True Happiness of the Soul or an Empty Worldly Wish?

This was a parable I had written for my sophomore Christology course. I decided to share it on here since I still have a writing block...

There was a man who lived quite happily with his family and was surrounded by love, but one day that all changed when he was presented with a temptation. One day, he met a person who began conversing with him. The two talked and time seemed to stop, until the other person questioned the man if he had everything he wanted. The man had a lovely family; a beautiful wife, and a child who he so dearly loved, but there were times he was greedy and wanted more things in his life. He replied that he was very grateful for all he had, but also admitted to the other things that he wished he had; Money, power, fame, and all things related to vice.

    After hearing the man’s answer, the other person nodded and remarked, “Would you be willing to give up your soul for those things?”

    “Well, I don’t know about that,” the man uneasily replied.

    The other person smiled and said, “I think your actions and thoughts will answer my question.”

    Then quickly disappearing into the night, the other person left the man standing still, trying to comprehend what had just happened. He walked to his car, an older model with a few things that could be fixed, but only if they had the money. Driving through the town, he noticed the high buildings and the glamorous lights that surrounded the elite. When he arrived home, he had noticed that his wife and child were already asleep, so he sat down on the couch and looked out the window while imagining a better life for himself.

    It was only a few days later that he was in an argument with his wife, who had been so enraged by his surprising negative attitude, that she had taken their child and was planning on driving to her parents’ home. He sat alone once again thinking, letting the thoughts of his wife and child quickly come up in his thoughts, only to be pushed away by the attractive idea of an investment he was thinking of making. His wife and child remained at his in-laws home, and he had not apologized for his actions, but instead, slowly pushed them away when they made any attempt at communicating once again.

    Time had passed, and while his wife and child were away, he had been successful in his new investment, upgrading and living a life filled with vice. He received a call though, one day, the call had left him in shock, his wife and child were reported to have died because of an automobile accident. Contemplating his life, he was in a state of utter confusion and chaos.

     His useless thoughts drove him to insanity and he took his own life, not valuing the importance of life itself and his likeness in God’s image. By choosing worldly possessions and refusing the virtuous way to live, he became tangled in a life that would promise him nothing everlasting.

Starting the Day Off

     The best way for me to start the day is by going to mass. Well, truthfully, my morning schedule is; wake up, pray the rosary, maybe pray the morning office, then get ready for the day. That's my schedule for the school year during the weekdays, at least.
     When it's the weekend during the school year or summer, I find something inspiring about going to daily mass in the morning. Ever since third grade to eighth, I've been attending morning daily mass for mostly everyday. People assume morning mass is for the elderly, but let me tell you that it's not entirely true. For example, I see young parents bringing their children to daily mass since they were little whenever possible. I also witness young men and women who take part of their day to celebrate the mass before heading off to their busy work lives. But then of course, you can also see loving elderly couples going to mass together every morning, and it definitely makes you feel something moving in your heart at that sight. How about middle-aged folks, aren't they there? Of course they are! Middle-aged people definitely go to daily mass, some bring their family intentions to mass, while others also go to have a meaningful start of their day.
     It's not just lay people that go to these daily masses, though. Often, I see religious sisters from several different orders. I've seen missionaries, Rochester Franciscans, Nashville Dominicans, Schoenstatt Sisters, and even a Handmaid of the Heart of Jesus. There's also been seminarians from my diocese and others. There's something beautiful about seeing those choosing the religious life and the priesthood at mass. I've witnessed the inspiration that they have brought to me and to others.
     Me? At first I was just a child who was told by my parents to go, and so I went. On days when there wasn't mass, I was a little happy. But, that was a few years ago...before I realized the importance of the mass in my life.
     While I am in high school, it's not possible to go to morning mass since it starts after the beginning of school. I still go on Saturday mornings and of course, I will attend Sunday mass. During the school year, about every two weeks we have an all-school mass that everyone is required to attend, and every Wednesday there is an optional mass before school. There's something I must say, as a student, if you're at school early, why don't you take spend some time with Jesus instead of standing around in the halls talking about worldly things? I don't mean to be hypocritical, but it's heartbreaking to see a maximum of 4-5 students at an optional mass on Wednesdays, when the school has over 400 students.
     Why go to morning mass? I can't give you a definite answer, but I'll tell you my personal experience. I've received so many blessings known and unbeknownst to me. I've experienced tiny miracles that I give all credit to the Eucharist. That is the main reason why I go to mass, to receive the Eucharist. Although at times, it seems like there's better things to be doing. I guarantee you, going to mass brings a peace and wellness to the rest of your day. I've had terrible mornings, but when I entered into prayer in the mass and received the Eucharist, I was open to the goodness of more things.
     Morning mass is something that I treasure very deeply. When I could go all the time, I took it for granted, but now when I can't go everyday, I long for the days that I can. So, I sincerely hope that anyone that is able to go to mass everyday, to take this opportunity and attend morning mass. It'll make a difference in your life, I promise.