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I will rise again

For though I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light. (Micah 7:8)
 
Because we are about to enter Fall, I find it slightly amusing that the topic I find myself called to write about this month is falling.  This topic has been on my heart often especially in the last few months. You see, as a mother I really struggle with letting my daughter fall, or fail at anything.  I want to go before her every step removing all obstacles and dangers that might come in her path.  Maybe part of this urge comes from the mother’s instinct that God is forming in me, but part of it also comes from my daughter’s trauma history.  
 
Having been a foster child and bounced from home to home, my daughter has bumps and bruises that are not visible to the human eye.  They show themselves in surprising ways… like a meltdown after having the best day ever or breaking a toy she waited so long to get.  She has made so much progress and the effects are shorter before she picks herself back up, but still she falls and I have to let her.  I am praying for the grace to get better at this.
It makes me think of my own falling… falling short of what God calls me to do… the times in my past when I have clung to darkness instead of allowing myself to repent and turn toward the Light.  There were even times when I have fallen that I became a force working against myself, keeping myself down by belittling myself or believing in the lies that I tell myself about being unlovable or unforgivable. There were also times when I didn’t go to Him first, but only after all of my other attempts at fixing things on my own had failed. There have even been times when I have held onto habits that I formed to protect myself from getting hurt, but in reality these habits didn’t serve the purpose for which they were designed.  Even though at times I have wished, and sometimes even begged, that God would stop all struggles, difficulties and falls from happening, I have come to realize now that not only am I learning and growing through these challenges, but also that no matter how many times I fall, God will be right there lovingly waiting to help me get back up.  
 
So now, with God’s help, my new resolution is not to stop my daughter from ever having to fall, but instead be willing to patiently and lovingly wait to help her get back up.  Lord, help me to remember to turn to You first when I witness or experience a fall and always follow your loving example of encouragement and healing. Amen!
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This is Our Vocation

Have you asked yourself, at any moment in your life, what your vocation is? We have done it, yes. What answer have we arrived at? Our vocation is marriage. In fact, we just got married this past July 31st and it’s one of the best decisions we have made with God.

To discover a vocation and to live it are two very different things; that’s why we need to ask ourselves a second question: What do I need to live my vocation? My wife and I think that there is no incorrect answer. In our short experience, we feel that God has shown us his answer: charity and faith. Charity stems from God alone, who died for us as proof of his love. It’s God in the person of Jesus Christ who gives us the love which enables us to love each other as spouses and carry out our vocation. Faith, too comes from God, the one who believed with fidelity in both the Word made flesh and in Mary, our mother.  On a daily basis, through the praying of the holy rosary, we ask to have the faith of Mary, a faith to believe and continue to be loyal to God’s plan for us.

Recently, we had the opportunity to visit Mexico on our honeymoon. Today, we want to share a little part of the life story of two heroes we had the opportunity to meet.

To the first one (we will call him “Martin” in honor of St Martin de Porres) we bumped into a couple of times and noticed that his eyes were full of happiness and love. One day, very early, while he was bringing breakfast to our room, he greeted us with happiness. When he found out we were newlyweds, he talked to us briefly about his family. In a few seconds, he pulled out his wallet to show us the picture of his one-year-old daughter. We understood that the love that sprung from his eyes came from the happiness of feeling loved by his wife and daughter.  With that same love he did his job. Despite how early it was and how laborious it is to be a waiter, Martin’s eyes danced with happiness and his gaze was full of hope and thankfulness. “Martin” was full of energy and his happiness was in its maximal expression.

The second one we’ll call “Cristobal” in honor of St. Christopher. Cristobal took us to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. My wife’s facial expression was one of an astonished little girl. It was as if I had just taken her to an amusement park. Cristobal was very kind to us and left us at the entrance of the Basilica. Later on, we met him again and asked him if he wanted to accompany us to Mass. He kindly accepted. To share this time with him (a day and a half) was a great lesson for us as newlyweds. Cristobal, a family man, works as a driver to earn his bread and feed his family. He is a man who reflects perseverance. He was very patient with us…always wearing a smile.  He took us to wherever we indicated we wanted to go. He was an excellent tour guide!

