Journaling

"Furthermore, my child, you must realize that writing books involves endless hard work, and that much study wearies the body." (Ecclesiastes 12: 12)NJB

The desire to write is one of my earliest ambitions. I started the habit of keeping journals towards in the end of my high school and discontinued this habit when I left college. . During my desert experience, I went back to serious journal keeping. There was no particular method to my journal writing. I tried to jot down something every day.

What are the contents of my journal? Reflections on scripture passages, insights from my desert experience. Events that I consider significant during the course of the day have always been an important component of my journal experience. When I have nothing to write, I write down the mundane activities of the day. Some years ago, I installed the LifeJournal software that has now become my main journaling tool. I still keep the book diary as a backup. The advantage of electronic journaling is immense. One can retrieve information quickly. The LifeJournal has many tools and resources which I have not gathered enough courage to explore. I plan to do it one day. One habit I would like to form is to review my journal entries on a systematic basis. Whenever I did this, I have derived some pleasure and sometimes insights from it.

Spiritual Guide

"How could I, unless I have someone to guide me? (Acts 8:31)

Do we need a human guide in our journey of faith? If the Holy Spirit leads and guides us, why should we need a spiritual director? 

While the Holy Spirit can lead and guide us directly, it would appear from ancient tradition of the Church that there is a place for the spiritual guide. It is the Holy Spirit who would lead you ultimately to a good spiritual guide.

A good spiritual guide in our journey of faith is better than no guide at all.  A good spiritual guide would act like a human guardian angel.  The guide points out the way to make progress in the spiritual life.  He encourages and when necessary reprimands.  In the secular world, they call the guide an accountability partner.  But a good spiritual guide is much more than an accountability partner.  While an accountability partner could help overcome the problems like alcohol or pornography, the spiritual guide helps in everything that touches the Way, the Truth and the Life.  In other words, he guides you to Jesus.

Your spiritual guide is your mentor and your friend.

10 Impactful Books

"Dear Theophilus:

In my first book, I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work until the day he was taken up to heaven. (Acts 1:1-2)

God in His wisdom decided to put His words in a book. Throughout the centuries, God's book, the Bible has given birth to other scriptures or biblettes. Holy men and women who had fed and digested God's word had shared their personal reflections on this word with their fellow men. Some of these works have become classics. Below are 10 books in my reading list.

1. The Bible

2. Mary of Nazareth by F. Suarez

3. Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis

4. Francis De Sales : Introduction to the Devout Life

5. . The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius

6. St Therese of Lisieux: The Story of a Soul

7. St Josemaria Escriva: The Way

8. St Louis de Monfort: The Secret of the Rosary

9. Self-Abandonment to Divine Providence by Father J.P. de Caussade, S.J.

10. Mary, Mother of the Church by Fr. Francis Ripley

 

Contentment

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

We all labor and are heavily burdened with problems of money, health, family, job, cars, etc. Jesus knows us individually and is aware of our situation. He invites us to come to Him to find solution to our many problems. We come to Jesus in the Eucharist. We meet Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. When the Church gathers in prayer in His name, He is there. When we accept the word of God with faith, it changes our lives and our circumstances.

Prayer for genuine contentment

"My God, in your creation of this world you made all things to be very good. I thank you, Lord, for all the goods of this world, and especially all those who have provided for me and my loved ones.

But remind me, Lord, that only you are the true Good, and that all earthly goods are but shadows of you. And should I become very attached to any fleeting good, and let it obstruct my love for you, grant me the holy desire to have it taken from me. Through Christ Our Lord, the King of glory who has no pillow to lay his head. Amen."

Listen to Jesus Christ, the faithful Witness.

"Set your mind on God's kingdom
and His justice before everything else,
and all the rest will come to you as well.
So do not be anxious about tomorrow; tomorrow
will look after itself. Each day has troubles
enough of its own."

(Matthew 6: 33-34)