The Bishop's Perspective - To Do or Not To Do: That is Our Spiritual Question

I’ve always been one to make “to-do” lists for just about everything, from grocery needs to daily tasks, to upcoming events to be scheduled. There’s a great sense of accomplishment, not only when the groceries are bought, when the task is accomplished and when the event is past, but also, in checking off each of those from the “to-do” list.

As faithful followers of Jesus, we also have our spiritual “to-do” lists to help us be successful in our vocation to grow in holiness. That list on our daily Examination of Conscience should include the fundamentals, such as: am I following the 10 Commandments? am I living my life according to the Beatitudes? am I being faithful to my Baptismal Promises and to the Creed of our Catholic faith? Jesus summed it up with just two do’s: 1) to love God with your whole heart, soul, mind and strength and 2) to love our neighbor as we love ourselves — and as Jesus loves us.

Jesus knows how challenging it is for us to choose “to do” what is right and “to not do” what is wrong. That is why he has given us the two most important spiritual resources possible: the Precious Gift of himself in the Holy Eucharist to be our spiritual Food and Drink and the Gift of the Holy Spirit to be our “inspiration.” So how can these two gifts help us?

First, the Eucharist is the “source and summit of our Faith,” the true Presence of Jesus alive in the Body and Blood, as our spiritual nourishment. As we enter into communion with Jesus, as we become one with him, we are then able to live out our mission as the Body of Christ. Our hands become his Hands on Earth; our Feet, his Feet; our ears become sensitive to the cries of the poor; our actions continue Jesus’ Acts of llove, mercy, healing and reconciliation. We then can be transformed, as members of his Body, to be the very Eucharist we have received.

Second, we need the Gift of the Holy Spirit, and the seven-fold Gifts the Spirit brings to us. The apostles are powerful examples of what the Holy Spirit accomplished. They had witnessed Jesus’ miracles, heard his teachings and learned from him what it meant to be Holy, the Son of the Father. They were among the first witnesses to Jesus’ Resurrection. They spent 40 days after Easter with him until he ascended into Heaven, when he gave them their mission: to go forth, to baptize, to teach, to share Jesus’ Good News to the ends of the earth. Yet, they were completely paralyzed by fear— until Jesus sent them the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. Like the apostles, we need to avail ourselves of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that we have received in our baptism and confirmation, and to
live our lives, guided by the Holy Spirit, so that our lives will bear the Holy Spirit’s Fruits.

So, are we trying to faithfully follow our spiritual “to-do” and “to-not-do” lists? Check! Are we availing ourselves of the precious Gifts Jesus has given us of the Eucharist and the Holy Spirit? Check! What else do we need? We need the openness of our Blessed Mother’s “Fiat,” so that we too can say to God: “Let it be done to me as you say.” We need the obedience of Jesus to his Father: “Not My will, but Yours be done.” And we need to pray for, and open ourselves to, the inspiration and guidance of the Holy Spirit: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful people, and enkindle within us the Fire of Your Love.”