A FOUNDATION OF FAITH
I recently attended a theology on tap event whose topic was Ignatian spirituality for troubled times. With humor and insight, the speaker guided us through the narrative arc of the hero’s journey, a la Lord of the Rings or Star Wars, explaining how external conflict pushes the protagonist to draw upon their inner courage, overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles to ultimately return home, forever transformed.
The speaker went on to point out how international turmoil, political polarization, and economic uncertainties are all pressure cookers, catalysts beyond our control that compel us to examine the tenacity of our spiritual life–or renew it entirely.
As I listened, a thought nagged at me: but we don’t have to wait for the hard times.
In today's Gospel, Jesus describes a foolish man who builds his house upon sand and a wise man who builds his house upon rock. When the rain and floods come, only the latter withstands the storm.
I’d like to think of myself as the wise man. I know what a sturdy foundation looks like–but perhaps more in theory than in practice. In reality, when all is “normal” or nothing “interesting” is happening to me, how much time am I spending cultivating a rich spiritual life? During times of fair weather, am I proactive in daily prayer or do I compartmentalize my faith within Sunday Mass? Is my relationship with God built on sand? And will I wait for the harsh weather to find out?
We don’t need to be in the pressure cooker to rest in the inner peace that friendship with God brings. This season of preparation reminds us that we are able to choose God every day. In prayer. In service. In kindness. In gratitude. And when the unpredictable storms of life do arise, may we find refuge in a faith built on sturdy ground.
Imagine a “normal” day for you. How much of it do you spend in Jesus’ company? What small practices and habits might you add to my daily routine that strengthen the foundation of your faith?
Gabrielle Poma
Photo credit: Julia Sudnitskaya via iStock