stuck

In a movie released in the early 2000s, the three main characters are eternally stuck, forever unable to move forward from the moment their parents get divorced. The children grow up, but not really. This is portrayed in the film by the fact that, day after day, year after year, they wear the exact same clothes as they had on the day that the fateful news of the break-up was delivered. They are forever frozen in time, crippled by this event, until they can face their fears and work through their individual problems. At last, the clothes change.

I recently went to Mass where the priest* talked about a similar scenario--only he saw it played out in spiritual terms. He said he speaks with people on a daily basis who still have a “13 year old’s view of God.” Whatever happened to make them stop seeking to know God in an intimate and personal way has forever crippled them in their ability to move forward in the spiritual life. No wonder Christianity does not seem to “work” for them! Their God is only able to deal with a 13 year old’s problems, because that is all He is to them in their minds. God is not present to them in real life as they are experiencing it today.

What about you? Who is Jesus for you--NOW--TODAY? Is He real? Is He relevant? Is He up-to-date enough to handle your very complicated adult issues? If not, then I venture to say you are STUCK! You might as well be wearing your old track suit from the day you “got off” the God wagon.

Pictured above is my beloved spiritual coach, Fr. Zachary Dominguez. Sadly for me, but happily for him, he is being transferred to New Orleans, even as you read this blog. Say a prayer for him today, and all of us who will miss him greatly! I bring this up to first of all say thank you Fr. Zachary for the last three years of insightful and beautiful soul coaching for me as well as for so many others. And secondly, if you are reading this and you feel STUCK-- get UNSTUCK! Please go talk to a priest and if you can, find a spiritual coach to help propel you forward in your relationship with God.

Growing up a non-Catholic I was not familiar with spiritual direction until somewhat later in my spiritual journey. I can say, without a doubt, other than personal one-on-one time with God through prayer and reading His word and partaking of Him through the Sacraments, that having a spiritual director has done more to aid me on my spiritual pilgrimage than any other single thing that I do. He not only hears my confessions and answers so many questions that I have, he holds me accountable and asks me very insightful questions that help to get to the root of all of my spiritual tail-chasing. And then the best part... he prays for me.

If you need help finding a spiritual coach, start by asking your local priest, and, if he is unavailable, ask him for a recommendation. If he cannot help you, call your local diocese office. They should have good resources. You will never regret steps you take to get to know God more fully. And you should never go a single day forward without answering Jesus’ eternally present question to you: “But who do you say that I am?”

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Dear Lord,

I do not want to be stuck! I want to be eternally present with You! I want my relationship with You to work! Now! Here! TODAY! Please get me up to speed with You. Help me find the correct tools and people that will help to support me and enable our relationship to flourish. You designed me for relationship with You and You designed my life to work! Those two facts go hand in hand. Lord, by Your grace, guide me to the right Godly resources. There is so much in this world that is not of You so please direct my feet onto the sure path that leads only to You. For without Your help, I will be forever stuck.

I ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

*Fr. Gregory Konz from Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Washington D.C.