The Holy Guest of Our Souls

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity wrote, “We must become aware that God dwells within us and do everything in Him, then we are never commonplace, even when performing the most ordinary tasks.”

This sounds like such a simple practice, and it is simple...but not easy. It is so hard to remember, but the more we do remember that God, the Most Holy Trinity, dwells within us and recall His presence as we go about our daily mundane and not-so-mundane tasks, the more our lives will be transformed. We will become more and more like the One who created us, more and more like the One who gave up His life so that we could live forever, more and more like the One who is Love Eternal and whispers inspiration into our souls.

Let us think of Him as we fold our laundry, as we wash the dishes, as we drive to work, as we answer the phone and as we smile when we feel like lashing out in anger. Let us be aware that He is not only watching us, but dwelling within us in the deepest part of who we are. He breathes life into us and constantly wills our existance. As we remember Who is with us, Who dwells in us, we begin to understand the incredible beauty that He has created around us and within us.

Melting our Hearts

Have you ever felt like you have been praying but God hasn’t been hearing your prayer? Or maybe you have been working hard to grow in virtue but see no change in your life despite your best efforts? Maybe you’ve felt like you just don’t know how to pray anymore, although you continue to set aside time to be with Him. Perhaps a lesson from Earth Science class can help us out here.

Let’s put a pot of ice water on the stove and turn on the heat. We will watch the temperature on a thermometer to measure the change in water temperature as the pot sits on the heat, and we won’t look inside that pot. Now, if we watch that thermometer for a while, we will begin to think that nothing is happening. Heat is being applied to the water, but the water isn't feeling warmer.

Suddenly there is a rise in temperature! How can the water go from cold to hot so quickly? Well, the water temperature doesn't rise - it doesn’t change - until all the ice is melted. It seems as though nothing is happening, but something is happening - the heat energy is melting the ice rather than raising the water temperature. Only when all the ice is melted is the heat energy finally able to warm up the water temperature.

Doesn't this make you think of the spiritual life? We may feel as though we work and work to grow in virtue but with no results. Sometimes in our prayer we may feel that we are stuck, that we have stopped moving closer to God. Where is He? Why can’t we reach Him? He may seem very far away. Well, God is often working in the secret of our hearts. Sometimes there are hard, icy parts of us that need to melt before the heat of God’s love can continue to transform other aspects of our lives. We can’t always see those bits and pieces of ice hidden often so deep within our souls, and thankfully God usually reveals them to us just a little at a time so as not to overwhelm us. But if we pray, if we partake of the sacrament, then we are applying heat – the heat of God’s love and mercy. Change is taking place, we must just continue to trust and to love.

Can We Ever Be Perfect?

“You must therefore be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Matthew 5:48 (New Jerusalem Translation)

What does it mean to be perfect? The New Catholic Dictionary defines perfection as “a state of supreme excellence to which nothing is lacking.” Christian perfection is described as “a state of union with God through charity.”

Can we be like God our Father? Can we be holy and perfect? We can! God would never ask us to be something that is impossible for us to be. As our creator, He is in the best position to be aware of our defects, our limitations, and also of our capabilities. He created us in His own image and likeness and our capabilities are often much greater than we imagine. We are journeying on the Little Way to perfection, to holiness, to union with God. Our sanctification is worked out each day in the small and large choices that we make at each moment.

Our Creator has a vision for us that is much greater than we have for ourselves! He sees us whole, our wounds bound up, our hearts full of joy and love. He sees us not just alone anymore but united to Him through charity, through love. He has seen the blueprints for our souls! We were created to love Him so much that we become one with Him, looking like Him and loving like Him.

Hold My Hand, Jesus and Don't Let Go

Please, Lord Jesus, don’t abandon me.

Hold me tightly by the hand

So that I can’t run away from you when I am confused.

I am going through this pain for You, Lord Jesus,

Because in order to walk closer to You,

I have to walk through these things.

I may not think that I am worth it,

But I know that You are worth it.

You – to be closer to You,

To be your beloved,

Your dove,

Your precious one,

Your delight.

This is the pearl of great price.

God Lives Within Us

Blessed Elizabeth of the Trinity wrote,

 “We must become aware that God dwells within us and do everything in Him, then we are never commonplace, even when performing the most ordinary tasks.” 1

It is amazing but true. If we are in a state of grace as baptized Catholic Christians, then the Holy Trinity lives within us. This is a real living within us, not just a dead thing stuck inside us, or something distant that we can't touch, but One who is alive and continues to pour out His grace, love and mercy into our souls. Our awareness of this indwelling presence leads us to change our life and it transforms our smallest actions.

