All the graces and blessings of heaven are ready to pour down upon any soul who opens their hearts. But, what good is it to pour down the rain of blessings when hearts are closed to heaven? This has happened in the modern world. Hearts are closed to heaven and without the heavenly rain they quickly dry up. Thoughtfulness, respect, generosity, self-sacrifice – these are flowers that cannot grow in the dry soil of the human heart. Let me address this problem.

When man is saturated with God’s blessings, then the human heart easily embraces other people. There arises permanent, loving marriages, parents who sacrifice for their children, employers who look to the good of those whom they hire. Nourished by God’s rain, the human heart nourishes others. However, when the rain stops (because man turns away from heaven) then the human heart shrivels and turns in upon itself. Thoughtfulness and self-sacrifice are supplanted by the innate selfishness of the human heart.

Mankind forgets the basic weakness. The human heart tends toward self-love. Only when nourished and satisfied by God’s blessings can the heart forget its own selfish interests.

That is the secret of all the saints. First, God drew them to himself, nourished them and fed them. They became God’s friends, sitting always at his table and every day sharing in his meal. Only then, could they go forth in their powerful lives of self-sacrifice which changed the world.

You, O reader, are no different. God calls you to come and be nourished at his table. He calls you into his presence. He will speak with you and feed the hungers of your spirit. Without God, you are selfish. With God, your selfish desires are quenched and you are free to love others. These are the gifts of my heart and I want them for you. First, you must be fed at my table. Then your selfish desires will not destroy you.