Growing Our Spiritual Lives
Anna Marie Maagdenberg • Jan 13, 2020
We bring the fullness of the Christmas Season to a close with the Solemnity and feast of the Baptism of Jesus.
During the time of Advent and Christmas, we were all encouraged to become more engaged spiritually. Why especially during Advent and Christmas? As we once again prepare to receive the Christ child in our hearts, it is a reminder that all of us are called to live a spiritual way of life. However, life today, surrounded by unrest and evil, makes it easy to lose focus and set aside this call that is so important to our well-being.
To be called and chosen is a gift of God who lifts us up into his kingdom of love. He wants us to respond with willing hearts of desire, aspiration and strong determination rather than waiting passively for his call to be confirmed and known beyond a doubt.
Living a spiritual life requires a human response, including our effort. We then touch the question of whether we can be committed to living a deep spiritual life. Without our disciplined commitment and cooperating with grace, living a true spiritual way of life is impossible.
Discipline is the other side of discipleship because discipleship requires discipline. And there is a cost: the cost of bearing our crosses. The practice of spiritual discipline also makes us more sensitive to hearing the small but gentle voice of God within, thus making us more likely to respond to his call. How often he often calls us but, we do not listen for or hear his voice.
We have an opportunity during Advent and Christmas time to open our hearts to the call of God through the Holy Spirit by being more attentive to our prayer life, perhaps by trying to attend daily mass, spending quiet reflection time in solitude, or taking time to read the Bible and other spiritual readings. This holy discipline can bring us to a deeper spiritual life that is so needed in this broken world.
This is the way of life that is lived by the people who are called to be Servants and Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Mary and Joseph.
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Contact info
Center of Healing Prayer
7158 N. Maine Ave,
Clovis 93619
The Servants & Handmaids Headquarters
PO Box 2309
Santa Maria, CA 93457
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