Have only one important objective: your duty. It is not important if it is large or small, because when you do your duty you are collaborating with the Heavenly Father, who has determined that this is the work that you alone must do to carry out his plan in history (cf. Lk 2:49, Jn 17:4). Many people invent complicated ways of practicing virtue and then they complain how difficult it is, but doing your duty is the most certain and simplest path of virtue you can follow. (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

Have one “magna carta”: the Beatitudes (Mt 5:3-12). Jesus proclaimed them in the Sermon on the Mount. Live according to them and you will experience a happiness which you will then communicate to all whom you meet. (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

Reflection

The Beatitudes are the charter document of our true citizenship. As we live by the vision of the
Beatitudes we give witness to where our ultimate citizenship resides: the Kingdom of God. In this living of the Beatitudes we become salt and light for others. “And as we let our own light shine we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same…” (Nelson Mandela)

You have only one moment which is the most beautiful: the present moment (cf. Mt 6:34, Jas 4:13-15). Live it completely in the love of God. If your life is built up like a large crystal from millions of such beautiful moments, it will be a wonderfully beautiful life. Do you see how easy it is? (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

Your only food: “The Father’s will (Jn 4:34); that is, you live and grow by the will of God. Your actions proceed from the will of God. The will of God is like food which makes you live strongly and happily; if you live apart from the will of God, you will die. (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

There is only one truly important thing: “Mary chose the better part” when she sat at the Lord’s feet (Lk 10:41-42). If you are not living an interior life, if Jesus is not the very life and soul of your activities then…. You fully understand the consequences of such living and so there is no need for me to repeat them here. (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

For your apostolate use the one most effective means: personal contact. With this you enter into the lives of others, you understand them and love them. Personal relationships are more effective than preaching and writing books. Contact between people and “heart to heart” exchanges will be the secret of your perseverance and your success. (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

There is only one thing lacking: “Go home and sell all that belongs to you; give it to the poor, and so the treasure you have shall be in heaven; then come back and follow me” (Mk 10:21). You have to make up your mind once and for all. Our Lord wants volunteers free from other attachments. (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

Cherish one desire: “Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10), so that throughout the earth all nations will know God as he is known in heaven; so that on this earth everyone will begin to love one another as in heaven; so that also on this earth there will be the beatitude that there is in heaven. Make the effort to spread this desire. Begin now to bring the happiness of heaven to everyone in this world. (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)

There is only one thing you must fear: sin. When the court of the Greek emperor held a meeting to discuss the question of how to take revenge on Saint John Chrysostom for his forthright denunciation of the empress, the following plans were suggested:

Have one ideal: to turn toward God the Father, a Father who is all love. The whole of our Lord’s life, his every thought and deed, had but one goal: “the world must know that I love the Father, just as the Father has commanded me, that is what I will do” (Jn 14:3), and “I always do what is pleasing to him” (Jn 8:29). (Cardinal Van Thuan, Five Loaves and Two Fish)