St Ignatius College - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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HEART YEARNINGS 9 Wealth has been the undermining influence by which man and even nations have fallen. Yet great as has been the havoc wrought by wealth, greater by far has been that worked by sensual pleasures. Rome, the greatest of all ancient Empires, fell through this means, while the present decline of many modern nations may be attributed to the same cause. - The quest after perfect happiness should raise us above things material, should give us higher ideals, and nobler thoughts. Yet how far different does this gratification of bodily pleasures affect us. Man cannot act against the dic- tates of his conscience without suffering anguish, without realizing his humiliation and his lack of moral strength, his sin. Vice not only produces suffering spiritually, but physi- cally as well. The body, though strong and robust, cannot withstand the assaults by this sin any more than can an ancient fortification the modern projectile. In yielding man falls to a plane as low, and in some cases lower, than that of the dumb brutes. Is this the means by which to attain perfect happiness? Is this the method to be employed so that the eternal craving may find satisfaction? Gaze upon the broken bodies of these who have become the slaves of this apalling vice and an answer will be found. Who among men has not sought after honor in some form or another, at some stage of life. The desire to attain honor is, in the words of Rev. W. Kelley, one of the most powerful of human instincts. We seek to gain the commendation and praise of our fellow creatures and in this we find enjoyment and satisfaction 5 yet honor considered either as the knowledge others have of our good qualitiesg or the outward manifestation of this knowledge, cannot give perfect happiness. Honor cannot add one whit of perfection to our intellect or our will. It is but an earthly gift, bestowed by a fickle hand, bringing with it an uncertain period of possession. To-day one may be acclaimed by all, to-morrow

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8 JGNA TIAN pleasure and honor-these are the ambitious man's earthly goal. Let us enquire into the nature of each and see if on their attainment perfect happiness ensues. Question mankind in general in regard as to which of the three above mentioned material goods constitutes the foundation of happiness and the answer will most likely be- wealth g pleasure, honor, and even life itself become sacri- ficial gifts in the amassing of wealth. And for what reason? Surely not for the gaining of peace, if we would believe the words of those upon whom it has smiled and who testify that riches are a hindrance rather than an instrument useful in the attainment of happiness. 'Wealth is but a means to an end, an object by which our natural physical wants are satisfied. When used with mod- eration it is a blessingg when but an instrument of over- indulgence, it becomes a curse. As Cicero says: Nothing is greater proof of a mean and grovelling disposition than to be fond of riches, while nothing is more noble and exalted than to despise money if thou hast it not, and if thou hast it to employ it in acts of beneficence and liberalityf' Closely akin to wealth is avarice, even as father and child. Wealth begets avariceg avarice destroys what peace the mind has formerly possessed. A man avaricious in nature is for- ever seeking to attain a greater amount of wealth. The unrest caused by this desire, together with the fear that what he has hoarded already may be lost, renders happiness and contentment impossible. On all sides we see men corrupt and unscrupulous yet rich in worldly wealth, thereby teaching us that riches cannot always be recognized as a measure of virtue, but frequently rather the contrary. Would that we could see behind the mask magnificence wears before its admirers of wealth, and read the abiding thoughts of its possessors. Then could we realize more fully its utter futility as a means to perfect happiness. V

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10 IGNATIAN some one seemingly more worthy of recognition may appear to obscure the former's worth. Noble souls have lived and died in obscurity, whether through their own modesty or through the blindness of humanity. Ignoble men have received the plaudits of the mob and their names have become household words, though their lives have been unworthy and their ideals low. Placed upon the pinnacle of fame, man still seeks to attain a wider recog- nition. Contentment is not his. Further quest and the ac- companying fear of failure are strangely inconsistent with that peace of mind which perfect happiness should bring. Far better is it to have peace and contentment in this life than honor, bringing with it too often selfishness and the envy of small minds. Thus can be seen the failure of earthly gifts to bring true happiness. Perfect happiness, as we know, is that condition of the soul in which every good is possessed, every evil ex- cluded, and there is present the conviction that that condition shall be enduring. From a consideration of this definition the faults and shortcomings of riches, honor and pleasure are self-evident. All leave in their wake marks of pain upon the heart. The pleasures of the earth are imperfect, are not conducive to the highest ideals or safeguards from suffering. We labor for many years in the pursuit of wealth, yet in one instant we lose all in the advent of death. Well can we ex- claim as did Solomon of old: Vanity of Vanities, and all is vanity. Life after all is but a turbulent ocean upon which we are tossed as a tiny craft in the teeth of a mighty gale. As long as we are upon the earth there is a continual warfare between our lower and higher natures. The passions, ever rebellious, seek to lead us to ignore the dictates of conscience, make the soul subservient to the body and keep the heart in a constant state of disorder. Endlessly seeking for a greater share of good things we go through life. We gain the object of our desire, but once gained, fascination gives place to un-