All Our Efforts

By: Rick Hernandez

Whenever I am given a task, I take it upon myself to try to be efficient, yet I was raised to be thorough. These two things are sometimes at odds, but they should not have to be. In order to be expedient, we are often tempted to take shortcuts that minimize our effort and increase our efficiency, yet that sacrifices our thoroughness. This is not a good compromise, for a job done quickly but not thoroughly might not fulfill the expectations of the taskmaster.
 
In our spiritual life, rather than efficiency, it is thoroughness that is asked of us. Our honest and faithful effort is the main measure by which we are evaluated. When we take a shortcut, we may miss some of the learning opportunities presented by the path; there is a reason Christ Jesus spoke about entering through the narrow gate.

“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
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If we choose the short and easier way, we are short-changing our tasks and failing to give our all. We end up missing the opportunities to grow that the full journey provides for us.
 
There is a process for every task and a reason for every process. Following the process allows us to follow a well-threaded path that is proven to get us where we need to go. Our Church is like this; it provides us access to the narrow gate. It helps us navigate the fullness of the path, and it stands with us along the way. To live the Eucharistic life means putting in the effort to know Christ, living the sacraments, and sharing in thanksgiving with our brothers. It means that sometimes we go out of our way to care for one another, even when it is difficult.
 
The path to sainthood does not have to be a lonely journey; it is, in fact, preferred to navigate it in the company of our brothers so that we may all together testify for each other and support each other.

“Beloved, you are faithful in all you do for the brothers and sisters, especially for strangers; they have testified to your love before the Church. Please help them in a way worthy of God to continue their journey. For they have set out for the sake of the Name and are accepting nothing from the pagans. Therefore, we ought to support such persons so that we may be co-workers in the truth.” (3 John 5-8)
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We depend upon our brothers to help us complete the journey. They also depend upon us to help them with all that we have and all that we are. Dishonesty on small tasks may also lead to dishonesty on large tasks. Let us not take shortcuts. Let us experience the path to its fullness, for we know Who the path is.

“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” (John 14:6)
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Jesus, our Lord, did not do anything halfway, but He always stuck to the process. Jesus always waits for us to state what we need and then asks us to do what is required, like in the healing of the leper from the Gospel of Matthew.

“When Jesus came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And then a leper approached, did him homage, and said, ‘Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.’ He stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, ‘I will do it. Be made clean.’ His leprosy was cleansed immediately. Then Jesus said to him, ‘See that you tell no one, but go show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.’” (Matthew 8:1-4)
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After the healing, He asked the leper to present himself to the priests. The life Christ Jesus lived while on this earth is an example that shows us there are no shortcuts on the path to Heaven. There is always something that is required from us; our willingness to follow His path and do what is necessary to the fullness of our ability and with our most honest effort. Let us approach Him who loves us, with faith, and follow His lead.
 
Let us pray: Father, help us and guide us that we may grow firm in our faith in You. May all our efforts be done in accordance to your will for us. That we may endure and absorb all your lessons, that we may follow Your lead and that of your Holy Church on the path to Heaven. Amen.

Rick Hernandez

Rick Hernandez is a common sense Catholic, Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament and a Director for Elisheba House. He lives in Trinity, Florida, with his wife Ivonne and their children. He also writes for the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament's Daily Eucharistic Reflection and for Catholicmom.com.