Lord, I humbly ask for a growth in holiness to protect me from spiritual disorientation. Jesus, you know my heart and all the ways I suffer from ignorance and an inclination to choose my own wants over holy habits. I find myself sinning against you in my thoughts, words, and actions. I do this every day in small matters, but they add up over time to create bad habits that lead me toward spiritual confusion.
My nature is weak and I when I do not pray as you ask me to I suffer from spiritual disorientation. It’s my own fault because I grow complacent in my spiritual habits. I might be fervent one day and then the next day I will be easily distracted, or lazy. If I let it linger long enough I become confused about your will for me. I’ll stop hearing your voice in the stillness of my heart. Sometimes I look for truth in others, finding none. I seem to trust too much in my instincts only to find my decisions often lead me down the wrong path. Please help me have a growth in holiness by giving me the grace to keep good habits.
Let me learn to follow you Jesus, imitating your perfect virtue in life and your loving mercy toward sinners. I want to know you so intimately that my life is a mirror. Let me see you when I gaze on my own reflection. Let me follow your precepts all the remaining days of my life. Help me grow a deep love for you so that I can serve you in all my life’s activities as if it’s my second nature.
AMEN.
Although it is proper to each individual, original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it; subject to ignorance, suffering, and the dominion of death; and inclined to sin—an inclination to evil that is called “concupiscence.”
Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ’s grace, erases original sin and turns a man back toward God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle.
Growth in Holiness will end Spiritual Disorientation
On the Virtue of Holiness
by St. Hildegard von Bingen
The Words of Disorientation
This image had its forefeet on the cloud I mentioned earlier as it said: “When God doesn’t know me and I don’t know him, why can’t I do my own will since God does not want me or I him? Whatever I want and find useful to me in any way, I will look for everywhere because I will do whatever I know, understand, and taste.
Many also say to me: ‘Do this and this.’ They show me God, life, and the wages I could receive so that I can know what to do. But many tyrants also run to me and propose wonderful agreements to me that happen to be more false than true, although they do not force these agreements upon me. Whatever I decide to do, however, they allow me to do as if it had been imposed upon me by a precept. I, however, do not want a lot of gods, that is, masters. If God does exist, he certainly does not know me.
The Response of Holiness
I heard a voice from the storm cloud answering this image: “O most rapid destruction, what are you saying? Who created you and who made you alive? God. Why don’t you know that you didn’t do this?
I, however, call upon God and ask him for whatever I need; I know all his precepts and follow them by seeing and understanding him. How? I am like a bird with the knowledge of good, by which I also know God and play the lyre of prayer when I adore him and by which I also understand him.
If, however, I were to follow the things you do, I would turn away from God. The earth does not give the food, clothing and other things that are necessary for men, but God does. Men see things spring up, but they do not know from what and by what means they spring up, but they do know that they themselves come from God. For nothing could make man and all the ages of time or even the least thing in the world, except God.
And through all this, we can know who God is. Therefore, let men serve God most devotedly in all his works.
Liber Vitae Meritorum, The Fourth Part, Paragraph 8,9
Week 25 of the Virtue Meditations Series
Growth in Holiness will end Spiritual Disorientation
Reflection:
This week we contemplate the virtue of holiness. St. Hildegard of Bingen shows us that knowing God is possible when we practice authentic holiness. God reveals himself to the meek and humble of heart who are living a life of prayer. We know this by reading the lives of the saints. This is how we come to see God. We enter into relationship by taking an active role in the sacramental life of the Church and turning away from ourselves and putting our gaze on Christ. This sanctifies us and leads us to grow in holiness. As we grow in relationship with God and our understanding of scripture and tradition advances, we also grow in holiness.
Ask yourself, do I live my life in such a way that all my actions are somehow directed toward God? Is the Lord always on my mind, my lips, and in my heart? We are all called to holiness. Some are called to greater holiness than others, this is true. But God desires all of us to live authentic lives of holiness and be like the saints.
Holiness grows when we have a humble and obedient disposition and when we regularly practice good habits that please God. Do you have non-negotiables? Are there certain spiritual practices that you do every single day no matter what? Some examples would be to pray the Divine Office, or the Mass readings for the day. Some might go to daily Mass. Some might pray a daily rosary, or a Divine Mercy chaplet. Do you spend at least 20 minutes a day in meditative prayer? These are all examples of daily devotions that you can incorporate into habits that will give you tremendous growth in holiness over time.
Growing in Relationship with God
Think for a moment about your prayer life and your walk with Christ. If you can look back over the years can you recognize sinful behaviors and bad attitudes or beliefs that you once held but now know are false? Maybe you lived a certain way that now you know you could never return to. These are signs that you have had a growth in holiness.
As we study and pray we begin to see things that we were once blind to. We understand truth better and as we come to know the Lord we also grow to love him and desire to imitate him. We are renewed in our minds and it changes our hearts.
We read in 1 Peter 1:13-16 about the importance of overcoming the vice of ignorance, which causes spiritual disorientation: “Therefore, gird up the loins of your mind, live soberly, and set your hopes completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct, for it is written, “Be holy because I [am] holy.”
Going Further:
The Flight to Egypt highlights the holiness of Joseph and his trust in the Lord above all else. We clearly see through this story how obedience to God is vital, and how one act of disobedience can have dire consequences. If you want to do ‘extra’ you may spend some time reading Matthew 2:13–23 and journaling about what speaks to your heart. Give the Lord time to respond to you as you listen in silence.
