(June 16, 2019) | Lectionary: 166
Adults: In what difficult situation has the Holy Spirit helped you see more clearly?
Children: What kind of decision can the Holy Spirit help you with?
by Thomas Gette
In the hurried nature of our culture, it is easy to get stuck in the momentum of doing and achieving. Usually our days are a sprint from our beds in the morning back to our beds at night. Even if we have excellent time management skills, our days can make us feel like we’ve been shot out of a canon.
The fast pace of our days has us focused on quickly moving on to the next thing. The defining characteristic in this daily race is a lack of rhythm.
Imagine if music was composed in this way: all the instruments playing in fast tempo, accelerating until a full stop. It would not be enjoyable to the listener. What makes music so effective and beautiful is the balance between silence and sound. We get drawn in by this dance of melody and harmony and rhythm. Classical music especially is known for its moments of “grand pause.” Such moments give dramatic effect and a bit of rest.
Similarly, when our lives speed along, it becomes very difficult to listen to the voice of God. The Holy Spirit is always trying to guide us and speak to us. But if we do not give ourselves moments to listen, we can easily miss out.
This is especially true when we are facing difficult moments. Taking time to pause and listen and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to see clearly in times of trial and stress. It is often said that decisions should not be made under stress. We can be at peace knowing we have a sure guide to help us navigate.
Even if we are not facing a particularly difficult situation, finding a way to create a rhythm to our days will bring about much more peace and clarity. Punctuating our days with prayer and silence can help us stay connected with God and can help us keep from feeling suffocated and drained from overwork and overcommitment. Then, when we face a difficult situation, we will have the strength and clarity to act with grace and peace.
Thomas Gette is a family man with a passion for the domestic Church. He holds master’s degrees from both Franciscan University and the Catholic University in Leuven, Belgium.