In a special way, we invite you to feel the love of God for all of us. It’s a supernatural experience, and we know it because we’ve lived it. Let’s fall in love together with our vocation! Let’s be bold and let’s dream God’s dreams! With love and faith we’ll live a saintly life. The examples of “Martin” and “Cristobal” serve as testimonies that we can do everything for love, even the smallest things. If our vocation is something so important in our lives, why can’t we do all the little things it encompasses, with love? That’s where our daily encounter with Jesus, the one who loved us first, lies. Let’s put ourselves in the hands of his mother, who is also our mother, and pray to her that she grants us the faith she always had. This is our vocation: to love each other passionately in everything, especially in the small things.

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Walk Hand in Hand with the Father

Walking is, first of all, the command that God gave to Abraham: “Walk in my presence and be perfect.” I go for a walk almost every day; it is my time to do a little exercise and think.  When I walk, with whom do I do it and where and which way do I go? And how is my walk through life? Do I walk in the presence of God to achieve holiness?

I know that God walks by my side, when I am righteous and when I sin too. We are not alone in our journey; the God of time and history walks with each one of us. God wants to walk with us, to meet us on the way.  We should not be scared of the things that happen to us on our way. God has been patient with all who have lived in grace and sin. We walk with our weaknesses, sorrows, joys and strengths, towards a goal of holiness, which prepares us for the definitive encounter with Christ.

Pope Francis, commenting on the Gospel of the sending of Jesus to the disciples to announce the Good News, recalled that Jesus sends us not only to “walk,” but also to forge a path.  We have a mission to announce the message of Salvation.

The COVID-19 Pandemic has made us stay at home.  It has deprived us of attending Church to receive the Sacraments or visit Jesus. Now that the virus is under control – or almost – where do we walk? Where do we go? Could it be that we are going to stay at home, comfortable? The Holy Father used to say that he who remains detained and does not go out on the roads to live the Good News and announce it, does not give to others what he has received in Baptism; he is not a true disciple of Jesus, since he lacks the missionary character to get out of himself and bring something good to others.

Let us, then, begin with the interior journey; let us seek the Lord every day in prayer, in meditation, “so that our experience of the Gospel is not weak, diluted, or without strength.” (Pope Francis. Homilía del jueves: Si un discípulo no camina para servir no sirve para caminar. 2019) Let us walk to announce and serve. Our life is not for ourselves, to be locked up at home, but to give to others.

Today, let us respond to the Pope’s invitation to go forth, like Mary Our Lady, to meet others and accompany them on their journey. In a special way, we are invited to walk with the many young people who are distancing themselves from the Church and who, for many reasons, hope that someone will listen to them and give them testimony of God’s tender love. Let’s also walk with families, many of whom face the challenges of staying together. “A missionary disciple,” said the Holy Father in Amoris Letitia #200, “who accompanies others must follow the example of Jesus and Mary. He must be able to discern the presence of God in ordinary life; make the decision to go out to the peripheries; walk with “the other” in the style of Jesus; act with justice and tenderness; contemplate and walk towards others.”

How do I “walk” in my story? Do I let God walk with me or do I want to walk alone? Do I let Him caress me, help me, forgive me, and take me forward to meet Jesus Christ? In our walk towards God, we meet our brothers and sisters, and together, we humbly ask Jesus to give us peace, that peace of the heart that God gives us when we let Him take us by the hand and walk with us.

 

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Let God be God

Even though it’s true that only the Lord, Creator of us and all living things, has given us multiple talents and capacities to administer this Earth where we live, it’s also true that many times we simply forget that we are creatures, and that creatures cannot be larger than their creator.

Have you even seen a shooting star? Do you think you are capable of deciding when it passes by, at what velocity and how distant from earth?

God’s son was born in a manger. According to your criteria, would you think that God deserved to come into a more comfortable or noble place, in this world? Do you think you would be able to change this?

On a daily basis we are confronted with situations in which we pretend to impose our opinion or our way of doing things without even thinking for a moment what God’s plan is. It is difficult for us to abide by God’s Will and we easily believe we have better ideas than God Himself. We even dare  to tell God what He should do for us – and even worse – how He should do it.

When we become accustomed to making decisions without previously praying to God, and asking him to enlighten us, or when we seek important paths that, despite their apparent structure and depth don’t include loving God, it is highly probable that this will end up distancing us from the peace and happiness that one derives from walking in God’s path.

Like me a few years ago, many people think that they have the control of all situations and that they can handle it on their own. With lots or little knowledge: I plan, I organize, I project, I execute…I do so much that I leave out the possibility of seeing the marvelous things that God can do in my soul when I am willing to let Him Do and Be in my life.

