"You find yourself in a position which seems rather
strange: on the one hand, you feel fainthearted, as you look inward; on the
other, sure, encouraged, as you look upwards. Don't worry: it is a sign that
you are beginning to know yourself better and - more importantly! - that you
are beginning to know him better."
-St. Josemaria Escriva, The Furrow #122
Think about this question: What is one thing this world
needs more of?
If I had to answer that question, I would say courage to
grow in spiritual awareness. I just began reading the book entitled
"Discernment of Spirits" by Timothy Gallagher, OMV. One thing that
struck me in the beginning of this book is the call to have the courage to be
spiritually aware. He speaks of different struggles of being spiritually aware
such as a "simple need for instruction in the area of discernment"
(p. 18) and also our tendency to be "drawn 'without'", outside
ourselves, because the "goods of the senses are more visible, more
tangible, and more readily apparent to us than those of the mind and of the
spiritual order" (p. 19). Gallagher
continues with briefly exploring Blaise Pascal's description of 'diversion' to
offer another reason for our lack of spiritual awareness.
For me, this was enlightening. We live in a world where you
don't have to spend a second sitting in silence, let alone begin to understand
your own limitedness as a person to fully grasp God's limitlessness, if you
don't want to. We can fill our days with all kinds of nonsense and completely
disregard our necessity to understand ourselves and our God better because it
simply does not cross our minds. It's easy to distract ourselves and yet so
difficult to simply be.
The courage that Gallagher talks about is one that is
necessary in our culture, in our world, and our Catholic faith today. I believe
that often times we run from the silences because there is a fear of what we
might hear or come to know about ourselves or the things around us, and the
change it may require in our lives. This courage to take the time to become
spiritually aware is so important in our lives. As Christians we are called be
spiritually aware so that we can continue to grow in knowledge of God's will
for our lives.
Do not be afraid of what God may be calling you to! No matter
the path He has for you, it is one that is meant to purify and sanctify your
soul as well as the souls around you.
Let us pray this week for the courage to seek inwardly the
knowledge of self that leads to knowledge of and love of God.
Written by Alycia
