Yesterday, I had the pleasure of praying with someone after mass. As we finished our prayer, I asked how she was doing, and she told me she received a great deal of peace during prayer. Peace is a sign that the Holy Spirit is at work in the world.
This brought to mind a common theme in my Monday night Bible study – be Christ to others / see Christ in everyone. This is a good way of explaining why God made us. We are called to be in union with God, which includes being in union with all of God’s people. We are also called to be his peace, joy, and love in the world, and in this way we help others find their own invitation to this mysterious union with God.
How do we accomplish this? Unfortunately, being God’s peace, joy, and love in the world is not easy. We must do as Jesus says in the Gospels. We must carry our crosses. We do this by accepting the suffering that comes our way and choosing to fast or abstain from things of this world. When we do so, we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit, and give him permission to conform us to God who is the source of all authentic peace, love, and joy.
One part of this cross carrying is persevering in prayer, even when it feels dry or empty. It means choosing prayer over activities that often cause us to “not have time for prayer.” There are many forms of prayer. However, some prayers are more effective at drawing us into God than others. For instance, praying Scripture is one of the best forms of prayer because it helps us to better understand the one to whom we are called to join. It is also an avenue through which the Spirit of Truth teaches us such Truth. My spiritual director recently directed me towards prayers of gratitude because such prayers build humility and proper understanding of right relationship with God.
I would also recommend taking a few minutes here and there throughout your day to pray by turning inwards and directing your attention to the God who dwells within you. This often causes sensations of peace, joy, and love, and allows us to be that peace, joy, and love in the world today.
Spend some time today focused on him who dwells within you, and cultivate a sense of joy in knowing that God, who is all perfection and goodness, has taken up his residence within you. Spend some time in awe as you ponder this. Talk to him, and ask him how you can be his peace, joy, and love in the world today.
In Him,
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