Spirit Daily had an article the other day about being your real self, the Who God meant you to be with no masks, facades, or worldliness getting in the way-wherever or whomever that was. It got me thinking about when and/or where I most felt I was being the "who" that God meant for me to be. Three places and situations seemed to fill my soul and answer this question for me: 1. My pilgrimage in Medjugorje 2. Singing my heart out at mass 3. Enjoying nature and fun board games with my children and family Anyone else care to reflect and share?
This is a hard question. Decerning God's will for myself is challenging to say the least. Does one's state of happiness or contentment mean this is who God intended us to be? Seems logical especially if in a prayerful state of grace. Likely the toughest, lest joyful moments are God's call for us even if it leads us to error and we learn from it. As Mark Mallett advises to give thanks to God in all things and all situations since God's ways are not always our ways. When Jesus said if we follow the commandments His joy would be in us and our joy will be complete. Finding this joy is a spiritual jouney and I tend to see Saints as having this joy. Attaining such faith and trust in God that few things can unsettle one's own peace is certainly what I strive for but fail in doing almost daily....... When I am well rested, praying constantly, detached from "stuff" and looking to give to others with no expectation of people owing me anything in return is when I feel closest to God and my true self. Often when I feel fully united with my wife as God intended (and this is happening more and more) and we can be doing anything or nothing I feel His peace also. Also too when my family is united after a great long talk on life.
I agree MMM it is hard to discern God's will for oneself. I have found sometimes though that other people can reveal when one is most joyful. And we can see joy in another person much easier than in oneself. Joy to me, is a sign of living in God's will, as is peace.
If what you are doing flows easily, brings peace to your soul, and fruits come from it, then you're on the right path
Without any facades, I most feel like I am doing the will of God when... 1. Spending the day at a shrine or basillica 2. Reading theology 3. Discussing matters of faith with other people.
The Will of God is one doing your everyday actions. God doesn't want you to do or go anywhere else. Its doing everyday things to the fullest of your capacity for the glory of God. Even taking out the trash can be a blessed event. Brother al
I think I am most myself at mass. Everything I have that is positive spiritually during the day flows from that and to that. It is the very heart of my life. Last night I went to mass for the first time in several days. I have been very busy at work covering a number of people off in the sick. This was most unuusal for me to mass for such a time. I would say it is the first time in about 36 years I missed regular daily mass for such a period. All I seem to be doing the last while is sleep and work. So you can imagine how hungry I was for the Word of God and the Eucharist. When I got to Church they were short of Eucharisitc Ministers and I was called up front and centre. I jsut felt so at peace , though no special surge of emotions. Well, right out of the blue I started crying. The tears just flowing down my cheeks out of nowhere. The lady next to me noticed and turned round to stare. But I did n't care. I have no idea were those tears come, tears of joy,? But I think at that moment , yes I was were and what I was always meant to be.
I am most at 'home' and happiest in the Church during Mass. For me an hour is but a short time there. Yet most of my family complain if the Mass is as long as an hour! It is the strangest thing. I think I just get lost in Mass and I am not aware of time. I suppose it is a bit like when you first fall in love with your spouse that you want to be with them all the time and so the time just flies by. You cannot measure love.
I think it depends on ones own personal calling,,In other words God knows us best.. "When we do great things in the name of God, we can be sure that while His ways will always be the best, they definitely won’t be the easiest."
The following prayer, Resta con mi Signore, Stay with me Lord, composed by Padre Pio, addresses the fact that sometimes when living our life it is a struggle!, in this world. St Augustine says 'In this life our hearts shall always be restless Lord until they rest in you!'. I have highlighted the poignant part where Padre Pio addresses the struggle that Quis ut Deus indicates in his reply. I also feel this struggle as well at times. Resta Con Mi Signore. Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervour. Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear your voice and follow You. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much, and always be in your company. Stay with me, Lord, if you wish me to be faithful to You. Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I wish it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes; death, judgment, eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need You.It is getting late and death approaches. I fear the darkness, the dryness, the temptations, the cross, the sorrows, the sufferings. Oh, how I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile! Stay with me tonight, Jesus, in life with all its dangers, I need You. Let me recognize You as your disciples did at the breaking of the bread, so that the Eucharistic Communion be the light which disperses the darkness, the force which sustains me, the unique joy of my heart. Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by grace and love. Stay with me, Jesus, I do not ask for divine consolation, because I do not merit it, but the gift of your presence, oh, yes, I ask this of You! Stay with me, Lord, for it is You alone I look for. Your Love, your Grace, your Will, your Heart, your Spirit, your Mercy, because I love You and ask no other reward but to love You more and more. With a firm love, I will love You with all my heart while on earth and continue to love You perfectly during all eternity. So be it.
