By Fr. Glenn Jones:

(Sigh). Trouble again in Israel—always quite worrisome. Back and forth will weapons be lobbed to the inevitable destruction and death of many. Often smaller conflicts blaze up into much larger conflagrations; let us pray that that doesn’t occur. For instance, who would have thought at that time that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist would have been the spark to set all Europe ablaze as World War I?

Now, this Monday (October 9) is Columbus Day—celebrated by many as the discovery and beginning of the settlement of the New Word, and disdained by others as a beginning of European depredation of same. Our human urges to explore, to conquer, to be enriched, to power, and to do what few or none have done before for fame and glory seem pretty universal; some peoples have just been more effective at it than others depending upon their organization and technological prowess. The history student would find no land or time in which all the peoples existed in utopian harmony; the inner animal in mankind to seek “more” is just too strong … stronger in some than in others depending on cultural and personal motivations.

Concerning explorers in particular, one cannot help but wonder where the division lay between courage and recklessness. Columbus ostensibly sought to find a new trade route to the riches of southeastern Asia by sailing theretofore uncharted waters. Well, if you’ve ever been in a storm at sea, you know that it can be pretty harrowing—even more so back then in wooden ships at the mercy of wind power alone. But Columbus and his band eventually made landfall, though unexpectedly finding what would come to be known as the New World. A new world it certainly was. He didn’t find the route to the Asian riches, but discovered a land of untold wealth nonetheless.

What happened in the aftermath is, of course, is divisive in our day, but for the moment let us simply focus on the mentality of explorers—leaving whatever hearth and home and comfort for an uncertain future, even if lured by the prospect of excitement, glory and wealth. Columbus and his band of mariners could have just as easily have stayed in Spain or found more certain, less risky, enterprises to pursue, perhaps they understood the axiom: If you don’t sacrifice for your goal, then your goal will be sacrificed. In more vulgar parlance: No guts, no glory.

But let us fast forward to our present day and ask: What is it that WE hope for, and what are we willing to sacrifice for it … or not? Will we simply be a motivation “couch potato”, hoping that something magically comes our way, or will we actually go out and pursue a goal. For instance, Simone Biles just became the winningest gymnast in history; she didn’t do that by wiling away her hours in front of the tube (or the plasma, I guess, in present day). Those who have great goals make great sacrifices—of time, treasure, and even active relationships at times. Great athletes practice, great scientists and engineers study, successful entrepreneurs give up time and treasure.

So … what is our goal, and what are WE willing to sacrifice for it? Is it to get megabucks to assuage our ego with lambos, yachts, and mansions? Great wealth can certainly do great things, but to be truly great it must be used to greater good and unselfish purpose. As St. Paul wrote: “… for the rich in this world, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches but on God who richly furnishes us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good deeds, liberal and generous, thus laying up for themselves a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life which is life indeed…” (1 Timothy 6:17-19) Thus Jesus’ teaching: “… where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:21) And the Christian need remember that in the two great Commandments and the Gospels there is no promotion of self-exaltation; in fact, quite the opposite: “He who is greatest among you shall be your servant; whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11)

Is our goal to make some great scientific or other discovery? Certainly that can be very beneficial to mankind…if able to be used for good purpose; often it is a two-edged sword. We think of how infinitely greater and purer would Columbus’ voyage and discovery had been if the follow-up migration of Europeans would have all come in a spirit of cooperation, respect and beneficence to the native peoples.

But what is the greatest goal to which humans can aspire? We see it in great philosophies and religions throughout the world: to seek that which is beneficial to others. To do what is good and helpful for those whom we can reach. Yes, we tend to ourselves want to be celebrated, but to do good regardless of notice is the mark of true virtue. Often the greatest good we do goes unnoticed; but is it not the character of the good person to do it anyway? … much like Kent Keith’s well-known poem that Mother Teresa adapted for her Calcutta children’s home … quoted by many but likely followed by not so many:

“People are often unreasonable and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives
Be kind anyway.
If you are honest, people may cheat you.
Be honest anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough.
Give your best anyway.

For you see, in the end, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.”

So, despite the things that try to drag us away from doing what is right and good, nonetheless remember St. Paul’s sage advice to lead us to a truly human goal: “Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8)

And pray for peace.

Editor’s note: Rev. Glenn Jones is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe and former pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Los Alamos.