Turbulent times are unsettling, and we bring this unsettled state into our prayer as well. This is when St. Ignatius of Loyola’s approach to prayer can be very helpful. In the Spiritual Exercises, he recommends placing ourselves into the Gospel scene with the help of our five senses…
We all have bittersweet memories, those memories which were of good times but now due to life circumstances have a taint of bitter to them. This typically comes with the death of someone dear to us or a break in a relationship with another person, but it can also be a challenge to one’s own identity—a looking back at youthful dreams which now in later years of life will likely never be fulfilled.
As a society, we have lost our capacity for kindness. The gift of our faith is that it—we–are the storehouse of kindness to bring to the world. We need to be in continuous contemplation of God within us and about us to do so. This comes through living a discerning life, for prayer is meant to transform, not just inform. From simple habits come profound wisdom and authentic holiness.
The month of July is dedicated to His Precious Blood which He shed for each of us personally. Yet 70% of Catholics do not know or believe that the Eucharist is the body, blood, soul and divinity of Christ. 40% of Americans raised Catholic permanently leave the church not understanding what they leave behind. We must become Faith ‘first-responders’.
Sometimes healing and relationship seem forever out of our reach. Whether short term or lifelong, if I can’t develop a meaningful relationship with another person—my neighbor, my coworker, my family member—how could I possibly develop one with a ginormous God?
The prayers of the faithful warm God’s ears. The prayers of the saints warm God’s heart. Pure and unclouded prayers will touch His heart. Ask for the Holy Spirit to cleanse our hearts.
If God kept His covenant with David (Psalm 132:11), in spite of his behavior, and left Solomon with a tribe to rule in spite of his behavior (1Kings 11:34), how much will He do for us and those for whom we pray?
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…
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!
In Holy Week we were given much to ponder, including Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Jesus knew it would happen, and still loved him anyway. For us, however, whether betrayed directly and expectedly, or blindsided by the unexpected, it is difficult for us to see the potential worthiness in the act. We seek to forgive others for our own relief, but we need to be transformed in order to love them. Are we prepared to be disposed to God’s re-creating Grace moment by moment? We might shout YES assuming that Grace is packaged in a soft fuzzy moment. But more often the Grace is delivered through a trial, just as transforming coal into diamonds is a process.