A Universal Life

In his essay "How to Grow Old," mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell defines the walk to a more fulfilling life: "Make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged with the universal life."

For a man who declared himself an atheist, Russell's description of the Holy Spirit is remarkably apt. 

For 19-year-old tennis star Coco Gauff, a posture of gratitude keeps her grounded: "At first, I used to think negative things, like, Why is there so much pressure? Why is this so hard? I realized in a way it's pressure,but it's not. I mean, there are people struggling to feed their families, people who don't know where their next meal is going to come from, people who have to pay their bills. That's real pressure, that's real hardship, that's real life. I'm in a very privileged position;I'm getting paid to do what I love and getting support to do what I love. That's something that I don't take for granted. I have a lucky life, and so I should enjoy it."

When Jesus ate dinner at Matthew's house amidst tax collectors, the religious leaders wondered why he was socializing with sinners. Jesus responded,"Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice'" -- a Matthew 9:13 reference to Hosea 6:6.

As we all seek a deeper peace, fuller joy, and closer connection with God in this universal life, how do you maintain a perspective of gratitude and mercy rather than relying on religious sacrifice? How will you "make your interests gradually wider" until "bit by bit the walls of the ego recede"?

God bless,

Jennie