Reflection - English

SPIRITUAL DIRECTION: LIGHT ON THE JOURNEY

Dennis Berry, S.T.

“In order that we may be more attentive to the lights and impulses of the Holy Spirit in our following of Christ, we are encouraged to seek personal spiritual direction.” (Constitution #18)

As Jesus’ disciples and apostles, the advantage of engaging regularly in conversation about our faith journey with a sister or brother experienced in this life is apparent. Our Constitution urges us to make it a priority. And yet, for many of us, it is difficult to find or make the time for spiritual direction on a regular basis. The urgency of present demands often overwhelms the vital long-term good of spiritual direction. Here are five reasons for making this ancient practice a priority in our missionary lives today.

First, only a fool has himself for a counselor. To quote the Scriptures, “Those who trust in their own wits are fools” (Proverbs 28:26). Made in the image and likeness of the Trinity, God-Community, we need each other’s wisdom on a regular basis. We need to share our own truth, as best as we can understand it, with another human being who will compassionately listen, affirm and challenge us. Self-contained isolation is deadly to the human spirit.

Second, regular spiritual direction helps us lead a more “aware” life. Taking the time on a monthly basis to reflect on our lives is a solid remedy to the often rushed nature of our apostolic commitments. It affords us the opportunity to pause, take stock of where we have experienced God’s light or God’s absence since our last visit and share this with another. It makes us conscious of the deeper levels of our being and experience.

Third, an honest recounting of my current situation discourages denial. From the time of the Desert Fathers, key to spiritual guidance has been sharing those areas of my life that I least want to talk about. An honest accounting of my struggles, fears, uncertainties and temptations form the grist of spiritual direction. Such an exercise helps unmask the rationalizations and quiet deceits that often can entrap us.

Fourth, spiritual direction helps me to discover God’s Will for me now. In our missionary lives, circumstances and events regularly intervene that impel us to constantly be discerning where it is that God is leading in this moment. The dialogue of spiritual direction offers us a forum for bringing all this to the light, listening more attentively to the voice of the Holy Spirit, and making decisions with greater assurance and clarity.

Fifth, spiritual direction is essential in times of crisis. Whether terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or the violence of crime and war, we need to speak openly to another about our experience. This is not only psychologically true but also indispensable for spiritual health and clarity. Struggling to discover and understand God’s presence and will in the midst of such overwhelming pain, sorrow and loss is a daunting task. It cannot and should not be done alone. More than ever, in these times of crisis, we need the grace-filled experience of spiritual direction in following “the naked, abandoned Jesus of Calvary.”

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

What is my own experience of spiritual direction? What have been some of the blessings and graces of spiritual direction in my life? What have been or are some of the challenges in maintaining a regular practice of spiritual direction?