Enamored of the present world?

Recent polls in the United States and elsewhere, even before the current economic and financial disasters, have indicated that a majority of people do not think their country is “on the right track.”

In a sense, they are not enamored of the present world.

Yet many of these same people think that a particular politician, government program, job, or drug will put them on “the right track” and make life lovable again.

They are tragically mistaken.

They may not have been enamored of their present situation, but they remain enamored of the present world, as if this world is capable of providing the true and everlasting happiness which they deeply need.

In today’s first reading (2 Timothy 4:10-17b), Saint Paul writes of a colleague of his who, “enamored of the present world, deserted me” and by implication not just Saint Paul but also the very Gospel itself.

May we never become enamored of the present world or even of a mythical earthly existence where all will be well and happy if we can just get “on the right track.”

May we fulfill our godly responsibilities in this world but may we be enamored only of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who alone, in the mystery of God’s will and the power of His cross, can bring the true and everlasting happiness you and I deeply need.