A Note from Fr. Dan

Spiritual Freedom
Dear parish family, Some of the best advice I ever received was from my wise, holy spiritual director when I was 25 years old. In one of our conversations he said to me: “Daniel, we have a Messiah, and you are not Him.” Perhaps you have heard the story of Pope John XII, who is supposed to have said at the end of a long day: Lord, I am tired and going to bed. It is Your Church, You take care of it until morning.” Another expression that you may have heard (I do not know from whom this came) “Tell the Lord all of your plans, then sit back quietly and listen to Him laugh.” None of these are meant to suggest that we should not plan and prepare and do the best that we can with the gifts and talents that God has given us; but they do remind us that ultimately God is in charge: God is the Creator, only God can redeem us; only God has total freedom and absolute knowledge. This Spiritual Freedom enables us to be truly free; to not be overly anxious or worried about what will be. God expects us to work with Him in the proclamation of His Kingdom, but it is His Kingdom, not ours. He has given us all that we need: Jesus, our Redeemer; the Holy Spirit to teach, help and sanctify us; the Scripture, the Church and Sacraments and a long history of wise and faithful people who remind us to trust God. Two of my favorite prayers that remind me to trust God are: “The Prayer of Abandonment”: by St. Charles de Foucauld and the ” Take Lord Receive Prayer” by St. Ignatius of Loyola. Of course there is St. Faustina’s brief exhortation “Jesus, I trust in You.” This sense of Spiritual Freedom is truly liberation and removes much of the burden of worry and anxiety. Try these prayers; offer all to God and surrender freely to His Divine will. Try it, you will like it. God Bless, Fr. Dan