Post-mass, after a Holy Hour–day three of Our Lady Undoer of Knots novena, I walked into conversation with friends talking in the lobby. One was a gentleman I enjoy through recovery efforts and a mutual enthusiasm for the Cavaliers. I had not seen him in a while so I wanted to extend fellowship. Friendly, well-intended, joyful in nature, the conversation steered into strange areas: theological issues, the questioning of a saint, critical evaluation of the younger generation. Subjects in truth of great depth casually explored as if discussing a sporting or entertainment event . The last topic touched deeply as I have been thinking and praying a lot regarding my son and his friends—millennials. All matters reaffirm my stalwart conviction that as a contemplative my strength is my prayer life. The EUCHARIST healing, strengthening, providing is my source and literal Savior. My daily Holy Hour is my solace, refuge, the time of complete immersion within the Divine. Interaction with others is delicate. Conversation is a seductive lady desiring to become a mistress. Fickle in nature, seeking entertainment, sensationalism and immediate gratification, depth exist not within her lairs. Conversation must be guarded, the option of presenting myself a fool, or lacking knowledge, more lucrative than the shameful glory of admiration. There are those who can lift, authentic in their defenses against casualness and the desire to say too many words about subjects best left alone. It was funny that a name was mentioned, the owner of a wonderful Catholic bookstore, an authentic individual I have lost contact with. Bible studies were being discussed and the comment was put forth that this woman declares NO Bible study unless a priest is present. I always admire her insight. She is stern, trending toward the ultra-conservative, possibly tagged with a touch of scrupulosity, yet for myself I always feel secure discussing religious matters with her. She does not treat the religious life as a source of entertainment. I called her this morning simply for conversation. She lifted my spirits. We must lift one another, not draining energy. My friend in Christ is a safe haven amidst a world of complexities. I also spoke with an uplifting friend on the telephone who discussed, not complaining, discerning insight, about her difficulty after mass when a gentleman who as she put it dumped on her, speaking to her about his problems, blaming everyone in his life for his struggles. She also took a friend to a shrine for healing mass, only to be saddled with a miserable person for the day, an individual who gave her a headache with his negativity. I am convinced we must not be casual or rough upon each other during times of seeking sanctifying grace. I also bring this all forth to point out a concern for my son and his friends. I enjoyed my time with them immensely. They are young adults of depth. They basically think of themselves as atheist, definitely nonChristian, spiritual in the sense of not subscribing to a single way of thought, embracing all wisdom, rejecting all categories, titles, and prejudices. They are intelligent, tackling life with vigor; adventurous, intelligent and compassionate in caring for others. Absolutely non-Catholic in commitment, moral and ethical, hard-working and responsible, I am convinced I engaged healthy and spiritually maturing individuals in my millennial experience. Abiding to mysteries, holding to my love of Mary, the Saints, and the Trinity—to Truth, the Fullness of Truth, knowing Truth is Truth, I pray engaging my contemplative efforts to the conversion of my son and his friends. I am convinced I must be a true man of spiritual depth, an authentic imitator of Christ to influence the millennials. My bookstore owner friend holds a prayer group every second of the month. We rise at five AM, praying three mysteries of the Rosary for the conversion of the world. What an extremely noble pursuit, yet even more an extremely difficult one. May our desire for the conversion of the world arise from love, through charity we must reach out. The need to dominate, shallowness, or casualness—the lack of personal development, unable to respect, nor admire the God given attributes and intelligence of non-Catholics just will not work, and most unChrist-like it does not ascend from love, compassion and the desire for all that is of God to return to God. Through the attaining of depth, through prayer amassing love within us, let us become channels of God’s peace, love, and understanding. Authentically, an individual others, those advancing/maturing in non-Catholic ways, can look to and admire. Let them see us conducting behavior and a prayer life, a devotion to the Eucharist that inspires them, allowing their natural affinity for truth to say I want to try that—a religion of attraction rather than promotion. Let Our Holy Mother speak through us, rather than our desire for personal ascension to mutter words about holy ideals. NonCatholics can be smart, many smarter than us, let us not rely upon reason and cleverness when approaching them. Once again, as in all things, let us draw forth from faith, hope, and charity. More Dr Nichta wisdom, pointing to scripture, respecting his many years of seminary study, focuses upon the story of the rich young man who comes to Jesus, declaring his admiration and desire to follow Our Lord. Jesus, able to penetrate hearts and minds, looks to the young man, posing a challenge, declaring first he must give up all possessions. Attached, the young man possessing great wealth, cannot abide. He walks away. Dr Nichta stresses the importance of recognizing the respect and dignity Jesus presents to the young man, permitting self-will and personal choice when he allows the young man to walk away. Simply, he offers a choice. Consider his divine persona, words, and glorious disposition that must have attracted to the extreme. To garner the individual attention of Jesus, a one-on-one conversation, must have been intense to the highest degree, a moment of complete self-awareness, spiritual fulfillment immediately at hand. The young man was offered a choice within a few words. He chose to remain attached, walking away. Jesus did not follow the young man berating him, declaring his lack of wisdom, deriding his lack of insight, overwhelming him with reasons and arguments why he made the wrong decision. Jesus was not consumed with being recognized as right over all other choices. He simply allowed the rich young man to walk away. It is a decisive moment to contemplate—a demonstration of the profoundness of personal choice.
Within Truth
