Hunger and Thirst for Sanctity

Through your infinite mercy … destroy in me the desire for earthly things, and give me instead your hunger and thirst … for sanctity and perfection. (OOCC, X, pp. 368 - 369; STA, 395)

A human person who is caught up in the attractions of this world forgets the real goal of his life. He fails to remember that he is only a pilgrim making his journey towards his final destiny. His earthly attachments make this world so real and permanent that he begins to think and act as if this is the place where he is called to live eternally. Overlooking the passing nature of earthly things, he stops thinking about everything that is heavenly. He disregards the call of Jesus in the beatitude to hunger and thirst for justice and holiness. St. Vincent Pallotti, fully aware of the fact that he could get lost in the interests of the world, attempted to concentrate on living the true spirit of the beatitudes. He constantly reminded himself that the world and all its attractions are impermanent. He knew that he was a pilgrim called for a higher destiny, a life with God for all eternity. Therefore, he sought justice of God and holiness of life. He did what was in his power, always trusting in God, to attach himself to God and to detach himself from the earthly satisfactions, for he desired to be satisfied by God at his coming. A life of perfection and sanctity took St. Vincent to a deeper experience of God and his love.

Am I caught up in this world, forgetting its passing nature? Do I recognize that I am a pilgrim in this world? Do I live the spirit of the beatitude calling me to seek justice and holiness? Do I seek the satisfactions of this world or desire to be satisfied by God at his coming in my life?

Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for justice, for they shall be satisfied. (Mt. 5: 6)