God knows how, why and for what He does what He does. What we need to do is to be humble and be willing to accept and live the will of God.  Taking into account that, by being God, God is always right and His plans and paths are not the same as ours, and accepting that our gaze is limited while God sees and knows everything, enables us to adjust our perspective and trust that whatever comes our way will be for our well‑being. How could this be any other way if God always wants the best for His children?

One day my spiritual director saw me in a rush making so many plans. Calling my attention, he asked me, “Cristina, why don’t you let God be God?”

That day I understood that the only way to let God be God is to keep my senses open to the inspirations and mandates of God, and that this can be achieved through prayer and by asking God to give me prudence, docility and the willingness to let Him do His will on me and through me.

Is it easy?  No, especially for someone like me who is accustomed to DOING and not waiting!  It takes patience to start to understand and accept God’s plan for our lives.  “Let God be God” has been the best advice I have ever received, because since then, the Lord has not stopped marveling me with everything and in everything. How happy is my heart every time I let God be God in my life!  While I do very little, He, so lovingly, so sweetly, so providently does His ALL for me!

God wants what is best for us;  therefore, let’s allow ourselves to be healed, cleansed and saved by God’s Divine Will!

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The Shadow We Cast: Let’s Set a Good Example for Our Children

Have you ever realized the significance of the shadow you cast as you educate, guide, and set an example for your kids?

In the past, I have written to you about marriage: its beauty, the importance of building a strong foundation, the challenges, and the need to sustain and grow from those challenges. Marriage is one of the most beautiful blessings we can all experience as it gives us the opportunity to build a family and experience the joy of nurturing life through our sons and daughters.

Being a parent is both a gift and a privilege, but it also bears significant responsibilities. When we become parents, through natural birth, adoption or fostering, we take on the responsibility and obligation of forming, teaching, educating, guiding, and supporting our children as they grow and go through their own lives. We need to teach them values that will make them balanced individuals andlow them to face and experience the beauties and challenges of life.

Our kids will learn not only from what we teach them, but from following our lead, learning from our example, attitudes, and actions. We need to be conscious about this, as our example will be a key and significant portion of our children’s growth and education. Our attitudes and ways of living will become the base and norm, as well as the path to follow. Are we aware that the shadow we cast will be a key factor on their upbringing and on how they live their lives? It may sound simple, but our example is probably the most important factor in their education.

If we treat each other with respect and have solid moral values, our children will learn to do the same in their lives and marriages. If we don’t have values and are disrespectful or mistreat each other, they will probably act the same. Therefore, we must be aware and conscious of the examples we set for them!!!!

Educating kids in the Catholic faith also bears a significant responsibility. First, as a Catholic family, we are called to create a Domestic Church in our home. This Domestic Church enables our children to develop solid morals and values which will be influenced by our actions, intimate moments, and memories. The respect between each other is essential as we build this Domestic Church, where every family is a community of faith, hope, and charity.

As parents, we are called to be the first announcers and educators of faith to our kids. We do this by example and we bear the responsibility of guiding them and bringing them closer to their faith. Educating them by this faith does not mean taking them only to religious education; it means helping them to experience the sacraments and being committed to bringing them closer to God and the Church. Many actions are needed for this education; among them are bringing them to mass and teaching them how to pray and care for each other and the poor. It is a daily and continuous commitment. By our example, we are educating our children in the faith. We have to reflect: are we good role models by following the principles of the Church?

Through key moments in our children’s lives and through the sacraments, we as parents, must make commitments to our children’s Catholic education. For example:

  • Through Baptism, we present our children to God and commit to educating them in the Catholic faith and being good examples for them.
  • Through their First Communion, we commit to bringing them the experience of the Body of Christ and drawing them closer to the Faith.
  • Finally, through the preparation for their Confirmation, we lead them to their own commitment to the Church and the Faith.

Over the past few weeks, my wife, Martha, and I had the opportunity to travel with our son, Berni, who is currently 21 years old. He has been curious about our life, our choices, our commitments, and our decisions. Through these different conversations, it became clear to me that our children will always seek our views and want to learn about our experiences. I was able to realize once again the importance of our actions, the influence our actions can have, and the complex role we play as parents. Through the shadow we cast, every action will be followed and every attitude may be copied.

Having kids is a privilege, but also a responsibility!!! Let us be conscious of the shadow we cast!!!

 

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“Be not afraid”

If we take a look at the four Gospels, we will find many instances where God invites us to not be afraid: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah;” “Do not be afraid, Mary;” “Do not be afraid, shepherds;” “Do not be afraid, Peter;”; “Do not be afraid, little flock;” “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body;” “Do not be afraid. It is I;” “Peace be with you;”; “Do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.”

