August Lights - Father, Into Your Hands

Dear Friends,

Can you believe we are rounding out the summer of 2021? I hope that despite the heat waves, smoke screens, and COVID uptake, this was restful time. Following the graduation of my 18 year old and 22 year old in May, as well as teaching a 400 class on discernment and assisting with a 300 residency for those seeking certification in spiritual direction, I spent June/July focused on family and several dear friends whom I accompany in the nineteenth annotation. Moving into fall, I want to share a few resources with this caveat: linking does not mean that I support the author or organization in entirety, but these resources on (1) Things I Learned in Spiritual Direction, (2) Being Devoted to One Another in Marriage, and how Current Events Invite (3) Trust, and (4) Simplicity may be pertinent and helpful. 

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1. Things I learned in Spiritual Direction: Those who follow The Abiding Together Podcast, may have read This Present Paradise: a Spiritual Journey with St. Elizabeth of the Trinity by Claire Dwyer. Claire recently wrote about “Things I Learned in Spiritual Direction.” Part one focuses on “notic(ing) what draws you,” or discovering the desires of our heart as placed there by the Lord. While we need freedom from superficial and disordered desires, the deepest desires of our heart are from the Lord, indicating our identity and mission in Him. Part two covers “stay(ing) with the Spirit,” or learning to remain with the light and grace of the Lord, also known as savoring and collecting His graces. How well do you notice and treasure the Word the Lord gives to you, allowing it to bear fruit? These two articles explain that the Lord speaks to us from within (by what we are drawn to) and that we want to remain in His Word (staying on the vine to ripen in Him).
2. Be Devoted to One Another in Marriage: If you are looking for a good podcast or book to boost your marriage relationship, Be Devoted: Restoring Friendship, Passion, and Communion in Your Marriage, written by Bob Schuchts is excellent. Bob was a marriage and family counsellor who founded The John Paul II Healing Institute. He starts with the importance of spiritual unity, and then moves on to emotional unity, daily companionship, cooperative teamwork, and sexual fulfillment in part one. Part two focus on understanding the roots of conflict, healing, and forgiveness, and restoring broken trust. Together with Jake Khym, Bob discusses similar themes in Restore the Glory podcast, beginning with episode #27. I realize some wish they were married, some suffer pain of a divorce, and some live out marriage with all the joys and struggles that covenant with another in the Lord means. If you fall into this last category, have you prayed with your marriage vows lately?  
3. Current Events Invite Trust: the political and ecclesial events of past years have left deep marks upon us. The ongoing sex abuse scandals, the election saga, COVID waves and vaccination debates, the death of George Floyd and BLM, and Pope Francis’ Traditionis Custodes have impacted us in one way or another. While we may have differing opinions among family, friends, and co-workers, let us strive to maintain unity through truth in charity. Let’s drop to our knees, not turn to social media. Don’t these times invite a return to fundamentals, beginning with trust? Control is an illusion that we realize now, more than ever. Letting go of what is outside our control is trust, which stems from listening and obeying the voice of the Lord who is Peace, Counsel, Might, and Eternity (Is. 9). If you do not have Father, Into Your Hands: Abandoning Ourselves to the God Who Loves Us by Wilfred Stinissen, consider purchasing and praying with  this. Another option is Sonja Corbit’s podcast on freedom from anxiety, or, her related book, Just Rest: Receiving God’s Renewing Presence in the Deserts of Your Life. *Please note that if you have been diagnosed with a mental illness, this series/book may or may not be a good supplement to what your doctor and/or therapist has proscribed.
4. Current Events Invite Simplicity: Many lay and religious have (v)blogs, proclaiming to be sole promoters of the “true Catholic faith.” Even “Catholic” media sources are falling into unnecessary and sensational commentary to generate subscriptions as well as gnosticism, a heresy necessitating secret knowledge to be saved - as if knowing details of every (true or false) prophesy, apparition, and video interview will provide the answer. While the sea is stormy, Christ promised the Church in public revelation that the gates of hell would not prevail (Mt. 16: 17-19). This is a clarion call to be media prudent and faith-filled. Why not return with simplicity to the fundamentals of Scripture and The Catechism of the Catholic Church and take concerns to Eucharistic adoration before talking, writing, or acting? Let’s avoid being trigger happy and wandering too far to right or the left. Instead, let’s put our cares into the hands of our Father, who desires that His people return to Him. Let’s be saints, whose action originates in simple intimacy with the Trinity. 

Who knows what this next year will bring, but let’s trust the Lord will provide sufficient grace. Be faithful to prayer, God’s Will, charity towards others, the sacraments, and attempt an annual retreat/conference to keep your fire burning (if you can’t get there in person, find an online option – if you can’t find something, I would consider directing a personal, at-home retreat if requested). Please feel free to reach out if you need to visit about any of the above. Finally, please let me know if there is interest in a series on Ignatian discernment? As well, I will have several openings for the nineteenth annotation this fall if you know of anyone seeking Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life. Let’s pray:
 
Lord, we are scared and confused by the swirl of events that are beyond us. Like Peter in the boat, we ask you to call our name. Grant us the clarity, intentionality, and boldness to step out of the boat at Your command and to walk with eyes fixed on You alone. Should we start to sink, we pray with expectant faith, “Lord, save us.” Jesus, we trust that You will stretch out Your hand to all who call upon You. Mary, by your Assumption, ask your Son to abundantly bless us with purity of heart and magnanimous fidelity to the grace of every present moment. Amen.

Blessings,
Rachel Gehring