There are many ways by which one can refuse oneself to God. There is the violent way of the militant atheists who throw religion into the garbage can. But there is also the subtle way, which consists of reducing religion to a mere formality. One at tends Mass on Sundays, does his Easter duties, and gives to charity. These people say to themselves: After all, one has to earn a living, ensure a career, make influential connections, entertain friends, raise children, relax a
little. In short, he has other priorities.

A lot of people, and perhaps even us, believe that happiness can very well be found not so much at the banquet of God, as elsewhere. They forget that they are made for God and that apart from God, the most lavish human banquets have a taste of ashes. As St. Augustine says: “Our heart is restless, Lord, until it rests in you.”