Stepping Stones from Stumbling Blocks: Weekly Message for 07-21-2020

Dear Fellow Digital Pilgrim, pax Christi:

After a busy year thus far, I am looking forward to the relaxed rhythm of the summer months with a chance to find time for much-needed rest and reflection. As the majority of us begin phases of re-entry I hope to take some time reflecting on what I have lost and gained, learned, and need to let go of from the experience of the pandemic lockdown. The world as we know it is definitely on a new course and I hope to discover how I can be part of making it better. 

A friend recently shared with me how she is looking at things through the perspective of how God turns apparent stumbling blocks into stepping stones.

See, I am doing something new!
Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
In the wilderness I make a way,
in the wasteland, rivers. – Isaiah 43:19

So before the summer gets away from me I am going to try and find a prolonged moment to stop and ask myself the same.

What beautiful things have I come to appreciate and discover about myself and those around me during this pandemic? What do I need to let go of? Where is God asking me to trust in His providence and mercy? What new rhythm or habits have I adopted over these months that I want to become part of my new normal?

So, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving”.– Col 2:6-7

For isn’t this is what we truly believe and experience as Christ’s followers? We not only receive God’s love and grace, which heals and renews us in every dimension of our being but we have also been made sharers in the truly amazing mission of helping to build up Christ’s Kingdom. By inviting us to join him in that effort, he has given an eternal meaning, an everlasting resonance to our lives here on earth no matter what historical circumstance or challenge we find ourselves facing. How we respond can reverberate forever. This thought is never far from our hearts and minds here at RCSpirituality.  We are eager and excited to share with you new and creative efforts to that end. 

With many new challenges and apparent “stumbling blocks” in today’s ever-changing world, our online ministry at RCSpirituality continues to respond with new initiatives such as the Live Retreat Guide webinars presented by Fr. John Bartunek, LC and our upcoming Ask a Priest Live webinar with Fr. Bartunek, and Fr. Edward McIllmail, LC. We know that only through a deeper encounter with Our Lord Jesus do we have direction, clarity, and hope in whatever life scenario we find ourselves in. 

In the same way, we do hope you have been enjoying The Living Heart of an Apostle: A Meditation Novena to Walk, Pray, and Reflect with Mary Magdalene. Thanks to the generous support of our digital missionaries we can continue offering encouragement to thousands of people around the world along their faith journey. There is still time to sign up and register for our conversation with Liz Tabish later today at noon EDT to conclude this unique Meditation Novena experience. 

But don’t think that we will be too relaxed this summer and forget about you in our prayers! We are most grateful for your prayerful support and generous contributions enabling us to be growing RCSpirituality’s digital community, and for the chance to serve you with our formation resources.

As we begin to plan for the year ahead please keep sending us your feedback, including thoughts and ideas about the kind of topics and resources you would like us to provide. We want everything we do to be a real help for your pursuit of holiness, happiness, and fruitfulness.

We hope and pray that it helps you to enter into the spiritual dynamic of this saint and gain light and strength for your journey of ongoing conversion and deeper discipleship.

Yours sincerely in Christ, 

Lucy Honner
lucy@rcspirituality.org