Moderate drought is what we are currently experiencing here in southern Florida. My husband and I passed a condominium community that has a large decorative concrete staircase in front with water majestically flowing down. Not today! I am guessing the not-so-majestic staircase is dry because of the drought. Believe me, the staircase is quite unattractive in its dryness.
So what do we do if we experience a type of “moderate drought” in our everyday spiritual life? It is very easy to get discouraged. Life in this modern, busy, technology-filled world does not lend itself to slowing down to solve a problem like this. What can we do to get going and growing again?
First, drought is usually temporary. We must remain hopeful. So many of the psalms in the Bible remind us of God’s nourishing and faithful love. Psalm 23, for example, is a perfect prayer to inspire us to keep moving forward in our quest for holiness. We recently celebrated the feast of Pentecost on which we celebrated the coming of the Holy Spirit. That marvelous Spirit is with us; we can ask the Spirit to sprinkle us with refreshing dew filled with the promised gifts of wisdom, understanding, counsel, knowledge, fortitude, piety, and fear of the Lord. We may feel a bit dry, but we can still pray. The Lord is always listening to our prayers, even if they are short and sweet!
Plants keep growing in times of drought, but, perhaps, at a slower rate. Patience is required. We can be patient and optimistic at the same time. In today’s world, the pace is often very fast. Sometimes we lose sight of valuable details when we rush too much. Some things need work at a slower pace to ensure and treasure their value. It could be that we need to rework our busy schedules so we can reassess our priorities. In today’s liturgy, the gospel reading is from Matthew 5:1-12, the Beatitudes. The descriptions of those who are “blessed” pretty much imply the practice of patience. Taking those beatitudes, one by one, and praying with them can be revealing and helpful.
Receiving the sacrament of reconciliation can be very refreshing and a method of renewal or recovery. Starting over, changing the usual routine, and seeking priestly counsel can cause a shower of renewal to come upon us. We know the Lord gives us teachers, friends, and advisors who can give us helpful suggestions in our journey to holiness.
I suggest we turn the water on again on the staircase of our spiritual journey and be prepared to learn and grow!
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Painting: The Sermon of the Beatitudes, James Tissot, 1886-1896. Brooklyn Museum. Public domain.
Sharon Krause is a RENEW volunteer whose writing has appeared in several resources for small-group faith sharing. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother residing in Royal Palm Beach, Florida. Over the years, she has served in many parish ministries.