Keeping Our Spiritual Lives in Order

Many times people ask the question “How do I live a deeper spiritual life?” I usually respond by suggesting that they pray daily, reflect on the teachings of their faith and the Bible, receive the Sacraments on a regular basis and engage in practical charity for others.

Your state of life and vocation, your particular responsibilities, and your capacity or ability will determine how you express spirituality. Some important spiritual practices would be:

1. Pray daily. Spend some time in mental prayer and reflection each day. Offer your daily life to God in the morning and examine your conscience each evening.             Pray in the manner that is helpful to you in your communion with God. It has been said, “Pray the way you can; not the way you can’t”.
2. Seek the will of God in your life. Have the right intentions in what you choose to do.
3. Trust in the providence of God. Remember that we stand before many things we do not understand. Seek peace of mind and heart.
4. Practice moderation and self-discipline. This would include fasting from food, drink, even technology, and include moderation in work, exercise, and play. Be patient with yourself and with others. We are all still growing as God’s children.
5. Learn more through spiritual reading. Utilize the Bible, official Church teaching and approved sources for information to build upon.
6. Celebrate and receive the Sacraments. The Eucharist and Reconciliation are very important in helping us be close to God and our neighbor.
7. See yourself as an instrument of peace, and be forgiving, tolerant and just.
8. Care for the needs of others. See your life as an expression of the love of Christ. Even simple activities such as listening to the concerns of others, or sharing a meal can be an opportunity for practical love. 

Spirituality does not require drama, but asks for a positive and loving attitude towards others. True spirituality expresses itself in love of God and practical love of our neighbor.
 
-Fr. Bruce Bradley