MEDITATION:
Written by Joann Wolski Conn, a contemporary professor of counseling and author. This is an excerpt from her book “Women’s Spirituality.”
Spirituality as life experience and as a field of study is no longer identified simply with asceticism and mysticism, or with the practice of virtue and methods of prayer. From the perspective of the actualization of the human capacity to be spiritual encompasses all of life. In general, religious spirituality is a matter of the experience and/or study of the actualization of human self-transcendence by the Holy, by Ultimate Concern—that is, by what is acknowledged as “religious.” Specifically, Christian spirituality involves the actualization of this human capacity through the experience of God, in Jesus the Christ, through the gift of the Spirit. Because this God, Jesus, and the Spirit are experienced through body-community-history-influenced human life and symbols, Christian spirituality includes every dimension of human life. Thus, Christian spiritual development cannot legitimately be identified as soul development, nor be exclusively associated with development in prayer and virtue. To be adequately experienced and studied, it should be viewed as total human development.
PRAYER:
This prayer is adapted from Colossians 1:9-12.
God fill us with the knowledge of your will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. May we live a life worthy of you Lord, and may we please you in every way. May we bear fruit in every good work, grow in the knowledge of you, God, and be strengthened with all power according to your glorious might. Provide us with great endurance and patience. We joyfully give thanks to you, Lord God. Amen.
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