The Serenity Prayer is a very popular tool for spirituality in our postmodern world.  Countless alcoholics, codependents, and addicts have clung to that last phrase, “the wisdom to know the difference,” as a way to separate reality out from all of the drama unfolding in their souls.  This line of distinction, which signifies the onset of spiritual puberty, positions us for the risk of consciousness, by which we make a free and trusting decision to enter into the mystery of life.  It is no wonder, therefore, that the word disciple literally means “to know one thing from another,” and that Jesus, who himself is called the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24), invites us to stand in that narrow place of encounter where divine meets human, time meets eternity, male meets female, rich meets poor, Jew meets Gentile, etc.  Let’s therefore double-down on our commitment to prayer and discover, on the other side, a serenity that lasts.  In this way, we shall become artists, and the lines that we draw with our lives will serve as truth and beauty for a world that is desperate for meaning.  Ave Crux, Spes Unica.

“The Serenity Prayer,” 1951, Reinhold Niebuhr

The goal of yoga is enlightenment.  This “yoking” of our human bodies with the invisible is an act of faith that demands deep trust in the ground of our being.  How easy it is indeed to default to a life of complacency, wasting our time in the shadows, wasting away in an unceasing playground of concepts.  To yoga is to rush out to meet our beloved at the level of our cells, to demand the fresh air of existence, to know where the psychodrama ends and life begins.  In an age of multiculturalism, it is not hard to imagine how such a practice might translate to our daily lives: actually taking the risk of asking the person caught in a thunderstorm if they need a ride, getting out of bed twenty minutes early to shovel our elderly neighbor’s driveway, or selecting a walking route that takes us past the house of a person with whom we need to make amends.  Yoga is more than posing, and what we do with our bodies becomes our salvation. 

Ave Crux, Spes Unica.

🔥 Feast of the Exultation of the Holy Cross 🔥

The word “obvious” is of the essence of the spiritual life.  When we discern with discipline and trust the process, one step at a time, the solutions to our problems and the answers to our questions gradually appear “along the way,” that is, they are “obvious.”  Indeed, the rigor of thinking things through to their rightful end and simultaneous openness to the mystery of life beyond our narrow view positions us to receive, for the first time, that which is already in our midst.  Jesus says as much about the Kingdom of God, that it is “among us” (Lk 17:21) and “at hand” (Mk 1:15).  If only we had eyes to see (Ps 115:5)!  Therefore, the next time we are faced with a big decision and are weighing our options, instead of getting lost in pointless worries or other mental distractions, let’s dig deep into our inner well and with single-hearted devotion lower our feet so that they touch the singular way that leads to life (Jn 14:6).  The way is obvious and he longs to meet us.  Ave Crux, Spes Unica.

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost

Jackpot!  My alarm clock goes off and it’s a new day.  Jackpot!  It’s time for my morning routine which affords me the opportunity to practice intentionality.  Jackpot!  My long commute gives me the chance to study the landscapes and exercise good traffic etiquette.  Jackpot!  My normal parking spot has been taken so I will be able to park somewhere new.  Jackpot!  My boss is reviewing me today and I get to sharpen my listening and communication skills.  Jackpot!  My tuna salad sandwich and pile of carrots at lunch serve as reminders of my dependence upon the earth.  Jackpot!  One of my colleagues offers a fair critique of my work which will help me to improve my craft.  Jackpot!  My significant other texts me an impromptu list of items to pick-up from the grocery store which means that I will soak in some air-conditioning on my way home.  Jackpot!  I get stuck in traffic just long enough to hear the news at the top of the hour.  Jackpot!  An evening meal, a reasonable amount of sleep, and a life full of possibilities as my heart just keeps beating:  Jackpot!  Jackpot!  Jackpot!

Ave Crux, Spes Unica.