“Seek good and not evil, that you may live.”  This first statement from today’s readings is the core of the message today.  It is not just a random statement but an expression of God’s longing for us.  The living the prophet is talking about is not breathing in and breathing out, it is a living of life to the fullest, with God as our central focus.  It is an embracing of life and God’s desire for us in it.  This is what God longs for.  This is what God desires for us.  If we seek good and not evil, we will find love and joy in whatever we are doing.  God will be with us as we claim.

Every once in awhile, something or someone will cross my path in an unusual manner or an unusual amount of times.  This has been the case the past two weeks with this poem/prayer, which follows, from Fr. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus. 

Because it has just continued to show up in my life, I have been praying with it, contemplating what it means to “find God” and fall in Love “in a quite absolute, final way.”  Now, as I write this reflection, I recognize that maybe I am being called to also pass it along.  I am sure it is familiar to many but It seems to fit and emphasize what I am trying to say.

Nothing is more practical than finding God,
than falling in Love
in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with,
what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.
It will decide
what will get you out of bed in the morning,
what you do with your evenings,
how you spend your weekends,
what you read, whom you know,
what breaks your heart,
and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in Love, stay in love,
and it will decide everything.

If we seek good, we will fall in love with God.  Our lives will be defined by, and filled with, this Love.  And this Love will transform us and our lives, so that we may offer it to others.  So, today I invite us to reflect: How are we seeking good?  Where/how does evil get in the way?  How is God calling us to fall in Love?