Spirituality: Finding Balance in Today’s World
The search for spirituality, that connection to something beyond the here and the now, sends us in search of something more. As we search, we find that true spirituality involves a daily trust in the One that created us.
It is our relationship with God that offers us eternal life with Him. Spirituality includes our every day moments and extends beyond every day life. It is the pursuit for our best spirituality and its true meaning for us that not only inspires, but creates harmony with the universe: nature, others and the Holy Trinity.
It is the relationship between us and God that compels us to seek answers. During times of intense emotional, mental, or physical stress, we search for ways to deal with these moments through nature, music, the arts, or mediation. At St. Brigid, a person has the opportunity to be spiritual in various settings. We pray through singing, adoration, or just walking the grounds admiring God’s beauty. As we appreciate God’s gifts, we learn to share all that God has given us through our stewardship and sharing of the many gifts and talents He has given to us.
Ways to develop your spirituality are through:
Reading (see below)
Daily Reflections:
Hot Topic: Slowing Down
“Slow down. Take a deep breath. What’s the hurry?
Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?
But you say, ‘I can’t help it.
I’m addicted to alien gods. I can’t quit.’” ~Jeremiah 2:25
Today’s alien gods are anything from social media to too many activities. Sure, both are great in moderation. But, when these things are filling up our every waking moment, are they not controlling our lives?
Make a point today to take stock of what is taking up all your time, what is making you so exhausted, what is making you so busy that those who are important to you are being neglected. Once, you do, and start to eliminate or reduce these constraints, perhaps you will feel less stressed out, more rested, and more satisfied. Remember, we can make more money. But to do so, we have to sacrifice more time, and time can never be gotten back.
Just a few minutes a day (set a timer for five to start) will make a big impact on how you feel about yourself and the world around you. What to do with those minutes? Rest. Be grateful. Plan out your day, including what not to do, so that you can focus on the important things. Take a deep breath. Just be.
Book Recommendations
Some of the books which have been recommended over the years here at St. Brigid are:
Hinds Feet on High Places
by Hannah Hurnard
“The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” – Habakkuk 3:19
Hinds’ Feet on High Places is one of Hannah Hurnard’s best known and best loved books: a beautiful allegory dramatizing the yearning of God’s children to be led to new heights of love, joy, and victory. Follow Much-Afraid on her spiritual journey through difficult places with her two companions, Sorrow and Suffering. Learn how Much-Afraid overcomes her tormenting fears as she passes through many dangers and mounts at last to the High Places. There she gains a new name and returns to her valley of service, transformed by her union with the loving Shepherd. Included in this edition of Hinds’ Feet on High Places are two special sections: Hannah Hurnard’s own account of the circumstances that led her to write Hinds’ Feet, and a brief autobiography of the author’s life.
Rediscover Catholicism
by Matthew Kelley
We all need to rediscover Catholicism. Central to the beauty and richness of the faith is that it is constantly in need of being rediscovered. Not because it changes, because we change. Who we are and the circumstances of our lives are constantly evolving and so a truth that we passed over a year ago may prove to be completely transformative today. At Dynamic Catholic we are passionate about helping people rediscover Catholicism. Every day we are working hard to develop resources to help individuals and parishes discover the timeless truths of the Catholic faith and how they can be lived out in our everyday lives. Today the work of Dynamic Catholic reaches into the lives of millions of people every year, helping them to grow spiritually and transform their corner of the world… but it all started with a book.
Rediscover Catholicism was first published as Rediscovering Catholicism in 2002. It spent more than seven years (364 weeks) consecutively on the Catholic Book Publishers Association bestsellers list before it was first used in the Dynamic Catholic Parish Book Program. In 2010, a revised and expanded version was published under the new title Rediscover Catholicism. Other than the Bible, it is the bestselling Catholic book in America ever!
Rediscover Catholicism takes us on an adventure of life-changing proportions. Beginning with our common yearning for happiness, Kelly reveals the essence of authentic Catholic spirituality while addressing some of the most important questions we face today both as individuals and as a Church.
Are you happy?
Are you living an authentic life?
Do you really think you will find happiness where you are looking?
How would you like your life to change?
What is God’s dream for your life?
Why have so many people rejected Catholicism?
What does it mean to walk with God in the modern world?
Do the saints have anything to offer you?
Is Jesus still relevant?
Can the ancient traditions of Catholicism help us deal with the modern challenges of
our lives?
Everybody Needs to Forgive Somebody
by Allen R. Hunt
Forgiveness will unleash a power in your life that is underrated and often ignored. It is underrated mainly because it is underused. We fail to capture the power of forgiveness because we are afraid of it, because we have grown comfortable in our familiar wounds, or because we are sinfully stubborn. But the power is there waiting for us. This little book, and the eleven real life stories in it, will help you capture that power. Because everybody needs to forgive somebody.
Rediscover Jesus
by Matthew Kelley
Rediscover Jesus is the sequel to Rediscover Catholicism.
It is time to stop looking for something and start looking to someone—Jesus of Nazareth. It’s time to rediscover Jesus. In Rediscover Jesus, Kelly takes readers on a 40-day spiritual journey to encounter Jesus. Short reflections at the end of each chapter help integrate what readers learn into their everyday lives.
“There is a lot of talk about how important a personal relationship/encounter with Jesus is,” Kelly said, “but we find that most Christians don’t know what it is or how to get it. I think the promise of this book is to facilitate that encounter and kick-start that relationship with Jesus.”
Around the Town
There are events throughout the Archdiocese of San Antonio in which you can participate as you travel on your journey of spirituality. They will be listed here:
CATHOLICISM LIVE! – Catholicism Live! is a weekly series featuring various guests and topics on the faith, Church teaching. It is broadcast by Catholic Television of San Antonio and is also simulcast on Guadalupe Radio Network 89.7 FM KJMA and online at grnonline.com on Wednesdays 8:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Go to catholicismlive.com or call 210-521-3377 for further details and topic schedule.
