Growing up in the confused American church, my family didn’t practice devotions (my mother secretly said her rosary 3x daily) but I recall there was a little room with a small sign “adoration chapel”. I never was taken inside although I tried (as I was one to sneak into “secret” places) but the door was always locked. We were taught the visible rituals of the mass but were not led to find the invisible Jesus therein.
Then, as an adult, came the “aha” moment…
What do the saints teach us about the Body and Blood of Christ? And why does it matter? As our churches prepare to open throughout the world, now is the time for us to know what it is that we are returning to…
The country is slowly moving into the post-pandemic paradigm, and we are trying to grasp the idea of that. Do I return to a busy schedule trying to fit God into it? Or do I make my day centered in our relationship, and trust in Him that necessities will fall into place? Interestingly, when a person schedules their day around God rather than squeezing God into their day, many things change. However, it is easy to fall prey to becoming overly-busy with devotions. Piety isn’t obsessive, it is faithful. It is a state of the heart. The question arises legitimately: am I multitasking or marveling at God?
God hasn’t called us to live life perfectly. He has called us to live life lovingly. He honors our intentions and expects our imperfections. Don’t be afraid. Let Him create a new post-pandemic you!
“With His Grace, the Holy Spirit makes the soul virtuous; with the Gifts, He makes it heroic.” (Don Dolindo Ruotolo)
Differing from our natural talents, strengths and affinities, the 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit render the soul docile to Grace so as to function ‘in a holy way on a higher plane’ in our everyday life because, rather than it being our natural inclination, our actions are driven by the Holy Spirit. Each gift illuminates the Divine for the soul, but is limited to the willingness of the soul to live out the virtues. This preparation, how one lives their life, must come first. Until then, the Gifts of the baptized, confirmed Christian are inactive. What a waste of Grace! Just think if all confirmed Catholics chose one small way every day of acting with prudence and humility: the 7 Gifts asleep in their soul would begin to awake, rustle, and impact our world. It all starts with us; never underestimate the power of 1 heroic soul–yours!
We are in a hidden crisis that is worse than Covid-19 or the economic recession because it will permeate the fabric of society with permanence unless stopped. The re-definition of the meaning and value of life, as well as personhood, has been underway many years and is now on the brink of rapid diffusion. Now is the time for us to push back. In the worst of evil times is when God raises saints, and He calls each of us to step up now. Our entire lives, the good and the bad of it, have prepared us for this very moment in time.
This is the history that must repeat itself through us.