Through prayer, education and service we strive for spiritual fulfillment during our maturing years.
Spiritual Transitions of Mature Adults
In
Spiritual Passages, Fr. Benedict Groeschel says there are four types of spiritual seekers—those who seek unity, truth, goodness, and beauty. One of the spiritual transitions of our maturing years is to gather up these four into a new integration. Yet this process is not easy; it requires that we remain ever open to the inner call of God, and it requires our patience as it moves forward at its own pace. The following steps propel us closer to God in our maturing years.
Awakening: heightened awareness of things spiritual, openness to the Spirit, disengagement from purely worldly pursuits.
Going inward: becoming more prayerful, contemplative, even meditative; experiencing a deepening God relationship.
Reverencing: appreciating the sacred, being inspired, living mystery, and walking more by faith and less by sight.
Going outward: active involvement in helping others.
Caring: teaching, sharing, relationship building, and spiritual mentoring.
Shock: walking the dark night of the soul; experiencing disappointment, alienation, turmoil, doubt, and struggle.
Renewal: rebuilding; turning over to God; healthy detachment.
Acceptance: letting-go and letting God; taking another step toward integration and wholeness.
We needn't go through all these steps, or go through them in this order, yet the progression of spiritual transition always beckons us forward. Each stage of life offers abundant opportunities for spiritual growth. We are happiest, healthiest, and holiest when we are actively engaged in our spiritual development tasks. The years beyond age 65 present us with perhaps the most challenging, yet the most growthful time for finding God within.
As the new year begins, there are many issues in society that challenge our Catholic moral and social teachings. Opposition to abortion remains our ‘pre-eminent priority. During the month of January when we acknowledge the 48th anniversary of the fateful Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision, I invite the clergy, religious, and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to join in a common prayerful response to end abortion. Click the article title for some suggestions.
The observances of National Marriage Week (Feb. 7 - 14) are an opportunity to focus on building a culture of life and love that begins with supporting and promoting marriage and the family. Click the article title for more information.
The OLS-SA Respect Life Ministry hosts a Zoom Meeting at 6:45 pm every Wednesday to pray the rosary for an end to both abortion and the coronavirus pandemic. For more information, and a link to the online meeting, click the article title.
The overflowing joy of the participants in the annual March for Life “charges the batteries” of all pro-life Americans. No pro-life Americans should miss out on this experience, so this year, the rally and pre-rally shows will be covered virtually! Click the article title for a link to the registration (free) to receive the link to the live-streamed events.