One of my favorite books on prayer is Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening by Cynthia Bourgeault. Cynthia is an Episcopal priest who grew up in a Quaker school and later studied under Fr. Thomas Keating, a Cistercian monk and a leader in the centering prayer movement. One day I was reading along and was struck by these words: “The goal of contemplative prayer has been the radical transformation of the human person in service of the Kingdom. It requires only honesty, commitment, and a good sense of humor. From these three raw ingredients, great saints can be fashioned.” (p. 159) These lines struck me because suddenly I saw how I was trying too hard! I was forever comparing myself to Fr. Jim who was a great preacher, or Fr. Tom who spoke Spanish so well, or Msgr. John who always knew what to say as a pastor. Instead, in order to live out my vocation, I only need to be committed (faithful), to be honest, and to have a sense of humor about it all. I admit that “being honest” is for me the hardest part. It means being honest with what I can and cannot do with my particular talents and temperament. It means letting God be God and giving up control over things for which I have little control. Most days I don’t think I can be a superhero priest. But most days I think I can be faithful, I can be honest about my limitations, and I can always have a sense of humor! How are you living your own vocation as wife, husband, mother, father, student, single traveler? Are you committed to these same three raw ingredients? Don’t try to change the whole world. Be honest, be faithful, and be able to laugh at yourself. In other words, be a saint. - - - Fr. Jim
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