| A spiritual journey can be an awesome experience, when, in the midst of your weakness, you discover amazing strength, and courage that could only have been granted to you by God. No doubt, we will each fail along the way - many times, but do not despair. Failure is a part of our spiritual journey. It is a sign that alerts us to the fact that we are focusing too much on our weaknesses, and not enough on God's Strength. No one ever said it would be easy. We must never give up trying. A spiritual journey can be a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, or a meditative prayer in the silence of a chapel. Sadly, many of us will never walk the streets upon which Jesus trod on the way to Calvary. But we can be there in spirit, through prayer and meditation, and fasting. Lent is soon upon us, and the opportunity for spiritual renewal. The past year may have be fraught with many trials and tribulations, causing our faith in God to waver. But we can always depend on God's saving grace. Through Jesus, we can find joy amidst the tears, strengths within our weaknesses, and love despite persecutions. There are no hard and fast rules - no map - no signpost to guide us through this labrynth. It is a journey that we must take alone, and no others share the same experiences. But wherever you go, and whatever you do.....just take God with you. God Bless You All. |
| Your spiritual journey becomes more fulfilling the more closely you align yourself to God. Fasting is a means to build a relationship with God. |
| A pilgrimage distinguishes itself from an ordinary journey by the fact that it does not follow a laid-out plan, or itinerary, that it does not pursue a fixed aim, or a limited purpose, but that it carries its meaning in itself, by relying on our inner urge which operates on two planes, physical and spiritual. It is a movement, not only in the outer, but equally in the inner space, a movement whose spontaneity is that of the nature of all life, i.e. a movement that always starts from an invisible inner core. * Anagarika Govinda The Way of the White Cloud |
| * excerpt from Fasting Rediscovered, by Thomas Ryan ( Paulist Press) |
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| finding our way home: The Spiritual Journey |
| It is easier to plan a vacation than it is to embark upon a spiritual journey. Every year people begin gearing up for their vacation by immersing themselves in every detail of its preparation - all to ensure a most blissful sojourn in the paradise of their choice. Unfortunately, we cannot plan our spiritual journey in the same way. We cannot choose our destination, nor even on how to get there. Neither can we expect any guarantee of comfort and safety during our voyage. We cannot make a reservation for Heaven. Ultimately, it is God who chooses our final destination. He prepares our life-itinerary. In other words, He is our Tour Guide. We must follow him, through stormy seas - and calm harbors; through barren hot deserts, and lush green valleys; through darkness and light, coldness and warmth, through despair and hope; sadness and joy. If we do not follow Him, we will be lost forever. We need to place our trust in Him no matter what road we are travelling. This is it! This is the very essense of a spiritual journey. That is, one's growing awareness of a connectedness to God, which time, and life circumstances cannot diminish nor destroy. |
| Your spiritual journey has potential for growth only if you invite God to join you. |
| We do not know what lies in store for us around every bend of the road but we travel on it anyway, trusting in the Lord. Whatever detours, obstacles and dangers await us, we can be sure that the Lord will provide us with the means to face them. |