Ave Maria Meditations
We continue on with meditating on some meanings of our Lord’s statement, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life.” At this time we will look into what is meant by the spiritual life. Did you know that the practice of religion is a virtue? Yes, and it comes under the heading of justice. Religious practice is God’s idea and plan! This practice also follows the First Commandment to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. So, is following the rules of the Church and the Commandments and attending Sunday Mass enough for a spiritual life? No. These things are very important, for sure, but they are only our outward expression of a religious life.
But what is the interior expression of a spiritual life? First of all is the needed relationship with God and that involves prayer: daily prayer. And what exactly does prayer consist of? Is it just the saying of our learned prayers? That is certainly needed, for example with the Rosary, but it is also our individual conversation with God who always hears our prayers. One definition of prayer is the lifting of the heart and mind to God. Sometimes words are not even needed! There can be a silent adoration of God; in prayer we also allow ourselves to be loved by God.
In prayer we can come to know God’s will for us. Prayer stems from the love of God and we cannot love who we do not know and prayer helps us to know and love God. Daily prayer is so very important! It can start with 15 minutes a day and build from there but it needs to be a part of every spiritual life. And while God does hear our prayers, the prayer of a soul in a state of grace is the most pleasing to Him. To remain in a state of grace, we cannot have any serious sins in our lives and to overcome these we need the sacramental graces that come to us through the frequent reception of Confession and Holy Communion. Let’s resolve now to always be in a state of grace, to live a holy spiritual life, and aim for heaven! Ave Maria!
