We are currently conducting a class called, “Catching Fire, Becoming Flame” on Tuesday mornings. The focus of that class is development of spirituality and building skills for participation or facilitation of a small group. Over the next several weeks, I’ll touch on some of the concepts that we have covered in that class. Fr. Albert Haase, OFM has penned a book by the same name, and his presentations serve as the inspiration for the class, and these topics as well. I am bringing these topics to the bulletin because they are of huge value for anyone of faith, regardless of their level of involvement in the life of the Church. Our first topic is about the “spiritual journey” itself: What it is, and a few guiding principles.
First of all, Fr. Albert starts with a definition: “The spiritual journey is a process of being transformed by the Spirit of God, into a ‘little Christ’ for the loving service of the present moment.” We all know that the goal of Christianity is to become more like Christ. When asked, “’Teacher,’ which commandment in the law is the greatest?” [Jesus] “said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:36-40). His entire ministry was directed by these words, and his goal was to make this message the guiding force in the life of his disciples. St. Paul can serve as a prime example of someone who understood what the Christian journey is all about. He said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Once we know that our goal is love, that idea of “dying to self” can still seem daunting. As my spiritual director would say, “It is simple, but not easy.” What we are talking about is choosing to do the loving thing in all of our actions and human interactions. So simple… but not easy. One good thing, though, is that the more you do it, the easier it becomes. It is like building a muscle. That’s how virtues work. The other good thing is that you don’t have to master your entire spiritual life in one fell swoop. It is in living in the moment, and choosing love in the moment that helps you to build the virtue of love. Like the Nike slogan that most of us know, “Just do it!” Each choice is an opportunity to grow closer to Christ.
The process of becoming a “little Christ,” like Fr. Albert names it, is something that isn’t removed from our everyday lives. We don’t have to move into a convent or monastery. On the contrary, God is asking us to use the circumstances of our regular, everyday lives to live out this virtue of love. We are all given gifts and talents to accomplish great, and loving acts as a parent, or as a student, or whatever role you might play. However, it is even in, and through, the challenges of our lives that we can still grow in our journey of growing to be more like Christ. Our actions in times of trial can build us in regard to our virtues. I bet we can all think of someone who is an inspiration in that regard. More next week.