It’s November as I write this article, even though you are reading it as the new year begins. As I look out my window, leaves that are still on the trees have lost their lustrous hues and now are muted browns, reds and yellows. I think how easy it must be for trees to “let go” of each leaf with each puff of wind. Migratory birds travel to warmer climates. Other birds take on their winter plumage. Black bears prepare their winter dens and gorge on their last bites of food as they go off to their winter sleep. I personally have scraped ice off the windshields of several cars. The colder days have arrived. The Church is praying for those who have gone before us, and students at Assumption College walk daily to our local cemetery and pray for the souls buried there. Meanwhile, on TV, we are bombarded with ads for the latest and greatest gadget that we must have for Christmas. In short, “the season” in which I find myself is being called to let go as we are tempted to grasp for new material items.
I think of this dichotomy as I continue my reflections on the 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness by Joe Paprocki. The fourth key focuses on “Holding on Loosely.” In spiritual jargon, we call this detachment. As leaves fall to the ground each year, they remind us that we too have to hold onto our world as loosely as they hold on to their trees.
Paprocki states, “The key to spiritual wellness is not to condemn materialism [Or think that all the commercials on the next fad are bad] and to avoid it at all costs. Rather, we are called to enjoy God’s creation, while also recognizing that these very same material goods are only representative of the deeper joy that comes from encountering the One who created them in the first place. Enjoying the good of this world is part of a healthy spirituality. What harms our souls is trying to satisfy our need and desire for God with material goods and possessions. The key to healthy spirituality is to hold on loosely to the things of this world, recognizing that we need to hold on tightly to what is unseen.”1 (The italicized words above are mine).
I don’t know about you, but these words cause me to ponder profoundly. One is left with two questions: “How do I use what I do have, understanding that all is gift and that they come from God?” and, “How should I be content with what I have?” The second question will be the subject of my next article.
Paprocki lists seven ways we can use what we have.2 The practices in bold are his, the reflections are mine.
Deepen your appreciation of God’s creation. We are so blessed in this part of the country to experience four seasons. Each season brings forth beauty in a renewed sense. Each should remind us of the diverse ways that God speaks to us as individuals. As we begin the new year, I challenge you to try to connect with God found in creation. Perhaps make this a resolution.
Deepen your awareness of the sanctity of all human life. We are made in God’s image and likeness. All of us, and at every stage. Our society permits complete and utter disrespect of one another, particularly those of us who might think differently than we do or those of us that are viewed as a “burden” to others. God is in charge of all life. His presence is imbedded within us because of His likeness! We become modern-day prophets by standing up not only for the end of abortion and euthanasia, but also speaking and acting as if the person that stands or sits in front of us or next to us is God’s son or daughter. This assists in the building of the Kingdom!
Resist excessive individualism. Individualism is all about me! Individualism is such a part of American culture. However, this is not how we are made. We are made for community. We are born into a community which is a family. A healthy spiritual life focuses not on me but on the common good.
Balance your right to purchase and possess with the responsibility to give and share. When I was a child, my parents taught me the difference between want and need. When Christmas time came, they would ask my brother and I to make a list for Santa of the things we needed and only one thing that we wanted. Santa always seemed to get it right! On Christmas morning, my mother would gather my brother and I and say, “Santa was good to the two of you. There are children in the world who didn’t get anything for Christmas; what item are you going to share with them?” She always allowed us to pick. We packed up the items, along with canned and dried food. I helped her as she put all of it in our trunk and then traveled to a shelter and gave our meager items to those who were less fortunate. This has become part of my being, part of who I am. As the December days turn to January, I challenge you to not hold onto things too tightly but always be ready to share what you have with those who have not.
See reality from the perspective of those who have less. Living with the reality of personal wants verses personal needs can broaden personal perspective. I live with Sisters from many developing countries throughout the world, literally. I am constantly humbled by their appreciation over the simplest of things, over the beauty of creation and the joy they have for those who are kind to us. They understand food insecurity, drought, floods, non-existent health care and oppressive government. Yet, each and every one of them possesses a dignity that comes from the reality that they are completely God’s. Because of this knowledge, they are “richer” than many other people.
Recognize the dignity of work. Since the installation of Pope Leo XIV, the encyclical on the Dignity of Work, (Laborem Exercens) has been revisited by many Catholics. The dignity of work has long been a part of the Church’s social justice teachings. I would like to muse on the fact that in the book of Genesis, we experience God the Father working in the establishment of all of creation. This is the “root” of why work is so important. If the Father worked, so should we.
Practice solidarity with others. True solidarity unites rich and poor, people from every ethnic group, and the weak and the strong. We are all united as one family under God. To actually live and associate with others under this premise calls us to detach from our somewhat myopic point of view and see the needs of others first. This is difficult to do at times, but possible with the grace that flows from God!
As we start the glorious year of our Lord, 2026, let us keep the importance of detachment at the forefront of our spiritual life!
1Paprocki, Joe. 7 Keys to Spiritual Wellness: Enriching Your Faith by Strengthening the Health of Your Soul. Loyola Press, 2012. Pg. 47.
2Ibid. Pg. 55-57.
By Sister Geralyn Schmidt, SCC, Special to The Witness
