Spiritual Direction: Inviting God In

Brother Tom Redmond, SM
Marianist PULSE is thankful to have Brother Tom Redmond, SM as this week's guest blogger. Brother Tom lives in the Marianist Novitiate community on the property of Mt. St. John in Dayton, OH. 

With a rich and diverse ministry background from carpentry, to teaching high school Religious Studies, to Novitiate formation, to retreat ministry, to Director of the Marianist Health Care Community in Cupertino, CA., to now being on staff at NACMS, Brother Tom has a long interest in the process of human and spiritual development.


The first reading at the PULSE Commissioning Mass on August 3 set the stage for the eight new Marianist PULSE volunteers to begin their year of service. In the selection from the Prophet Isaiah (32:15-18) we read of the promise of new life, "The spirit of god will be poured forth, the wilderness shall become a fertile land, justice, peace and integrity will be known."

Through their PULSE commitment, based on living in an intentional Marianist community, something new is happening in their lives, and something new is happening in Dayton. What an appropriate reading to begin their year in PULSE! In his homily at this Commissioning Mass, Father Chris Wittmann underlined this reality as he shared, “you will be changed by this year, you will face many surprises. Invite God into every situation.”
Brother Tom with MP2 volunteers, neighbors and friends

With these words of Father Chris, I am reminded of an insight by William Barry and William Connolly in their book The Practice of Spiritual Direction. The authors share that as life affects us we react, and from a faith perspective the presence of God is noticed in the events of our day. Our reaction may be positive, supporting a willingness to accept and grow with what is before us, or our reaction may be negative, leading to an avoidance of what is before us. These thoughts, feelings, and reactions are worth noticing and then talking about with a trusted person to get some greater clarity on what is happening in our lives. Within a faith context this conversation is known as spiritual direction - one person sharing with a trained listener the stirrings within one’s heart and mind to the stuff of life and how one perceives the presence of God in it all. The object of spiritual direction is not to get answers to one’s questions but to get support in honestly facing life’s joys, pains, and questions as one holds all of this in prayer before God.

Let’s say I am in the midst of a transition in life. I might use parts of Psalm 139 to help me express my feelings to God.

O Lord, you search me and you know me. It was you who knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Where can I go from your presence? Lead me in the everlasting way.

Brother Tom praying with his community
What is it like to share this with God? At first glance this may seem quite introspective, but the real object in spiritual direction is to come to a greater clarity and ownership of one’s life and in turn to hold all of this before God. The gift received is a greater self knowledge along with a deeper sense of the presence of God. In turn then, the gift shared with others is a greater sense of presence to others along with reflecting the presence of God.

To cite the words of Father Chris again, “You will be changed by this year, you will face many surprises. Invite God into every situation.” May we all be open and responsive to what God holds before us each day.

Brother Tom Redmond, SM



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