As I have talked with people about their lives and what they desire, I have often heard them talk about the importance of passion for what you do. I would totally agree and find it sad when I meet someone who does not seem to have passion for what they are doing. However, passion can never be separated from the source of our lives: Jesus Christ!
A couple of Sundays ago, I was at Mass at Christ the King Parish and read Fr. Steve Jarrell's column in their bulletin. In his column, he used this quote from Pastor Frederick Buechner. I have been reflecting on it this Advent and invite you do do the same.
"Passion must be grounded, or, like lightning without a lightning rod, it can blow fuses and burn the house down. Passion must be related not just to the world inside your skin but the world outside your skin . . . . Passion must be harnessed and put to work, and the power that first stirs the heart must become the power that also stirs your hand and feet, because it is the places your feet take you to and the work you find for your hands that finally proclaim who you are and who Christ is. Passion without wisdom to give it shape and direction is as empty as wisdom without passion to give it shape and purpose."