THE FATHER’S DIRECTION
On this Father’s Day I’ve been thinking about the way God the Father teaches His children, and the way He directs us toward Himself. Almost thirty years ago, Bishop Carl Mengeling challenged the lay ministers of the Diocese to seek out a Spiritual Director to keep us rooted and healthy in our own faith journey. Through the years God has led me to five different Directors; each one brought to me insights and clarity that I needed for that particular time in my life. I found that time with them so fruitful and so life-changing, I started feeling a tug to become a Spiritual Director myself. I finished a two-year training in 2015, and have found this to be one of THE most fulfilling aspects of Parish ministry.
What exactly IS Spiritual Direction? Classically, we say something like: it is a prayerful relationship with a trained companion who encourages the removal of distractions, hearing God’s voice, and growing in habits of holiness. The reality is that the Holy Spirit directs; a human Director listens to the promptings. Sort of like an intercessor or an interpreter.
Daniel Burke of the Avila Institute, author and Catholic podcaster, says that a Spiritual Director can be likened to a good rearview mirror and a clean windshield: a healthy perspective of what lies behind us and a clear view of what’s ahead. Maybe most importantly, they should be like side-view mirrors to help with the blind spots. Dan was one of our instructors for a week intensive during training. I didn’t realize at that time that he is one of the most respected voices in the American Church on this topic!
One of our parishioners who is also trained in Spiritual Direction says: “It holds me accountable, keeps me from going down rabbit holes, provides a companion along the journey, and confirmation of spiritual growth.” Another shares a major insight: “Spiritual Direction opens my heart and frees me from limited thinking, viewpoints, and ideas about who I am and about my Catholic faith. Spiritual direction for me is a trusting and meaningful relationship between me and my director, me and my faith, and me and my God. …It gives me direction on how I can be a better disciple in my everyday life.”
We are not therapists, or faith healers, or psychiatrists. We were trained to be somewhat stoic, unemotive listeners who try to detect the movement of the Holy Spirit on our “radar.” We are supposed to ask, “Where is God in this? What is he doing here?”
Each session, typically monthly, can look very different from another. Sometimes it might look like a counseling session. Or it might appear that we are praying a Rosary together. It might have the feel of a friendly visit over a cup of coffee. Often there is laughter, sometimes tears, almost always a sense that God is near. One of my favorite approaches is to read Scripture and wait for the Holy Spirit to make a connection, an application. We let the Living Word speak to us. A dear friend, “a grateful student” (one of my most frequent directees) shares this: “We read and discuss Scripture… that makes it relevant to today’s challenges, and I find that focus helps me evaluate how my thoughts and actions can be improved. The sessions stay with me long after they are over and are an important part of my spiritual journey.”
Spiritual Direction is one-on-one. It is confidential and private. A safe place to open up and explore important issues of faith. I meet monthly with my Director who is a wise Deacon in San Antonio. We meet through ZOOM meetings, never more than an hour. I always go away with some unique new perspective, confidence, and some great “one-liners” that I often share with others!
A dear saint who walks among us here in Jackson says: “One of the most important facets of spiritual direction to me is that it gives me thoughts besides my own, which can be very biased. Even as I express my thoughts to my Spiritual Director it helps me clear my head and move forward to see what God is calling of me next.”
Most Priests and Deacons can be Directors, at least one of our parishioners is currently in training, and there are several dozen people in our Diocese that have been through different Schools. God the Father wants you to hear Him and respond; Spiritual Direction is like a power tool in your tool box! If you’d like to learn more, get some names, or give it a try, please feel free to reach out to me!