Spiritual Matters

Whenever we come to the Lord, whether in prayer or at Holy Mass, we must realize that it is different from material things. When I am thirsty, I take a glass of water and drink. But when I want to drink spiritually, it is not that simple. I make the sign of the cross, say, “God, help me,” and think it is all settled.

Spiritual things are not easily accessible to our perception because we are bodily beings. This leads us to try to satisfy bodily needs, because it is easier. The body is made for that; it is natural to it. If a person wants to live spiritually, he must experience a kind of violence against himself. This violence is called being born again.

In one place Jesus says: “The violent take possession of the Kingdom of God.” There is a difference between the life of faith and a religious life. A religious life consists of many things that can be done in a bodily way: I make the sign of the cross, I go to Holy Mass, I receive Holy Communion. But the life of faith is the search for the Kingdom of God, believing that God will fulfill all His promises — but not immediately, as we often wish.

People often have wrong attitudes. They want God to act just because they have prayed or gone to Holy Mass. We cannot approach spiritual things as if they were a vending machine. Many times it may seem to us that we see no result.

Several figures from the Old Testament can serve as examples for us: Abraham, Simeon, Zechariah. Believing is not easy. Modern man wants to have light immediately. This applies both to bodily things and to spiritual things.

And let us realize one more thing: man tries to make his bodily life easier, and that is why he is constantly inventing something. He would like the same in spiritual matters. He wants to see results immediately. If he does not see them, he loses interest in spiritual things.In conclusion, I would like to say: God will not change the conditions of spiritual life just because they are demanding and unacceptable to many people. He forces no one. Those who think they can adapt the Gospel to their own image are mistaken.