What is your interior disposition this World Youth Day?
Salt + Light Media
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
"If I did not simply live from one moment to another, it would be impossible for me to be patient. But I only look at the present, I forget the past, and I take good care not to forestall the future." - St. Therese of Lisieux
Written by Celine Diaz
In an ideal world, I would be entering World Youth Day in a super reflective state after months and months of contemplation. But the truth is, I'm far from that. Like many other pilgrims, I am so knee-deep in school and work responsibilities that finding time to breathe, let alone reflect, has been an immense challenge (kudos to those of you who are more mentally prepared for this pilgrimage than I am).
It seems to me that we are all entering World Youth Day in different states of life. Some of us are spiritually high, oozing with enthusiasm and excitement for the events that are about to unfold. Others are crawling to World Youth Day in a state of spiritual dryness, desperate for 'living water' to quench their thirst.
Despite whatever state we're in or intentions we have, there seems to be a common thread that unites us all: an over-fixation on the past or the future. But this World Youth Day, I believe God is asking us for more: not only to entrust our past and future to Him, but to be fully present with Him now.
My hope and prayer for my World Youth Day experience is not just related to outcome, but rather interior disposition. It's so fitting that today's Gospel was about Martha and Mary. So far, leading up to this event, I have undeniably been a Martha - busy, distracted, fretting incessantly. But it's not too late for me to return to the present and simply “sit at the Lord’s feet.”
I pray for the peace to have a still heart and the courage to let myself be exposed, vulnerable, and loved by God in my poverty. Despite the mayhem that is going on in and around me, despite all the unanswered questions that still linger in my head, despite the unresolved shards of brokenness - I pray for the grace to simply let God find me and love me here, to let Him meet me where I am, without hiding or shying away ... That is my hope this World Youth Day.
Like I said earlier: we're all going into World Youth Day with different dispositions. But one thing is for certain: God will meet us wherever we are. So let's keep our eyes peeled, for we will find Him. Or rather, He will find us.
Hold nothing back. Bring everything to Him. Let's shed our masks, ditch the facades, and dare to be honest—with ourselves, with others, and especially with God.
"When I look into the future, I am frightened. But why plunge into the future? Only the present moment is precious to me, as the future may never enter my soul at all. It is no longer in my power to change, correct, or add to the past; neither sages nor prophets do that. And so what the past has embraced, I must entrust to God." - St. Faustina
Celine Diaz is a 23 year-old student from Vancouver, BC, who is currently working as a Social Media Coordinator for the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division and a Communication Assistant for Simon Fraser University. For empowering, honest, and inspiring stuff, check out her personal blog at www.RealTalkBlogs.com and follow her on Twitter @celinedizz
Written by Celine Diaz
In an ideal world, I would be entering World Youth Day in a super reflective state after months and months of contemplation. But the truth is, I'm far from that. Like many other pilgrims, I am so knee-deep in school and work responsibilities that finding time to breathe, let alone reflect, has been an immense challenge (kudos to those of you who are more mentally prepared for this pilgrimage than I am).
It seems to me that we are all entering World Youth Day in different states of life. Some of us are spiritually high, oozing with enthusiasm and excitement for the events that are about to unfold. Others are crawling to World Youth Day in a state of spiritual dryness, desperate for 'living water' to quench their thirst.
Despite whatever state we're in or intentions we have, there seems to be a common thread that unites us all: an over-fixation on the past or the future. But this World Youth Day, I believe God is asking us for more: not only to entrust our past and future to Him, but to be fully present with Him now.
My hope and prayer for my World Youth Day experience is not just related to outcome, but rather interior disposition. It's so fitting that today's Gospel was about Martha and Mary. So far, leading up to this event, I have undeniably been a Martha - busy, distracted, fretting incessantly. But it's not too late for me to return to the present and simply “sit at the Lord’s feet.”
I pray for the peace to have a still heart and the courage to let myself be exposed, vulnerable, and loved by God in my poverty. Despite the mayhem that is going on in and around me, despite all the unanswered questions that still linger in my head, despite the unresolved shards of brokenness - I pray for the grace to simply let God find me and love me here, to let Him meet me where I am, without hiding or shying away ... That is my hope this World Youth Day.
Like I said earlier: we're all going into World Youth Day with different dispositions. But one thing is for certain: God will meet us wherever we are. So let's keep our eyes peeled, for we will find Him. Or rather, He will find us.
Hold nothing back. Bring everything to Him. Let's shed our masks, ditch the facades, and dare to be honest—with ourselves, with others, and especially with God.
"When I look into the future, I am frightened. But why plunge into the future? Only the present moment is precious to me, as the future may never enter my soul at all. It is no longer in my power to change, correct, or add to the past; neither sages nor prophets do that. And so what the past has embraced, I must entrust to God." - St. Faustina
Celine Diaz is a 23 year-old student from Vancouver, BC, who is currently working as a Social Media Coordinator for the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division and a Communication Assistant for Simon Fraser University. For empowering, honest, and inspiring stuff, check out her personal blog at www.RealTalkBlogs.com and follow her on Twitter @celinedizz
Photo credit: http://darlingmagazine.org/be-still/
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