As my most recent series on hope was coming to an end and I was thinking about my next topic, a book literally fell off my bookcase; its title is “7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness” by Joe Paprocki.
As I picked up the book, I “heard” the Holy Spirit whisper, “Your next series!” As I reflected on this, I could not help but think about all of you! I know that whenever I go within the “Catholic circles” of the Diocese of Harrisburg, there is at least one person who reaches out to me, calling me by name, and thanking me for an article I wrote. The first time it happened, I was embarrassed; as time went on, I realized that God was using these words to express a reality that you and I needed to not only hear but to understand! I pray for all of you every day, hoping that God would use my simple musings to bring you closer to Him. So, let’s start on a new series!
In the Introduction of his book, Paprocki writes: “Spiritual wellness enables us to find ‘the more’ that we seek. For many people and more as a code of ethics, Christianity does indeed involve a moral code, but at the core of Jesus’ Good News is an invitation to walk a spiritual path that leads to intimacy with our Creator. Simply put, Christian spirituality rests on the fact that God – who is the ‘more’ that our hearts desire – is accessible through Jesus Christ and this living word. It’s time for us to recover the spirituality of the Christian message, enabling followers of Jesus to experience the spiritual wellness Jesus promised when he said, ‘Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.’” (John 14:27)1
You might be wondering, “Where do we begin?” Paprocki states, “… A realistic self-image is intimately related to God’s image.… If we are indeed created in the image and likeness of God, then each of us bears a ‘family resemblance’ to God. Any attempt to develop a healthy self-perception without taking into account our relationship with God will assuredly fall short. It would be like trying to come to an in-depth understanding of who we are while ignoring our family of origin. Our ultimate ‘family of origin’ is God.”2
To my experience, the average American Catholic, including me, hasn’t really owned up to the depth of one’s heart the fact that we are beloved children of God, sons and daughters of the King of Kings, Lord of Lords. This is where our true dignity lies. Absolutely nothing can rattle that reality unless we allow it! This reality reminds me of the Principle and Foundation of the Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius of Loyola. A modern version of this states, “The reality is this. God, who is love, created everything that is, including me. And all of creation, including me, grows into its best self, its truest self, when thriving in a reciprocal, loving relationship with God the Creator.”3
This message goes against everything that our modern society holds true. I guess this is why this series is so important! I hope you enjoy it!
1Paprocki, Joe. 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness: Enriching Your Faith by Strengthening the Health of Your Soul. Loyola Press, 2012. Pg. ix.
2Ibid, pg. 5.
3 https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/vinita-hampton-wright-on-the-principle-and-foundation/
By Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC, Special to The Witness
