Servant Leadership Begins at Home
His general intention is “That all the men and women in the world,
especially those who have responsibilities in the field of politics
and economics, may never fail in their commitment to safeguard
creation.”
His mission intention is “That believers in the different religions, through the
testimony of their lives and fraternal dialogue, may clearly
demonstrate that the name of God is a bearer of peace.”
His general intention is “That Sunday may be lived as the day on which
Christians gather to celebrate the risen Lord, participating in the
Eucharist.”
His mission intention is “That the entire People of God, to whom Christ entrusted
the mandate to go and preach the Gospel to every creature, may
eagerly assume their own missionary responsibility and consider it
the highest service they can offer humanity.”
Pope Benedict XVI last week promoted the practice of spiritual direction. Spiritual direction, basically, is having a coach to help you progress on your spiritual journey. As much as living the Christian life seems simple and easy enough at first glance, when the rubber hits the road, the journey has plenty of pitfalls, tribulations, challenges and moments of losing focus.
A spiritual director, many times a priest but by no means limited to the priestly type, has a goal to remind you of your committment to growing closer to God and your call to respond to the grace given to you through your actions in the world. Direction usually takes place in an hour-long session that has elements of prayer, faith and life-event sharing, listening, laughing and, often enough, those moments of being completely stuck upside the head with a 2×4. The direction should challenge you, motivate you, but most importantly, help you remain faithful to the commitment that we undertake as believers.
Personally, spiritual direction is an exercise that I do not take on often enough–much like physical exercise– I know I need to do it more, but always seem to have “something better” to do. Sometimes that legitimate, but more often than not, it’s just an excuse. One of the first things that many hear in spiritual direction is that you won’t “fall into” a better relationship with God. You must be intentional about it. You have to make time for God. God is there for you always, ready to give you as much time as needed, but He can’t give you something you won’t accept. Funny how free will works, eh?
I encourage everyone to look into a spiritual director. Ask your local priest if your diocese has a list of qualified directors (the Diocese of Austin does) or if there’s a priest/deacon/lay minister that you would like to try out, ask them. Not every director is right for every person. If it doesn’t work for you, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with parting ways and finding a director that is a better fit for you… it took me a few times to get it right.
You don’t have to go it alone; get a coach.
His general intention is “That the word of God may be better known,
welcomed and lived as the source of freedom and joy.”
His mission intention is “That Christians in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, who
often meet with great difficulties, may not be discourage from
announcing the Gospel to their brothers, trusting in the strength of
the Holy Spirit.”
His general intention is “That public opinion may be more aware of the
problem of millions of displaced persons and refugees and that
concrete solutions may be found for their often tragic situation.”
His mission intention is “That those Christians who are discriminated against and
persecuted in many Countries because of the name of Christ may have
their human rights, equality and religious freedom recognized, in
order to be able to live and profess their own faith freely.”
