When I was young in the ministry, a young boy asked me, ‘What is the best thing to do in life?’
I looked at him compassionately, and I was thinking that he might probably be searching for direction or meaning of life.
So I answered him that, there is ‘no other noblest thing to do in life than to love God and love our neighbor’.
I think this is the key for a successful and happy life — love for God and your neighbor.
St John, in his letter, says, ‘‘let us love one another ... everyone who loves is begotten by God’’.
A lot of people, young and old, want to become successful in life.
In fact, they spend most of their lives and energy to be able to attain it.
I remember when I was young my parents always reminded us siblings that to become successful in life, you need a skill of your own.
They would always say, ‘life is not easy’.
So they sent us to the school to learn and have a skill of our own, that we can use for our own future.
Perhaps, our parents are right. We need the skill, but there is a more important skill everyone must have in life, and that is love.
As we begin this year, let us learn how to love.
Learn to let go and forgive the pains of the past.
Start to write your life again in love. There is no other foundation for a happy and successful life for both young and old but to love.
~ Contributed by Father Line Abilgos of St Michael’s Catholic Church, on behalf of the Combined Churches of Deniliquin