The Garden of Your Soul

     “Our first duty, therefore, precisely in order to heal this world, is to be holy, configured to God; in this way, we emanate a healing and transforming power that also acts in others, on history . . . In this regard, it is useful to reflect that the Twelve Apostles were not perfect men, chosen for their moral and religious irreproachability. They were indeed believers, full of enthusiasm and zeal but at the same time marked by their human limitations, which were sometimes even serious. Therefore, Jesus did not call them because they were already holy, complete, perfect, but so that they might become so, so that they might thereby also transform history, as it is for us, as it is for all Christians.”                                                                                                      Pope Benedict XVI


     As we look at the morals, values and shape of our world, we are tempted to entertain a feeling of hopelessness; to believe it has fallen too far and can never turn around for the good! Just when we think things can’t get any worse, they do!

     Where is God in all of this? What does He think of man, His beloved creation? Is His heart broken? Will God lose His patience with us and just let the end come? Is there anything we can do to help? Can we make a difference?

     According to Pope Benedict, the answer lies with each of us; our first duty, in order to heal the world, is to be holy! Now, truth be told, many of us know very well that we are sinners. We know our faults, our weaknesses and our sins. How in the world can we emanate a healing and transforming power that can act in others and on the history of our world? Why would God place this responsibility upon us unless He believed we could make a difference?

     When Christ choose His apostles, Pope Benedict reminds us, how far from holiness they were. They seemed at times, like a band of misfits. They often didn’t understand Jesus’ teachings. They argued about who was the greatest. They wanted Him to cast fire upon the earth and destroy a town. They betrayed and denied Him. Yet, Jesus believed in them and knew what they could become and how they would change the world.

     God has that same confidence in us, in fact, He is counting on each of us to do our part. Holiness is not being perfect, but loving God and allowing His love to transform us, so we can transform the world.

     As our new year began, many made resolutions of ways in which they wanted to change: losing weight, exercising, career moves, new house, new car, new look! As Christians, taking a spiritual inventory is vital for our path to sanctity.  Taking the time to ask God just how is He calling each one of us to grow in holiness, is the best way to begin.

      Think about a gardener. He plants seeds throughout the year. Before anything can be planted, he must prepare the soil by tilling it and ridding it of weeds and obstacles. Ask God what are the weeds and obstacles in the garden of your soul?

     Chances are it could be anger, impatience, jealousy, gossip, self-centeredness, bigotry, resentment, superiority, vengeance, or any of the many ways we show a lack of love. Ask God to tell you what needs to be done to remove it. Ask Him what He wants to plant in its place. Pull out anger and plant peace. Pull out gossip and plant silence. Replace impatience with patience.

     In prayer, God will bring to light just what needs to be removed from your soul and what needs to be sown. This will not be a once and done exercise, but something that will be needed to be repeated again and again – for the rest of our lives. The Apostles did not change overnight or all at once. They needed to become aware of their failings before they could do anything to correct them. Jesus did not demand immediate perfection, but waited patiently with love, seeing in them the goodness that could be called forth. “See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You too must be patient (James 5:7b-8).

     A gardener does not plant seed without giving the soil the nourishment that is needed. What fertilizer will enrich the soil of your soul for the best possible growth in virtue and grace?     

     Is God calling you to spend more time with Him in prayer? Maybe spending more time with Holy Scripture is for you. Does He want you to add an additional Mass to your schedule during the week? How about increasing your reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation? Is God calling you to spend time with Him in Eucharistic Adoration? Is there someone you need to forgive? Does He want you to focus more on your primary vocation? Ask God for yourself. He will lead and guide you on your path to holiness. It is His will for you!

     Our God is counting on each of us to do our part and grow in holiness! He loves us, His children and this wonderful, crazy world in which we live. He wants to bring His healing and transforming power to our world, and invites us to participate with Him in carrying it out. Unless we choose to grow in holiness, like the Apostles did, we will miss a marvelous opportunity to bring a radical, positive change to the world – a world that desperately needs the healing touch of God!

     St. Teresa of Avila said it so long ago, “Christ has no body now but yours. No hands, no feet on earth but yours. Yours are the eyes through which He looks compassion on this world. You are the feet with which He walks to do good. Yours are the hands through which He blesses all the world. Yours are the hands, yours are the feet, yours are the eyes, you are His body. Christ has no body now on earth but yours.”

     So, stand tall; walk with determination; recognize your call to become holy and make great efforts to bring it about. After all, it is our first duty from our good and loving God, who is depending upon us!