Faith

---

SHOW ME THE WAY IN WHICH I SHOULD WALK
Psalm 143:8
By Robin Veronesi

My family and I vacationed in Maine one summer. We rented a cabin on Moosehead Lake in Greenville.

The area is truly God’s country. My whole body detoxified with each breath of crisp, pure air. I never tired of looking at the trees, lakes, loons and the elusive moose.

One characteristic of the area that is both charming and crazy-making is the lack of directions and paved roadways. And you can’t always depend on a GPS or a good map. There are many uncharted, unnamed roads in Maine. The arrow on our GPS was apt to wander into open space, as an emotionless, but perfectly enunciated voice repeated, “Turn around, turn around.” Eventually, it stopped giving suggestions at all, apparently as lost as we were.

Our individual faith journey is a lot like any other journey we take. We find ourselves in new territory or wander off the route we’d carefully planned. Sometimes these detours bring pleasant surprises. Other times we’re left lost and frustrated.

When we’re lost, we may rely on the kindness of a local, someone more familiar with the area, to get us back on track. On our spiritual journey, we can always rely on the loving kindness of God our Father to keep us from getting lost. The key is to listen.

Listening isn’t always easy in a world filled with constant activity and distraction. It is difficult for me sometimes to distinguish between God’s voice, my own ego, and the lies the devil wants us to believe. Even the counsel of loved ones may prove contradictory at times.

I recently sought the guidance of a Spiritual Director at the Spiritual Life Center in Bloomfield, CT (www.spiritlifectr.org). The center's 120 spiritual directors represent a variety of faith traditions, including: Congregationalist, Covenantal, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic.

What is spiritual direction? “Spiritual direction is a process in which one person (directee) meets regularly with a competent person (director) in order to seek some guidance, reassurance, discernment, and affirmation in developing a deeper, richer relationship with the Lord,” writes David E. Rosage in his book Beginning Spiritual Direction.

Spiritual direction is not counseling or confession. Additionally, the spiritual director is an attentive listener who guides the directee on their faith journey, but never imposes their own ideas of spirituality on the other person.
The first time I heard the term was from a visiting priest who was leading a Lenten mission at St. Paul’s. At that time I had no idea that an entire center for spiritual direction existed in Conn.

During my monthly meetings with my spiritual director, we discuss the ways I’ve noticed God at work in my life. One new practice I’ve adopted to help me listen more attentively is called the daily examen. Quite simply, at the end of the day I spend five minutes or so reflecting on these two questions:

“For what am I most grateful today?” “For what am I least grateful.”

Another way to phrase it is: “When did I give or receive the most love today?” and “When did I give or receive the least love?”

This simple reflection has helped me notice patterns in my life. Sometimes, there is a pattern I’d like to change. Other times, the pattern is a positive one that points me in a direction I believe God is leading me.
Whether or not to seek out a spiritual director is a personal decision. “Spiritual direction is sometimes necessary but always useful,” says Rosage in his book.

The good news is we have unlimited access to the Ultimate Spiritual Director. God, who has counted every hair on our head (Mt 10:30), has preferences for our choices -- big and small. If we seek His counsel, He will reveal His will for us.


NOTHING IS MORE PRACTICAL

Nothing is more practical than finding God;
that is, falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.
What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination
will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of
bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings,
how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know,
what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.
Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything.
By Pedro Arrupe, S.J.

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE