We read the Epistle of James for the next weeks. The apostle provides guidance on living a Christian life. The danger to a spiritual life he suggests is desire. Each person is tempted when lured and enticed by his desire. Many traditions have a similar approach. For Buddhists, the enlightenment comes when one acheives desirelessness. In Christian mystical thought desire is planted in us for a reason — the proper object of our desire is God. As St. Augustine put it our restless hearts only rest in God. Where desire becomes a problem is when it moves toward things other than God. (Madison Avenue exists to encourage such misplaced desires.) During prayer today examine if the desires of your heart are pointed in the right direction.