The hardest part is to remember this truth: that our Creator has chosen to live within us. How do we remember? What reminds us? Prayer. We must pray every day for at least 15- 30 minutes just as we must eat and drink and breathe. This time is what animates the rest of our day, breathing the reminder of His presence into the moments we would otherwise forget Him. Prayer is the great secret to happiness, to real joy. It takes so little to reap such delightful and immeasurable benefits. What else are we doing that benefits us not only in the moment but also for all eternity? Our prayers help not just ourselves, this time set aside to be with God also changes the world around us.

How will you pray today? How will you fall in love with God?

1 From Elizabeth of the Trinity, The Complete Works Volume One

The Hidden Blessing of Trials, Sacrifices and Hardships

I have never been on a pilgrimage. Traveling is not something I enjoy and the thought of a pilgrimage has seemed to me merely an opportunity to spend a lot of money to be uncomfortable. However, I do enjoy living vicariously, and so I very much enjoyed the photos and videos in the article series by Dr. Lilles at Beginning to Pray: Pilgrimage as he accompanied a group of seminarians on a pilgrimage through Krakow, Milan, Venice, Manresa, and finally to Madrid. Don’t tell anyone – but I almost want to go on a pilgrimage now, despite the likelihood of being uncomfortable! Here are the words that touched deep into my heart with their truth:

“It is hard to explain the graces that are here. Nothing has been real easy - yet everything filled with so much joy. Trials and sacrifices and hardships are the greatest blessings on a pilgrimage. At the time you do not see it - but then if you are patient and trust - God does some great and unexpected thing. Isn't this just the way He works in our lives all the time when we let Him?” Beginning to Pray: Madrid - a city of great blessings!

God does do great and unexpected things when we least expect it. So often it is after the storms and darkness have raged in our lives. The rains and storms so often serve to wash away the parts of ourselves that get in the way - in the way of loving God, loving ourselves, loving others. We may assess the damage when the storms are over, but often we forget to look for the beautiful flowers that have started to push through the now rich and fertile soil.

Let us always remember to look for those flowers after the storm. It is not so hard to see the large blooms that have grown strong and opened fully and confidently. But sometimes the flowers are very small and we do not take the time to appreciate their delicate beauty. We don’t realize that those very small flowers have roots that run deep and will continue to send up more precious blossoms if we continue to nourish and nurture them.

Maybe you don’t like to travel (like me!) or can’t afford to travel. We can still make little pilgrimages. Some parish Church’s have special shrines we can visit, or perhaps there is a convent or monastery open to the public, or we can make a trip to our local Cathedral for Mass or adoration. Whether we set aside a day to travel somewhere special or an just an hour that would have been spent in other ways, it is the attitude that will make our journey a pilgrimage.

I think we can even make a pilgrimage right at home, by setting aside time to turn within, detaching from all that is around us that keeps us busy, removing ourselves from that busyness and taking a trip deep within the silence of our heart and soul to meet our Creator, the Most Holy Trinity who dwells in our souls from our baptism. How often we forget He is there! He longs for us and invites us to Him. Even if we do not travel geographically in pilgrimage, let us at least travel within to the One who desires to form us into His own image and likeness. And on this pilgrimage let us take the time to appreciate even the tiniest blossoms that have sprouted up in our souls, nurtured by “trials, sacrifice, and hardships” and let us give thanks to the God for that beauty!

To go on an arm-chair pilgrimage with Dr. Lilles and his seminarians, visit his site at Beginning To Pray

How to Be Happy

The Bible offers many reminders for us to give thanks to God, such as “ Always be joyful; pray constantly; and for all things give thanks; this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. If the Word of God and over 2000 years of Catholic spirituality has not been enough to convince us of the necessity of gratitude, modern psychology has confirmed that gratitude is one of the key practices that correlates with feeling happy in life. As Catholics we understand that there is more to life than just “feeling happy.” Feeling happy is nice, but gratitude to God will also open our hearts to His love and bring a deep joy that is much more than happiness. This joy can be experienced even in the midst of sorrows and troubles.

Many psychologists, counselors and life coaches recommend keeping a “Gratitude Journal.” As Catholics, it could be beneficial spiritually and emotionally to spend a few minutes at the end of the day thinking about the good things in our lives, thanking God for them and then recording three of them in a journal. Another practice many find helpful is to make a “Gratitude List” and list all the things in our lives for which we are grateful. This is something we can look back on when we are having a difficult day or experiencing a devastating time in our life.

Expressing gratitude to God is also a type of prayer that we can practice throughout the day. We can tuck it in here or there, reminding ourselves of Who it is who painted the colors of the sunset, or appreciating the flower blooming through the crack in the sidewalk. Gratitude is a wonderful habit to cultivate that can change our lives and lead us closer to God. And that closeness to God brings the best happiness and joy!

What are you grateful for today?

Leave a comment to share your gratitude and joy, or send me an email at alongthelittleway@gmail.com and I will post the responses. Blogger seems to be finicky on accepting comments lately and seems to prefer Google Chrome over Internet Explorer. I apologize if you have had trouble leaving a comment.