William Marmande Sr.
March 19, 2015
Xavier Keion Richard
March 20, 2015
I have been writing my “What a Life!” column for the past 16 years. Some people have been asking me, “When are you going to put your columns in a book?” Well, that day has finally arrived. The book is called, “What a Life!: Daily Readings for a Holistic Spiritual Life.”
When I wrote my first weekly column in December 1998, I stated my intentions for the articles: “What a Life?” is a weekly religious column intended to make people think about issues that are important to people today. I hope to give my readers material that will deepen their lives and make them more aware of the God of Life. I invite readers’ responses and participation.”
People have responded with encouragement, ideas and materials that I have used in my columns. I now write for four newspapers in the Southeastern Louisiana Bayou area – The Times in Houma, the Lafourche Gazette, the Morgan City Daily Review and the Pierre Port Bayou Journal. At one time, I wrote for nine different newspapers before I started charging for the columns to obtain money for my foundation that helps church parishes develop new ministries.
With suggestions from my readers, I have picked out 370 articles from the more than 800 articles I have written. The reason for 370 articles instead of 365 is because I included one for the leap day, and four for the solemn days in Holy Week – Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. I have tried to emphasize spirituality for all Christians.
What do I mean by a “Holistic Spiritual Life?” Jesus became one with us “in the flesh.” God has entered human life to redeem the whole person. In John’s gospel Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have to the full” (John 10:10). Jesus was not talking about life only after we die. He was talking about life, which continues into eternity.
Sometimes we divorce religion and life. In John’s first letter it says, “How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action” (1 John 3:17-18). We need to apply the gospel principles to all of life and act on them.
Our spirituality should involve our everyday life. We do not have two lives – a religious one and a secular one. We are one entity – body, soul and spirit. We do not try to shed our humanity so we can become divine. In the second chapter of Philippines Paul tells us that Jesus emptied himself of his divinity so we can learn to be human, just like Jesus.
The advantage of having these writing in a book form is that you can use it as a meditation book and talk about the daily message with others who have purchased the book. It also can be used for discussion groups or a prayer group reflection.
You can purchase the “What a Life!” book at God’s Promises Books and Gifts in Houma, Galliano Religious Supply House in Galliano, God’s Precious Word and Gifts in Thibodaux, Angels Everywhere in Morgan City, St. Joseph Church in Chauvin, St. Bernadette Church in Houma, Sacred Heart Church and Holy Cross in Morgan City, Sacred Heart Church in Cut Off, and the Diocesan Pastoral Center in Schriever, St. Joseph the Worker in Pierre Part. They will also be available at the Diocesan Youth Rally on March 28.
I will also have signings at various churches in the months to come. Please check your church bulletins. I am willing to send people a book by mail. I will be glad to sign whatever you want to put on the first page. My e-mail is: willietodd@juno.com. The books make great gifts. E3
We do not live two lives – a religious one and a secular one. We are one entity – body, soul and spirit.
THE REV. WILMER L. TODD
Guest Columnist
