16 January 2010: On spiritual progress

‘Our motives.’

First -- As Christians, it is our ‘obligation’ to seek perfection. Our Lord’s words, ‘Be you therefore, perfect', are for us a positive command. To aspire to it always by generous and constant efforts.

Second -- Its ‘utility’. To progress in virtue is to gain more merit, and thus increase our glory and happiness in heaven.

Third -- Its ‘facility’. Our circumstances are so favorable. Born of a Christian family in a predominantly Christian country. Instead of obstacles we have abundant help.

Why then do we still make so little progress? Due to a weak and inconstant will?We ‘wish’, but do not ‘will’ ably. We begin, and leave off. Progress supposes effort; we make no effort. We must always bounce back soonest!

‘Some signs of spiritual progress’ --

1) feeling more deeply the happiness of our state in life and increasingly value it; 2) falling less frequently into certain venial sins; 3) conquering temptations more easily; 4) more frequent acts of mortification; 5) if we have certain attractions which give us more devotion in Holy Communion, in visits to the Blessed Sacrament, etc; 6) if we feel more contempt for all that is not of God, and easier in ridding ourself of self-love; and 7) bearing crosses and humiliations with more courage, patience, and resignation.

‘Means of spiritual progress.’

Three principal ones are: 1) to put on our spiritual armor every morning upon awaking, the heroic minute, resolving to make the day fruitful in good works; 2) to maintain, as best we can, a spirit of interior joy and confidence. ‘I have run the way of Thy commandments, when Thou didst enlarge my heart’ (David); and 3) to preserve our original fervor or renew it if it has weakened.

Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp338-40

Fraternal Relationships among Christians

“Behold, how good it is, and how pleasant, where brethren dwell as one!” (Ps 133:1) We are closely linked by fundamental common bonds in the Bible, God’s Word, in the apostolic faith which we profess in the great creeds and which becomes our life in Baptism. Deepening of ‘baptismal sacramentality’ opens up incredibly positive perspectives to us along the path of full unity.

Prayer for unity, raised up in each of our communities, or also, when possible, in fraternal union of hearts, is the best means for drawing down the Spirit of concord upon the ecumenical enterprise, He who transforms our will and renders them docile to His inspirations. ... It is very important for all efforts ... for ‘relationships’ among all those bearing the name of Christian to be ‘fraternal’. ...

It is suitable to go on purifying the memory of the past so as to launch a future of reciprocal comprehension. Various forms of collaboration do exist between the Catholic Church and the other Churches and Communities. ...

It is necessary to go on making efforts for accomplishment of the Lord’s desire, manifested at the Last Supper: “That all may be one ... that the world may believe ...” (Jn 17:21) “That all are firm in unity of spirit and exerting ourselves with one accord for the faith of the Gospel” (Phil 1:27), to the glory of the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Ref: cf Pope John Paul II, “Prayers and Devotions”, 1994, p64

Contrition and interior growth

“If you say ‘enough’ you are already dead.” (St Augustine, "Sermon 5", 3) Only a lack of love is what causes a soul’s life to fall sick. Only a failure in generosity towards God, can delay or prevent our union with him. “The vessel of faith carried to the fountain is filled according to its capacity.” (cf St Augustine, Commentary on St John’s Gospel, 17)

Jesus Christ is an inexhaustible source of help, love and understanding. With what longing do we approach him? Lord, we say to him in prayer, make us thirst for you more and more intensely than the dying man in the desert craves for water!

Our interior life is challenged to grow amidst adverse situations. For the soul, there is no obstacle greater than what our own wretchedness creates; and as a result of our carelessness and lack of love. But in those circumstances the Holy Spirit moves us to respond with an act of contrition.

“God, be merciful to me a sinner!” (Lk 18:13) St Francis de Sales teaches that we should feel strengthened by silently saying such aspirations, filled with love and sorrow, and desires for a deep reconciliation, thus come to trust in his merciful Heart. (cf St Francis de Sales, “Treatise on the Love of God” 2, 20) Acts of contrition are effective for spiritual progress.

To ask for forgiveness is to love, to contemplate Christ with growing dispositions of understanding and mercy. Since we are sinners (cf 1 Jn 1:8-9), our way will be filled with acts of sorrow, of love, that fill our soul with hope and renew our longing to return to Christ time and again, without becoming discouraged.

Although there may be many times when we have not responded well to Love, God’s mercy is infinite, and it encourages us to start again with a new determination and renewed hope. We must be like the prodigal son, who, instead of remaining far way in a foreign land, filled with shame and living in misery, “Came to his senses ...” (Lk 15:17-8).

God never abandons us. He always welcomes us, comforts us and moves us to begin again with more love, with more humility. Our weaknesses help us to seek divine mercy, and to be humble. Growth in the virtue of humility means we are able to advance in the interior life. All the virtues benefit from our being more humble.

If we often think of those small things which, although irrelevant, separate us from God, we will be moved to sorrow and contrition, and be brought closer to him. Thus, our interior life emerges enriched.

If it is difficult to begin again, we go to Mary who eases the way to her Son. We must ask her to help us make many acts of contrition.

Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 3:139, 144

On this day Our Lady of Mountserrat, in Spain, miraculously delivered several captives from the tyranny of the Turks. (“Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar; http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)