There are many “As Soon As’s” in my daily life, and I believe this is something many others experience as well. ‘I’ll volunteer more as soon as my schedule dies down a bit. I’ll give money to charity as soon as I have some extra cash to spare. I’ll start praying more often as soon as my life settles down a bit.’ Though I have good intentions, many days seem to end with me wishing I had been able to do more.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus is calling us to live as though the world were to end each and every moment. Whenever I hear this Gospel I find it exhausting even to contemplate such a high-intensity Christian life. How can we maintain such a lifestyle?

I don’t believe there has to be a drastic difference between being Christ-like and living our daily lives. I don’t think Jesus is calling us to give up all possessions to donate to the poor, to quit our jobs to volunteer more, or to neglect our studying in order to pray for extended periods each day. Rather, I believe he is simply calling us to integrate his love and compassion into our lives every day. With this, our “As Soon As’s” quickly turn into “How Can I’s”: ‘How can I make my co-worker’s day? How can I show kindness to the cashier? How can I show love to my family?’

St. Ignatius encouraged others to see God in their daily lives; it seems a natural extension to try to reflect God in our daily lives as well. Let us strive, in every thought and every action, to be motivated by God’s love.