The Soul is God’s workplace
A Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, OFS
Dad’s workplace as a tailor and shirt designer was his atelier (a workshop or artist studio). There he plied his trade along with several men and ladies. What reminds me of this arrangement is that in the old days (1940-1950), they sat on long trestle tables, cross-legged, as they cut large pieces of cloth into patterns for suits, shirts and other gentleman’s clothing. This morning, I answered a message in the Dutch language, my native language, and Dad’s atelier came to mind since it was in Nijmegen, in the Netherlands, where I was born. The thought flashed through my head that our soul is Jesus' workplace. That’s why it is so important to keep our soul clean of all sin.
The soul, we each have one, is defined in the Glossary found in the back of the Catechism of the Catholic Church [second edition]:
“The spiritual principle of human beings. The soul is the subject of human consciousness and freedom; soul and body together form one unique human nature. Each human soul is individual and immortal, immediately created by God. The soul does not die with the body, from which it is separated by death, and with which it will be reunited in the final resurrection.”
Life within, in the soul, is a life of strong conviction for some, and a very fragile life for others. Either the flame burns brightly, or it is pinched off by human pride. When that flame burns brightly, all is well, and the relationship between a soul and our Lord will evolve into a beautiful and holy relationship. When that flame begins to flicker, the relationship will lessen, and, when the flame goes out, there will not be a relationship anymore. When the life of the soul ceases, sin follows almost immediately, because we have lost the continual war with Satan. The soul is reserved for a special relationship with Jesus, a strong relationship of total love with God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. That means God always comes first.
A soul where that flame burns brightly is never without temptations. It takes suffering on the part of most people to maintain this total immersion in obedience, chastity and poverty. (Religious and Lay people). It can be a very rocky pilgrimage, on a path strewn with many boulders. God, however, loves a well-fought fight. He looks for dedication, zeal, and the strong will to please Him. He loves conquerors. He identifies with those who will give this fight their 100% effort. God is also a very forgiving Master. When we have erred, we confess our sins, and we promise to do better. We can say we love God, but do we really? Do our actions, our striving to obey Him, indicate willingness to try harder, or is it only a halfhearted effort?
Peace and All Good,
Fred Schaeffer, OFS
March 18, 2024
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