I have been reminded recently of the futility of seeking happiness and fulfillment in things outside yourself. I have fallen prey to this falsehood that is told and perpetuated by our culture, more often than not, for most of my life. This lie manifests itself in our lives in various ways. We often pursue relationships, divorce or new relationships. We pursue careers, new careers, or change jobs. We can become consumed by materialism and seeking after pleasure, constant distractions and entertainment. This can even lead to sexual and emotional promiscuity, drug and alcohol abuse or other destructive behaviors. To overcome this problem we must remind ourselves daily that there is a vast difference between happiness and peace.

Before we can engage in the internal spiritual struggle we must first realize in our lives the truth that nothing that comes from outside ourselves will ever satisfy. It can only distract us from our real purpose. That purpose is to be united with God. No person, thing, event or experience brings us peace. To seek the infinite peace of God we must decide to accept responsibility for our own spiritual life. No other person or thing, not even the Church, can do this for us. To begin we need to just begin. Get up and pray. Peace and fulfillment will not come easily or quickly, but it will come. We will still be tempted to believe the lie of the fall. That lie is that we can be like God, without God, and that all the things that absorb us will satisfy. Only the peace that passes all understanding will satisfy in the end.

Ειρἠνη Πασἰ