Father Randy Writes . . .
Spiritual immaturity places the self at the center of living. I am in control, I can do what I want, when I want and produce an attitude of I am invincible. The spiritually immature is one who is fixated on the four P’s of power, possessions, pleasure and prestige and the sensual appetites are never satisfied.
Yet, God says to Moses “Take off your shoes”
As Moses approaches the burning bush or the presence of God, he is instructed to take off his sandals. Picture the event. The scene is a mountain, rugged and rocky. When one walks on rocky ground without sandals one is vulnerable, it hurts to walk over rocks, and one is less in control.
Spiritual maturity is to give up control, to be vulnerable and to move toward the presence of God gently and without control. Spiritual maturity entails a growing appreciation for Jesus’s truth statements of “Father, if you are willing, remove this chalice from me; nevertheless not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42) “Father, forgive them; for they know what they do.” (Luke 23:34) “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Mark 15:34)
The spiritual lesson in this is that it is no secret that we grow the most when it hurts the most. We don’t desire pain or hurt but we do desire the presence of God to consume us. We know from our lives that when we are the most vulnerable we are often most aware of the presence of God and it is then that we come to trust the promise of “Fear not, I will be with you.”
Annual Catholic Appeal
Thank you in advance for your participation in the Annual Catholic Appeal for the Diocese this weekend. As a parish we have 30% of our goal already pledged through the direct mail invitation that you received. It is inspiring to see the growing commitment to the ACA and perhaps this might be the year we exceed our goal for the first time ever!
Peace, Father Randy