We are all in rehabilitation from the effects of sin.
Recently my father underwent some significant rehabilitation. During the period of rehabilitation, the most important thing to remember is that as soon as things became easier, then it is time to step things up – so to speak – and deliberately make things a little bit harder for himself.
There was one day in there where he had to progress from one machine to another and that progression was particularly difficult for my father. The difficulty was not only because the work of the new machine was physically harder than the previous machine had been, but it was also because there was a significant mental barrier to break when he was moving from one machine to the next because he had to basically start at the beginning again. So, instead of being very proficient in using the machine (as he had been on the old machine) my father had to become inept at using a machine so that he could do the work of building his strength so that he could use the new machine instead.
And I have been thinking about that today as I have been thinking about my spiritual life.
When I first experienced my conversion, it was a big jump for me to celebrate Holy Mass more often. I remember the experience was almost overwhelming. And there were so many barriers to that happening. It was even at the pint of being chastised by the priest for attending the early daily Mass late (a few minutes after Mass began) rather than attending on time. At the time, my three children would accompany me as they were too young to leave on their own in the morning while I attended Holy Mass. And I remember feeling as though everything was getting in my way and working against me attending Mass.
But I persevered knowing that I was only going to be able to do my best – which was not very much anyway. And those tasks that seemed so difficult for me when I first began became less and less difficult and more and more manageable as time wore on.
And then I was able to add some things into my Spiritual life that moved me forward step by step. Sometimes it was at the initiation of a priest. Sometimes a friend or family member would mention something that would be useful. And sometimes, I would simply know – in my heart – that I needed to do something differently.
And I have been thinking about that today. For the only thing required for me to succeed in my spiritual life is to continue to try. For we are all in rehabilitation from the effects of sin. And that means that it will only take a bit of effort on my part and my God will do the rest. For all things are possible to my God – even the salvation of a soul like mine… Even that…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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