his own purposes. This kind of language belittles God. And it demeans us.

God respects the dignity of each one of us. He respects our freedom. He does not use people. Rather, he works with us. His wish is to draw us into partnership with him. God invites. We respond. He works alongside us. His love brings out the best in us. His love releases our talents. In all the good things we do in our partnership with him our gifts shine, our personality blossoms.

We are entitled to enjoy and celebrate the great things we are able to do when we are working along with God. We are entitled to sing our own Magnificat.

The messenger whom God sent to Mary was very gracious. The angel began by complimenting her. And when Mary was puzzled about what God was asking of her, the angel was understanding.

So too with us. God comes graciously to us, inviting us to share with him the work of caring for and loving his people. It is surely this gentle, gracious approach of God that draws such a whole-hearted response from many people.


An extract from Finding Your Hidden Treasure

© 2010 Benignus O’Rourke OSA

Published by Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd

© Photo: Ian Wilson OSA

Get the book: www.theaugustinians.org

Community prayer

The great silence of the heart

'God speaks to us in the great silence of the heart." - Augustine of Hippo

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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone. Col 4:6

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