Let us Pray:
Now that we understand the virtue of holiness, let’s begin with a prayer of petition for it.
Growth in Holiness will end Spiritual Disorientation
Prayer of Petition
Eternal Father, I am the work of your creation, made in your image and likeness but too weak to conquer the devil by my own power. I ask you for the grace to grow in virtue, surrendering all my thoughts, words, and deeds to you. Please help me resist the devil and all his tricks. Jesus says that whoever believes in him will do the works that he does and that whatever we ask in Jesus’ name he will do so that You may be glorified. Heavenly Father, you sent us your Son to show us what it means to have perfect virtue in life. Jesus is fully human and fully divine and has perfect virtue. Father, have mercy on me and please give me the grace I need to grow in the virtue of holiness so that I might have a growth in holiness in my life, overcoming any spiritual disorientation that I am afflicted with. I want to imitate Christ in my thoughts, words, and deeds. AMEN.
Now let’s contemplate the Lord by listening to him speak to us in the book of Hebrews. Slowly meditate on the following passage, reflecting on the virtue of holiness. Take your time. Pause over a word or phrase that speaks to your heart. Reread the passage again, and then ask Jesus to show you how you can have growth in holiness and better overcome spiritual disorientation. Choose a word or phrase from this passage to write in your journal, and add your thoughts. Go back and prayerfully re-read it throughout the week.
Growth in Holiness will end Spiritual Disorientation
Advice for a Life of Holiness
From the Book of Hebrews Chapter 12
Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled, that no one be an immoral or profane person like Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
For you know that later, when he wanted to inherit his father’s blessing, he was rejected because he found no opportunity to change his mind, even though he sought the blessing with tears.
You have not approached that which could be touched and a blazing fire and gloomy darkness and storm and a trumpet blast and a voice speaking words such that those who heard begged that no message be further addressed to them, for they could not bear to hear the command: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”
Indeed, so fearful was the spectacle that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” No, you have approached Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and countless angels in festal gathering, and the assembly of the firstborn enrolled in heaven, and God the judge of all, and the spirits of the just made perfect, and Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and the sprinkled blood that speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.
See that you do not reject the one who speaks. For if they did not escape when they refused the one who warned them on earth, how much more in our case if we turn away from the one who warns from heaven.
Let us Pray:
Jesus, in your mercy do not let me reject your words to me when you speak. Let me hear your words in Scripture and let me know your ways and practice them all the days of my life. Give me the grace to be like St. Joseph in my obedience. Do not let me squander my inheritance like Esau. Lord have mercy on my soul.
Let me know your precepts and when I am ignorant and confused due to spiritual disorientation, enlighten my mind and heart toward the desire to pray and my heart to desire obedience.
Speak to my conscience and tell me my sins. Warn me by your Holy Spirit so that I might have truth growth in holiness and amend my life.
AMEN.
Growth in Holiness will end Spiritual Disorientation
A Prayer for an Increase in Virtue for Others
Lord Jesus Christ, you say that when two or more are gathered in your name, you are with us. Jesus, in your name I lift up every person who has joined this prayer challenge or will join it in the future. I ask you to give us all the grace we need to grow in virtue and holiness so that we may love and serve you in our lives and through the people we love and care for. Help us in our thoughts, our words, and our actions. Guide us all by your Holy Spirit and give us the strength to overcome every temptation from the evil one. We ask all this in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, AMEN.
Together as a group we will pray for each other and strive to make good resolutions and keep them. Remember, it’s your heart that God wants to capture. Your efforts are out of love for him and a desire to imitate him as best you can in holiness.
If you fail, do not quit trying. Be merciful to yourself and learn to love the process of striving to be more like Jesus every day. Just take it one day at a time, and stay in the present moment. Keep your gaze on Jesus. When you confess your sins he forgives you, so be merciful to yourself and forgive yourself. Being virtuous is a process. No one is perfect, so just start anew every time you fail.
How do I Practice Virtue?
You’ve learned about the 25th Virtue, and you’ve prayed for God to give you grace. Now what? Let’s take a look at the Catechism for some guidance on how we can make Week 25 a successful effort.
“Hence the laity, dedicated as they are to Christ and anointed by the Holy Spirit, are marvellously called and prepared so that even richer fruits of the Spirit may be produced in them. For all their works, prayers, and apostolic undertakings, family and married life, daily work, relaxation of mind and body, if they are accomplished in the Spirit—indeed even the hardships of life if patiently born—all these become spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. In the celebration of the Eucharist these may most fittingly be offered to the Father along with the body of the Lord.
And so, worshipping everywhere by their holy actions, the laity consecrate the world itself to God, everywhere offering worship by the holiness of their lives.”
Making Resolutions
Take a moment to reflect on the virtue of holiness. What are the ways you can freely practice this virtue this week? Ask the Lord to give you opportunities, and when you feel the Holy Spirit prompting you, take action. Write down your resolutions for this coming week in your prayer journal. Remind yourself to complete these resolutions daily for this entire week, and as the Spirit prompts you, feel free to write about your experiences with this virtue throughout the week.
In My Thoughts:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my thoughts by… (make your intention).
In My Words:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my words by… (make your intention).
In My Actions:
Jesus, this week I promise to take time daily to conform my actions by… (make your intention).
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Week 26 Mental Prayer Meditation
Let Me be Steadfast and Stable in all My Ways
“Let Me be Steadfast and Stable in all My Ways” – join us for our 26th meditation on the 35 virtues of St. Hildegard of Bingen.