The Rev. Eamon Tobin, pastor at Ascension Catholic Church in Melbourne, recently wrote in the July 12 weekly bulletin about a book he is reading that discusses the importance of tending to the soul’s needs in the same way one tends to the body’s needs.

Tobin shared the inside-cover description from the book, “I Heard God Laugh,” by Matthew Kelly.

“‘When our bodies are hungry, our stomachs growl,’” Tobin quoted. “‘When our souls are hungry, we become irritable, restless, confused, overwhelmed, exhausted, anxious, discontent, and tend to focus on the things that matter least and neglect the things that matter most.’”

The Rev. Eamon Tobin | https://www.ascensioncatholic.net/

Tobin wrote that he had recently begun reading the book, and particularly enjoyed words from the “Habit and Potential” section of the book.

“‘Our lives change when our habits change,’” he quoted again. “‘For better or for worse, habits are one of the most powerful influences in our lives.’”

The book states that a person is different from the circumstances they have experienced. 

“‘I am who I am, some people say. But this is a half-truth,’” Tobin quoted. “‘You are who you are, but you are also who you are capable of becoming – and you have amazing potential.’”

While people may not see their potential or may feel trapped in circumstances – may even really be trapped in current circumstances – that does not have to be a permanent state, according to the book.

“‘God and your potential are ready to pull you out of all that with this new habit of daily prayer,’” Tobin continued quoting. “‘Our potential is unleashed with new habits. Habits unlock our potential and no habit does this like daily prayer. And this is only one of many qualities that make it life’s essential daily habit.’”