One of the ways it's helped me to grow is by listening to the CDs from Lighthouse Catholic Media. As I am the driver (because it's my car for this team), I decided that we should listen to something that we could all agree on. We all have widely differing musical tastes and though mine seems the most eclectic, this seemed to be the way to keep all of us happy. Now, keep in mind that before this trip I had never listened to these CDs, so I thought I was taking a chance; what a wonderful chance it was to take. I had seen these CDs and pamphlets in the gathering space at my parish, as well as others, but was never interested in them. I came late to listening to them, but they have been remarkable. They differ widely on the topics, but they are all put together so well. It's also interesting that the majority of the "major" converts like Peter Kreeft, Scott Hahn, and David Currie have all concentrated on the Eucharist as a key point for their conversions. Maybe that will be a different topic all together, in the future.
Another part of growth has been being in relatively close quarters with 7 other people for the last month or so. These aren't just ordinary people, these are all men and women who are on fire for their faith, living it out and growing deeper in their own relationships with God. Now, we get on each others' nerves from time to time (or day to day), but what family doesn't? Because the eight of us are family. And for me at least, the three biggest things that they (and the CDs) have pointed out for growth is: humility, know and live from the fact that God loves me, and an increased devotion to prayer (especially in front of the Eucharist).
Humility: I try to be humble, but sometimes it's very hard, especially when you perceive someone is saying something that is not quite accurate. I've been able to resist jumping down their throat for the most part, yet I still have to resist the urge to make a sarcastic comment. It doesn't always work, or work all that well; It's going to be a lifetime of work for this one. I've also got to learn that God has blessed me with certain gifts and talents which I can't be afraid to use, especially at the appropriate time.
This will be helped by knowing and living from the fact that God loves me. The thing is, I know it in my mind and in my heart, but it still can be difficult to live from. There are always people that will try to tear others down and we are our own worst enemies, as we can find our own justifications in order to live contrary to this truth. However, if we do not live from this truth, how can we be joyful and proclaim the Good News. If it's Good News, which it is, how can we show others the love of Christ, if we do not live in and from it ourselves?
This stems from prayer: When we pray, we should be deepening our relationship with God. We're not the only ones with input in this. As many wise people have said, "You have one mouth and two ears. You should be listening twice the amount you're talking." This goes especially with God; yes, we should tell him what goes on and how we're feeling/thinking, but we also need to listen to Him. This always seems more effective in front of the Holy Eucharist, whether it's exposed or not. It depends on our environment as well as making the time to talk and listen to Him. We have to follow up on that as well, not filling it up with other things instead of prayer. Those are three things that will help me grow in faith. I pray that God gives me His Graces to help me even more in those areas. I pray that God gives you the His Graces to help you in the areas that you need to grow in. And for today's video, the Apostle's Creed.
