The Spiritual Journey

   “The Spiritual Journey does not require going anywhere because God is already with us and in us.” (Fr. Thomas Keating)

   The spiritual journey doesn’t mean we have to travel to religious places.  We don’t have to walk the streets of Jerusalem or pray at St. Peter’s Cathedral.  Great pilgrimages are wonderful, but not required.  Those things are good and can certainly bring great joy, but they are not necessary to find God.  If they were, how would those unable to do these things ever find Him?

   The spiritual journey is also not a pursuit to fully understand God or to know all there is to know about Him.  It is good to learn of Him and strive to understand His will for us, but to truly know Him isn’t possible in this world.  St. Augustine said that if we understand, it isn’t God; we simply cannot define or truly understand Him in this life.

   God is in the silence of our hearts; we find Him when we shut out the many distractions of our world and simply sit quietly and consider Him.  Long-winded prayers aren’t needed, an open heart is.  Expectations are to be forgotten, but a willingness to follow is required.  We can’t all accomplish great deeds in His name, but we can do all things with love.  When we open our hearts, minds and souls to Him we will be filled with Him.

   The spiritual journey isn’t really a journey at all, it is a life-long relationship.  It’s a giving of self to Him.

Father we look for You in all the wrong places.

You are always within us.

Help us turn within and commune with You.

Guide us in Your love and mercy.

Amen