Whether we like it or not, fear is part of our human life.  Since we were kids, we have experienced fears that many times were groundless and eventually disappeared. As adults, we may also experience fears when facing difficult situations — pain, misunderstanding, loneliness, uncertainty, death — and we must face and overcome them through our efforts and with God’s help.

Nevertheless, a true disciple of Jesus does not have to be afraid because he is not alone.  God is a loving Father, who, if He takes care of even the tiniest details of His creatures, how much more then will He look after His faithful children? The solution is to LOVE.  He, who is afraid, does not know how to love and does not know God, nor has he truly experienced God’s love in its fullness. On this point, here is a comment from Pope Benedict XVI:

The true believer, does not get frightened by anything, because he knows he is in God’s hands; he knows that evil and all that is irrational, does not have the last word; on the other hand, the only true Lord of the world and of life is Jesus, the Incarnate Word, who loved us to the point of sacrificing Himself and dying on the Cross for our salvation.  The more we grow in this intimacy with God, steeped in His love, the more easily we will overcome all sort of fear.

Overcoming our fears by trusting in God’s love also applies to our fear of death.  Though it is natural for us to fear the unknown, as a Christian we should look at death as a natural step, a way back home, a victory after the battle, and a rest after the fight.

If we are truly certain and trustful of God, who awaits us on the other side, we should have nothing to fear.  In fact, Jesus makes this known to us through many of the Gospel passages: “I will go and prepare a place for you;” “He that believes in me, though he may die, shall live;” “Labor not for the food which perishes, but for that which endures unto everlasting life;” “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;” “Whosoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, shall have eternal life.”

So let us walk trustfully and confidently, with our eyes fixed on heaven.  Be not afraid!

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The Ark of God’s Covenant in Heaven

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior for He has looked with favor on His lowly servant. (Luke 1:46-48)

Today’s first reading from the Book of Revelation, far from being a mysterious puzzle of apocalyptic symbols difficult to decipher, is a thrilling story of familiar Biblical images that shows God’s power to save the just from unimaginable evil.  It gestures towards Mary and the lavish love of God for the humble, the poor and the lowly. In Mary, God has shown the full strength of his arm preserving her from bodily corruption and forever lifting up the lowly.  It is no surprise, then, that Elizabeth proclaimed her “blessed among all women” because God looked with favor on her, made her “full” of grace, and incarnated in her womb.

In John’s apocalyptic vision, the Ark of God’s Covenant is unveiled in Heaven when the Temple of God opens: A great sign appeared in the sky, a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. (Revelation 12:1) This beautiful description of the Ark of God crowned in heaven, points to no other but Mary, Queen of heaven and earth, signified by the stars in her crown and the symbolic number twelve.

The Ark was Israel’s most precious religious symbol.  The waters of the Jordan River were parted when the Ark was carried to it; the massive walls of Jericho fell down when the Ark was carried around it.  King David danced for joy in a great procession when the Ark was finally carried into Jerusalem.  In the Gospel of today, we are given a hint of this Marian reality when the child in Elizabeth’s womb, like David before the Ark, leaps for joy at the sound of Mary’s greetings, which would’ve been: “Shalom Aleichem.”

Mary gives birth to a male Child, who is caught up to God in Heaven. The woman is given the two wings of the “great eagle” to fly to her “special place prepared by God,” safe from evil. (Revelation 12:14)  It is clear that unlike her Son, who ascended into heaven, Mary was assumed by a mighty deed of God, as it was fitting that the immaculate body from which He took flesh and blood would not see decay.

Psalm 45 fully discloses the special place prepared by God for Mary: “The Queen takes her place at your right hand in the gold of Ophir.” When the mother of James and John asked Jesus to sit her sons at his left and right hand in His Kingdom, Jesus replied that those places were already prepared by God for those He had chosen.  In Heaven, at the right hand of Jesus, clothed in splendor, sits His Queen Mother, kindly and mercifully looking after her children here on earth.

Since the beginning (Genesis 3:15), the dragon is “angry with the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring, those who keep God’s commandments….” (Revelation 12:17)  be not afraid! Let us remember that the dragon is angry at the woman and will try to dissuade us from calling on her for help. Like the Israelites, we must carry the Ark of God in our hearts during our earthly pilgrimage to the Promised Land. With her powerful intercession, strong fortresses will fall down, raging waters will be parted in two, and our earthly cravings, unruly passions and strong temptations will be destroyed to clear the way to Jesus, our King.

