True desire

From Servant of God, Isaac Thomas Hecker wrote:

The poet Dante wrote that desire is the power given to reach our end. Our true and uninvited desires are fixed inspirations. So long as we wish sincerely and remain constant in our desire to do all for the greater glory of God, all else may disappear. It may be said that he who is not at all times ready to do according to the measure of his graces that which in all things is most perfect, has not as yet thoroughly taken the resolution to become holy. We shall never have a more favorable time to know, love and serve God than at the present moment. If we do not become holy it is only because we have not the thorough wish to be holy. 

The only bridge to heaven is over the cross. The gates of paradise are only opened with the key of the cross. The glory of heaven can only be purchased with crosses. The prophet Elijah was carried to heaven in a storm. To secure eternal bliss one must suffer a storm.

Response by Father Paul Robichaud, CSP

Servant of God, Father Isaac Hecker writes that the fundamental desires of our heart are fixed inspirations. They were planted in us from the beginning of time. Among them is our desire to be holy. God our Father wishes us his children to be like him and we do this by knowing, loving and serving God. Father Hecker reminds us that there is no better time than the present to discern the true desires of our hearts, and to separate our true desires from our wants or what we think we need. 

Hecker also reminds us that as we discern God’s spirit and respond in faith, we will face conflict and suffering. Every Christian as a child of God must confront the cross. As Hecker once said, “all Christians have crosses except the ones in heaven.” The only bridge to heaven is the cross. It is in knowing that Jesus has triumphed by his cross and will be with us as we take on what the world gives us as a cross, that we play our part in the salvation of the world in Christ. God will triumph but to inherit eternal bliss, we must suffer the storms of our lives with faith, hope and love.