Last week proved to be a transformational week in my life. Approaching the home stretch on my MA in Theology at Saint Meinrad I spent the week in my last class – Biblical Foundations in Spirituality. This intense five day class lifted my spirit in ways I did not expect.
The class was locked and loaded with “spiritual gurus”, all were seeking a deeper and more profound love relationship with our Triune God. A Catholic Deacon, two Catholic Priests, a former cloistered Carmelite Nun (she is now in the Ursuline order since her community closed), a retired female Methodist Minister, two deeply spiritual lay men, and then there was me. I felt a little out of my league! Yet, it felt pretty awesome being surrounded by such a group of loving individuals.
Each of us sat with focused attention as our instructor shared beautiful spiritual pearls. Our instructor, a Catholic Priest and Monk, was exceptionally gifted. I personally couldn’t get enough of his wisdom. I experienced the Holy Spirit’s healing and transformational presence in a very real and palpable sense last week. It was an amazing experience to say the least.
A New Creation
So what made the week so special? Well, a shift happened in my interior that caught me off guard. I mean, I know God loves me; however, he revealed his love in a much deeper way last week. Looking back over the years I can see that the Lord had been preparing me for this internal shift. God knew I was ready to step forward. Miracles manifested in my family life and a new sense of peace entered into my heart as the week progressed. However, and most importantly, I saw more clearly how the pieces of humanity’s brokenness can come together. In order to become fully whole and healed we must become a new creation in Christ.
We have all heard Saint Paul’s words – “whoever is in Christ is a new creation”: 2 Corinthians 5:17. However, what does this really mean? And most importantly, how can we become this new creation? Understanding the answers to these two questions lies at the heart of my experience at Saint Meinrad last week. We become a new creation when we become one with God. This requires a new and transformative relationship with God. This all comes down to one thing – our participation in God’s transformative love.
Journeying down this path will lead us into deeper love relationships with our friends, family, and spouses. Our hearts will burn with desire for God’s commands as he kindles our hearts with his refining fire. Our life decisions will become easier to make because we will experience God’s presence in a new way as we become a new creation in Christ.
Creating Space
In order to participate more fully in God’s transformative love we must create the space for this to happen. In this space we will discover something wonderful at its center – sacred time with God. This is where I now find myself, trying to create space in my life to spend more time with God so that my relationship with him deepens as he desires. I know God has called me to be a healer – a healer who helps others deepen their friendship with God. And now my heart yearns to further develop the gifts he has given me.
As a result of this yearning, I need to make some changes in my life. You know, more Mary and less Martha. My heart is crying out for more contemplative time with God. It seems that God placed a burning ember in the center of my heart last week that deeply yearns to be stoked. As I sit back and survey my life I have come to understand that I need to make some tough choices and let a few things go. One of the activities I must release is the time I spend writing reflections for A Catholic Moment – at least for a while. So this is kind of good bye, or at least it’s an “Until next time.”
I want to thank all of our readers for your prayers, kind works, and loving thoughts. They have meant more to me than you know. I do plan on offering an occasional reflection from time to time – I love this community very much. Know that I will continue to hold all of you in my prayers. We are all one body in Christ and what a beautiful body it is.
Global Light for Christ (GLFC)
Our little community has grown in love, compassion, and support for one another and I am deeply grateful to be a part of it. It is my desire to continue the spiritual healing God has put into motion through our little group. With this in mind I have created a Blog page on my website named Global Light For Christ. I have yet to create my first reflection in this Blog; however, I am ready to pray for you and support our little community as we transition. Here is the link if you would like to visit: Global Light For Christ.
God bless all of you – Carolyn
God the Father – hold us in your Fatherly love.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – heal us with your divine love.
God the Holy Spirit – immerse us in divine love.