Having such a powerful intercessor, I will run to my Heavenly Mother when I am discouraged, when my faith falters, or when in my humanity, I might feel unworthy to go directly to the King. As a loving Mother, the Queen will receive my petitions with a smile and bring them, and even me, to Jesus. She knows how to approach the King, and I am sure that she will personally ask Jesus, as in Cana, to transform my water into wine, my doubts into faith, and my unworthiness into gratitude for the great things God has done in my life. I know that the King will not deny any of her requests. 

Oh, how confident I would feel, if at the end of my pilgrimage, I am brought to the Throne of Judgement by the hand of my Heavenly Mother to bend the knee before the King of Kings! 

Mary, full of grace, intercede for us that have recourse to Thee!

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Living the Unexpected: Climbing the Mountain of Our Life

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in one of the most beautiful programs of formation and leadership. It was called “Living the Unexpected.” I remember that one of the central moments of this program was a walk to the top of a mountain. Abruptly, at about 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning, while all of us youngsters were sleeping, the program coordinators came and woke us up. That’s when the true adventure of living the unexpected began.

The instructions were clear: we only had to bring, in a small backpack, the things that would be needed for the road. We started a long walk towards the mountain top. Joy and enthusiasm overtook all the participants. Many that had complained for having had their sleep interrupted, now looked enthusiastic and one could feel the adrenaline in the environment.

The road was very dark when we started our ascent towards the peak. We could see how some of the youngsters were starting to change their attitude. The group was starting to disperse. Some who had a fast pace, were separating from the slower ones. Others, who had put in their backpacks some things that were totally unnecessary for the road, were now feeling the weight of everything they were carrying. Soon, a moment came when some of the youngsters could not give one more step forward, perhaps due to their physical shape or because their backpacks were very heavy. I remember a young fellow who approached one of the participants that could not carry his backpack and offered to help carry it. This young fellow now was carrying the weight of both his backpack and that of his friend. I saw others, in very good physical shape, continue to walk without offering any help to those that were tired and faltering at the side of the road, demoralized for not being able to keep up. These youngsters appeared to be focused only on reaching the peak and being declared the winners.

By nightfall it was cold and dark, and some walked in pairs, helping one another. Some others couldn’t keep the pace and were simply left behind. At last, the first group arrived at the top. Some arrived 2 or 3 hours later, either because they were slower or because they were motivating others to continue. One could sense the pain in everyone’s bodies. We were all completely exhausted, but happy for having made it.

After this experience, we got together to do the evaluation and determine who had won. Those that arrived first, were happy as they were sure of their victory. Soon, however, their happiness was squelched when the coordinator said, “To go up the mountain, is the same as going up the mountain of our lives.” The coordinator explained that sometimes we want to have and carry with us so many material things that are unnecessary, but with which we make an emotional connection. These things are not needed and the only thing they do, at certain moments, is weigh us down and overburden us.  Other times, as on the mountain, we don’t notice that the person walking by our side, for whatever reason or circumstance needs our help, because we are so focused on ourselves.

So how do we win on the mountain of our life? To reach victory, a life in the faith invites us to walk with others, to not be an egotist, to carry only what is truly necessary, and to live the unexpected. After all, at the end of our days, when we arrive at our final goal, Christ will take into account how we have lived. Christ will see our solidarity with our brothers and sisters and our detachment from the unnecessary, and looking at our eyes He’ll say, “Welcome,” Let’s think about and reflect on how we are walking and climbing the mountains of our lives.

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Being a Disciple of Christ

After this the LORD appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. (Luke 10: 1) 

When I think about the great privilege experienced by Jesus’ disciples, to have been chosen and sent by God himself to proclaim his word, I feel a mix of fascination, curiosity and awe. I ask myself what would be the attributes shared by these disciples, in terms of their personalities, behaviors, character, level of education, general knowledge, capacity to take risks and to lead groups, power of conviction, and even their affability and sense of humor. I imagine the spiritual certitude required by a pair of disciples to propel them to arrive as foreigners in any town, making it their goal to convince its inhabitants that the Messiah has arrived. It’s an admirable task, and to achieve it is indeed a major feat. All of this was possible because Jesus made sure they felt his presence, the force of his spirit, so they knew they were true messengers of the supernatural light of peace from the Creator.

