St. Rafael Catholic Church in Duluth and St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Proctor released a gospel meditation in their Sept. 20 newsletter to give guidance on spiritual practice and its purpose.

“If I work for five hours, I expect to get paid for five hours," the meditation said. "If I work for two, I expect to get paid for two. What if we worked for a company that paid everyone the same regardless of how long they worked? How would we feel going home with the same pay for working eight hours as my co-worker did for working only two hours? Secular wisdom would have a huge problem with this and a visit to the Labor Board would quickly pursue. But this is God’s wisdom and God’s ways." 

The meditation further noted that sometimes Christ’s followers believe if they pray more, God will somehow reward them. But that is the wrong way of thinking. The only purpose of spiritual practice is to deepen one's love for God.

“In deepening our love for God, we also increase our ability to see God’s presence around us, living life more purposefully and contemplatively," the meditation continued. "What if God chooses to treat someone who has come on the scene of faith later in life the same as someone who has devoted their whole lives to it. Does it really matter? If we have the merit badge notion of faith, we can find ourselves feeling a little arrogant and jealous of folks who have not followed the same path that we have. We can even see ourselves as the privileged few who have a corner on the faith and fully possess it.”

The meditation continued to elaborate on God showing mercy and welcoming followers with open arms, regardless of the timing.

“When we breathe our last, all that is of consequence is union with God," the meditation concluded. "If my love for God is real, I am going to want to live the Gospel, abide by the commandments, practice my faith, forgive and love my neighbor, and care for the environment; regardless of how much time it takes or benefits me. We want God to think and behave as we do; and in doing so, we set ourselves up for disappointment. God has a totally different agenda and that’s okay.”