By Maria Sermersheim
Meditatione Ignis
I think I am on the cusp of a season — and I’m not talking about fall. There are spiritual seasons in life, seasons when we hear God more or less easily, see his work in our lives more or less obviously and respond to his call more or less vigorously. Clearly, a new season is on its way for me; the winds of change have nearly blown me over! There have been multiple homilies in a row very focused on prayer, precisely when I have been keenly aware of my laxity in it; the old principle that my friend and I learned in France of the generosity of God, “Think and you shall receive,” has been on clear display in some very big ways; and the stirrings of my heart whisper reminders and requests that I had forgotten for a couple of months. The new season beckons … but am I prepared for it?
Father Thomas Dubay is a great spiritual writer, and his book “Fire Within” synthesizes wisdom from Sts. Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross and from Scripture. His chapter about “Conditions for Growth” emphasizes that according to Teresa, one can only grow through conforming his or her will to God’s will, through living the Gospel generously, and through absolute willingness to receive all that the Lord may send or allow — the good, the bad and the ugly. All of these dispositions are gained by the mutually reinforcing acts of prayer and living virtuously; and retrogression in the spiritual life is possible if either is neglected. Therefore, I must keep these conditions in mind especially now, as this new spiritual season blows in. The transition brings a sense of apprehension: Do I have these conditions for growth, or will the goodness of the season pass me by because I am not prepared for it? Will I be well-dressed for the weather the Lord sends, or am I resistant to the change?
Every year at Notre Dame, new students learn that winter can be beautiful and delightful, as long as you invest in a good coat, boots and gloves. If you are not prepared, the season can be miserable! Cold, wet feet and numb hands can make it very difficult to see the winter wonderland of campus in its snow-globe splendor. I imagine it must be the same for spiritual seasons — whatever this new one is, if I don’t change my wardrobe through prayer and the other conditions for growth, then I will be uncomfortable with the season and unable to appreciate it and to receive the joy that is possible in it.
Though I observe the fluctuating temperatures outside with amusement, and I laugh about waking to frost but walking in the afternoon sunshine in shorts, I hope my spiritual life will not suffer such vicissitudes unpreparedly. The heart seeks more stability. May we each attune our senses to the communications of the Lord, and may we be well-dressed for the seasons to come.