 

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:14-16)

 

How marvelous it is to walk on the face of the earth experiencing internally the light of God! This experience fills us with a peace that surpasses any human understanding, that pours out irrepressibly, that must be shared with everyone, like a river of love that emanates and flows plentifully!

 

I have lately been surprised at finding myself engaged in a prayer in which I ask Jesus to make me his disciple. In this prayer, I beg him to infuse in me little drops of his spirit, little rays of his love, so that I can walk through the world spreading that marvelous light that transforms everything. But then I realize that all of us human beings have been already invited by Jesus to be his messengers, through our thoughts, feelings, words and actions. We don’t have to wait for any supernatural sign that energizes us to initiate the task. We already have the tools to be good Christians, glorifying God with our charity work towards our neighbor, proclaiming Jesus’ resurrection without fear of being ridiculed by the non-believers, and knowing firmly that by growing our faith, we’ll embrace more tightly God’s spirit in our interior temple.

… and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. (Galatians 2:20)

By carrying Jesus inside as a unique treasure, and externally presenting him with our acts, we become noble disciples of the Lord, warriors of the forces of love, peace and hope in this world convulsed by violence, champions of equity and justice, and heralds of the powerful message that Jesus is our alpha and our omega, our beginning and our end.

 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14: 6)

There it is, the answer to my prayers: if I follow the road traced by Jesus with the growing force of my faith, I also convert myself in the light of the world, in disciple and messenger, in benefactor and beneficiary. With the spirit of Jesus inhabiting me, I receive and share peace, wisdom, vitality and love, and glorify my Father in heaven.

 When I walk with God in my soul, the world shapes itself around my steps, and divine justice rains on my footprints. When I forge my unconditional faith and love towards God and his creation, I see the world with Christ’s eyes. Any suffering on the road, any thorns or prickly shrubs that I step on, will be joined to Christ’s suffering on the cross, to accompany him and to understand him more, strengthening my spirit and giving myself to the world without experiencing fear. 

On some occasions, I will stumble, but I’ll get back on my feet every time, with my sights fixated on the power of love. For a messenger of God, there will always be angels ready to help. I invite you to believe in the power of Jesus, to become an obedient disciple, with your thoughts, words and acts. When we imitate Christ, we are true Christians. Jesus is calling all of us to be his disciples. Are you ready to be one?

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A Still Small Voice

This past week, on July 23rd, we celebrated the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden.  Though St. Bridget may not be as well-known as other saints, her wisdom has truly resonated with me.

The first time I heard of St. Bridget was a few years ago when I was surfing the channels on the TV.  Not finding anything of interest, I put down the remote control to use the bathroom.  When I came back, I was tuned in to the tail end of a program on St. Bridget.  I learned that God spoke to St. Bridget frequently during her lifetime.  When asked about this phenomenon, St. Bridget replied, “God speaks to all of us, it’s just that most of us don’t know how to listen.”

When I heard this phrase, I thought, “She is so right.”  It got me thinking that I really, really wanted to learn how to listen to God, but I didn’t know where to begin.  Not long after, I read something by Matthew Kelly of Dynamic Catholic where he said that God speaks to us in very ordinary ways.  God doesn’t speak to us in a loud booming voice, he said, but through a soft whisper.  The problem is most of us have too many voices vying for our attention.  Every day we are bombarded with the voices of advertisers, news media, social media, and society at large.  Often there is so much “noise” in our heads that we can’t even hear ourselves think, let alone hear what God is trying to tell us. 

That’s when I realized that if I was going to learn how to listen to God, I was going to have to nurture my prayer life.  In order to develop a closer relationship with God, I was going to have to spend more time with him.  Matthew Kelly refers to prayer as “the classroom of silence.”  I like this phrase because it helps me to focus on prayer time as a time to learn from God and listen to what He is telling me through my life experiences and my relationships with others.  I have found that the more time I sit in silence and prayerfully reflect on my life, the more successful I am in my life and the more joyful my life is.

Long ago, when Elijah was standing on the mountain waiting for the Lord, he looked for the Lord in “a strong and violent wind, but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:11-12) Let’s face it, like Elijah, we’d all like God to communicate with us through a loud, thunderous voice.  It’d make life’s decisions so much easier.  Yet, just as Elijah found, I have discovered that God talks to us from within, through a knot in our stomachs or a tug on our heartstrings. We spend so much of our lives looking for the extraordinary, but God is found in the ordinary, everyday life all around us.  We just have to learn how to listen.

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