Coming Alive

Sometime back, I heard the Benedictine monk, David Steindl-Rast talk about the word “spirituality” which comes from “spiritus” which means “life,” “breath,” “aliveness.” He says that “spirituality is aliveness on all levels. It has to start with our bodily aliveness, that is being alert/aware of all that is around us.  But of course, when we say “spirituality,” we also mean aliveness to (relationships with others), aliveness to our confrontation with that great divine mystery with which we are confronted as human beings, and which we can look away from, or forget, or be dead to. We come alive to it. And all this coming alive — that is spirituality. And what science has discovered is that when people are grateful, they come alive.” 

I leave you with the same challenge I left you with early in the month. As you go throughout each day this week, I invite you to intentionally pause momentarily from time to time – find something to appreciate. Allow a full 15 – 30 seconds for it to fully sink in. Delight in. Let it soak in, and give thanks.   And as you do, may you feel alive to both the gift – and the Giver.

Let us pray: Open our eyes this week, O God, to the many gifts that surround us on every side. As we notice that our cups are full to overflowing, open our hearts to respond. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.