13 Ways To Spiritually Improve The
Day
By: Eric Gajewski
Many say they want to be Saints but
so few by action ever do. The great athlete
does not become the best at his craft without first putting together a “game plan” as to
how to achieve his goals. It should be
every Christian’s goal to avoid not only hell but Purgatory altogether. Yes, we
are all sinners but we should not become so dejected that we no longer
try. If we truly love Christ we should
arise each day and “do” for Him not for our mother or father or neighbor. We must now bow to human respect but rather
center our heart’s movements upon Charity allowing the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the “gatekeeper” (if you will) of our hearts. Let us
look at some ways we can continue to advance in the spiritual life so that we
may one day fly as eagles wingless (Faith & Hope not needed in heaven) in
His Presence. Here are 13 practical ways
an eagle can spiritually improve his or her day.
Start the day off right. Preparation. Be committed to staying inward.
Be resolute in your advancement toward the Sacred Heart of Christ. Keep death in sight for we do not know as
pilgrims when our last breath will be. Keep
in the forefront of your mind God’s utter detest for sin and keep from even the slightest offenses. Pray for holy
priests, prelates, the Pope and souls in Purgatory. Pray for clarity in regards
to God’s Will for your life. Look for
the “signs” He leaves as answers that we often overlook or miss altogether. Remember O' eagles the Saints never had a “way” they only sought after His way in all things. Be intent, follow through and edify. Be prepared to try and
bring out the best in others.
Examination of Conscience. Review. For the beginner three times a day
examine thy conscience. Once late
morning, once late afternoon and once shortly before bed. Recall those sins you keep falling into so
that you can avoid them. It is one thing
to first recognize the fault it is another thing to root that fault out altogether. The man who will constantly
keep guard after his heart and stay inward in dialogue will “stay ahead”
(generally speaking) of his actions. Yet, we are all sinner’s are we not? The man who stays on the surface constantly
in dialogue with creatures are far more liable to gossip, tell bearing and sin
in general.
Disposition of Thanksgiving. In your
prayer life rather than jump to what “I” would like, have you ever considered
what God would like from you this day?
Always start off in prayer by giving thanks to the God who truly wants
what is best for us. Why is it then we
continue to want what we know we ought not have? The disease of “me” must be rooted out of the
heart, therefore, our disposition in prayer must be firmly entrenched in this
spirit of thanksgiving. Ask for the
grace to see what He sees. Do not be bitter, do not grumble and gripe. Do not become complacent but acknowledge
often the manifold benefits of the true and living God. Humble people are thankful people.
Silence and Solitude. Spend an hour a day away. Yes, even you married couples as well (work it out). Take that time out and visit our Lord in the
Blessed Sacrament. Take that hour to
pour out your heart to him via a scenic walk in nature. You cannot hear God if you are constantly
talking on the surface with man. How do you
expect to hear from God and hear wilst engaged with man at the same time? Restless souls do not like to be alone for
they seek to avoid this dark within and yet every man must face the truth about
his soul sooner or later. A man will first find silence and solitude to be dry but as a man advances in the spiritual life He truly runs to find these two brothers. Find your own (exile) Island like the eagle of
Patmos, John the Apostle did.
Journal. It is important to notice trends in your own
interior life. It is important to see
visibly those things which need to be rooted out and corrected. It is very
helpful to see the words in which you write which often tell the story of the heart. Where your heart is there also is
thy treasure. It can be very therapeutic
especially in the early stages of the purgative phase of the interior
life. Document your trials and tribulations it is helpful at times to go back and review.
Spiritual Reading. This is imperative for your salvation. Without the proper norm of Faith it is impossible to please God how thence can you get into heaven? By good looks? By being the coolest? By
winning the world’s awards? Certainly
not, therefore, know your Catholic Faith (not Vatican II gospel of man) and not
the modernist new faith of the Conciliar Church. Read an encyclical daily (make
it apart of your 1 hour silence if need be) Read a chapter from the writings of
the saints specifically on the interior life. The Imitation of Christ and the
Sacred Heart are absolutely mandatory in my opinion.
Love works. Faith without works is
dead because love without works is dead. There is time daily for us to show the
world our Love on display. Feed the
homeless, visit the sick, admonish the sinner, correct those following the
Vatican II New Religion, pray for our enemies, etc There is a lot we could do but unfortunately
when we are not structured and disciplined we fail to see those things Christ
does. How many of these opportunities pass us by daily. God cannot work in you until you get off your
own throne. Self or the Sacred Heart?
Which shall it be?
Do penance. Find those things (in your journal?) that you
cannot absolutely stand to do and DO THEM (not sinful things of course). Break your will my friend so that Christ can put
you together in grace. Mortify your senses and appetites. It must become conscious you are attempting
to be an inward man. Sacrifice for Christ this pleases Him much. Go above and beyond what your Confessor would
ask of you! Go above and beyond what the Church would ask of you! Strive for holiness for if you will not be
holy there is no guarantee thy neighbor will and if no one will strive for
holiness then where does that leave Society?
Well, take a look at the current world scene. Perhaps take a long walk in the cold weather specifically for the souls in Purgatory
would be a good example.
Seek advice when need be. It is good from time to time throughout the
day to ask for advice from those more learned or who perhaps have gone similar trials,experiences and afflictions as you have.
We must remember though that the creature does not replace God. Man cannot give you within what our Source
and End can.
See Crosses as Opportunities. The heavier the Cross the greater the
opportunity. The Saints did not carry
around smaller crosses and talk about them publicly they carried the heaviest
Crosses and spoke about them only with their Beloved within. The path of pain leads to eternal gain thus
do not let your feet flee from Calvary!
In addition be ever mindful of the sufferings of those around us. We all
must be more compassionate towards those carrying Crosses around us.
Avoid distractions. Turn the TV off and read. Quit listening to the latest gossip online or
with your friends and spend that wasteful time into doing something productive. Where we leave our soul off here in this life
is where we will “pick it up” in the next. Do not remain idle but avoid the
world’s deceits. Quit the clubs and
parties and start getting serious about your salvation. There is always
something to do for the Lord so why waste that time doing utterly rubbish and
meaningless things.
Meditate. Make your home a healthy environment for the
Saints and angels! Turn on some lovely
Gregorian chant and Latin Hymns. Light a
candle, be still and silent on the surface and speak within. Find a room in the house that can be strictly
setup for meditation. Get an Image of the Holy Face of Christ and just behold
Him. Remember the world stands no chance of changing unless you first decide to
change yourself. Take one Scripture andquote of a saint and reflect upon that daily. Remember, it is not what Christ can do for us rather we must find and
obtain this Heart which always looked to serve others. You won’t find this Sacred Heart within if
you are constantly trying to look into others……get it?
Habit. Take the aforementioned
previous 12 steps and make them a habit.
These are at least a good start into becoming more structured anddisciplined for each day. Having a few
good days is simply not enough! Do not become stagnant and let your friends be
the example we are to live by. One bad
habit can cost you an eternity.
Therefore, let the Blessed Mother into your life and specifically into your heart and let her watch over thy every movement it makes. Ask if this would please the Sacred Heart or
not. Wear the scapular pray the
Rosary. See each day as a new battle in the
war for the soul wherein, we, Her Soldiers, must follow the orders of Holy Religion if we are even to get out of this war alive. We are not guaranteed another day, another afternoon, another hour, how thence will you choose to spend your time? May God bless you and
keep you, Ave Maria!
