Tuesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
St. Benedict writes at the beginning of his Rule: “Do not be daunted immediately by fear and run away from the road that leads to salvation. It is bound to be narrow at the outset. But as we progress in this way of life and in faith, we shall run on the path of God’s commandments, our hearts overflowing with the inexpressible delight of love.” His sentiments are themes that occur in the Gospel.
I think there is a “narrowness” that we experience in our spiritual lives. Making time for prayer, remaining consistent, and persevering through dryness, are challenges that occur especially at the beginning. We want to give up, and there is a real struggle with making God our number one priority. St. Benedict seems to indicate that the monk will gain experience and foster virtue in walking this road to God. The Catechism discusses human virtue and choosing the good: “With God’s help, they forge character and give facility in the practice of the good. The virtuous man is happy to practice them.” When we are seeking the good, we know the real joy that it brings, and keeping to a habit of prayer is easier once we have established it!
The fault is to think that we have to somehow walk this narrow way on our own. We may think that God is indifferent to our efforts, but God actually wants, far more than we do, to draw us closer to Himself. Therefore, first ask for the grace to walk this narrow way, God will give it. If we try to do it all on our own, God will inevitably allow us to fail, because a relationship with God entails we depend completely on Him. Let’s invite God into every action of our day!
Reflection by Fr. Paul Sheller, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections