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“The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing.” I heard this recently in a homily. It got me thinking, and, of course, writing too. Maybe it will get you thinking as well. Please read more.

I heard that quote ten days ago while I was back in my hometown attending my 50th class reunion. Ever since hearing the quote in that homily it has continued to echo in my heart. It’s simple, catchy, and yet deeply profound:

“The most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing.”

I don’t know who originally said it. Some attribute it to Stephen Covey, others to a business leader, and some even to a football coach. But regardless of the source, it holds a powerful truth, especially for those of us seeking to walk in the footsteps of Jesus.

It’s easy to lose our way, not necessarily by taking a wild detour into obvious sin, but simply by drifting. Life throws so many priorities at us: careers, family obligations, financial concerns, health, social activities, ministry, work, and the constant buzz of digital life. Even good things, yes even church things, can become distractions when they take our focus off what matters most.

Jesus was once asked to name the most important commandment. Without hesitation, He replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

There it is—the most important thing!

Our primary purpose as Christians is not success, safety, comfort, or popularity. It is not even to serve in a thousand ministries or attend every church function. Our primary call is to love God completely and to love others generously.

It’s surprisingly easy to forget that.

Think about Martha and Mary. When Jesus came to their house, Martha got caught up in the flurry of activity. She was “anxious and worried about many things,” while Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, simply listening. When Martha complained, Jesus gently reminded her:

“There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:42)

In Latin, Jesus’ words are recorded as: “Porro unum est necessarium,” meaning “But one thing is necessary.” The phrase “unum necessarium” captures the heart of the Gospel in just two words. Mary chose it. She chose to sit at the feet of Christ. She chose to be present, to listen, to love.

Mary remembered the most important thing.

We are living in a time when distractions are more aggressive than ever before. Social media, 24-hour news cycles, entertainment, and even religious debates can pull us into a storm of secondary concerns. We may begin with good intentions, but somewhere along the way, our focus shifts.

So how do we “keep the most important thing the most important thing”? It begins with daily intentionality.

We might ask ourselves:

• Did I give God my first attention today?
• Did I carve out time to pray, read Scripture, or sit silently with the Lord?
• Did I love someone today with a heart that reflects the love of Christ?

When we anchor ourselves in God’s presence and prioritize love over everything else, we find clarity. The noise fades. The heart steadies. The path becomes clear.

St. Paul said it plainly, “If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a resounding gong… And if I have all faith so as to move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-2) Even Paul, a man of vision, strategy, and passion, knew the most important thing wasn’t preaching, or writing Scripture. It was love. And love begins with Christ.

He is not just a part of our life. He is our life. (Colossians 3:4)

So today, we should all take a few quiet moments to reflect. What has our attention? What’s been stealing our focus from what matters most? Is our schedule packed, but our soul empty? Are we busy for God but distant from Him?

We might need to:

• Return to the center.
• Sit at His feet.
• Love Him with all our heart.

And then, love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

Because, after all, the most important thing… is to keep the most important thing… the most important thing.

Heavenly Father, help me to always remember that the most important thing is to keep the most important thing the most important thing. I know that the most important thing is to keep you first in my life and to love others as I love myself. Jesus demonstrated that to us. Help me always to follow in His footsteps. Amen!

AMDG 

 I always love to hear from you. You can email me by clicking here.

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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