Dear John

A new twist on an old letter!

As a few of my posts have recently stated, I have been spiritual revitalized by what I call the "Spirituality of Weakness" that my pastor, Father Lefor, has embrace and shared with us. I love to talk about with others :) and last November, I mentioned it to my friend John who is in his Spirituality year at St. John Vianney Seminary in Denver. For those of you who don't know, the year is dedicated to breaking you down and opening old wounds so that the men can be healed by Christ before they begin their path toward the priesthood. It is a very intense year, from what I hear, and includes stepping away from phones, Internet, etc. in order to quiet the soul for true discernment and prayer. On his Thanksgiving break, I had the opportunity to talk with John quite a bit about weakness and it really hit home in what he was experiencing in his own spiritual life. We then were able to chat again at FOCUS Conference and he was yearning to dive more into the Spirituality of Weakness, but we did not have enough time to talk as we wanted, so after I decided to start writing about it in my letters to him. (That way he could learn about it at his pace and I didn't have to write him awkward letters about my life knowing he wouldn't be able to respond.)

After a few letters and discussions with my roommates, I discovered that more people need this than John. In light of that discovery, I have decided to post my letters (in pieces, because they are rather long) for all to see. So, anytime you see the title "Dear John" be prepared for weakness and failure. Some of you may not want to read it... it's hard to swallow at times, but my life has been completely changed by this and I cannot keep it to myself! Here is a taste of the first letter:

Dear John,

In writing to you about weakness, I hope to make this more profound in my own life but also introduce you to this new freedom I am experiencing. Really, John, I do not remember a time when I felt so free and like my relationship with Our Lord was so real. It is not always easy, of course, but it is worth it. This way of weakness came to me very painfully- in the midst of doubt, confusion and such brokenness that I was shocked by the peace I felt. Nothing made this doubt, brokenness, or confusion go away, but rather, allowed me to embrace it along with Christ and return to Joy. God has a plan for your discovery of weakness, too, so my prayers are with you in that!

There are so many ways that weakness is and can be embraced that I will have to break them down into topics for you, although they will overlap. Father Lefor gives us many practical things to grow, but remember that the steps, guidelines or whatever you call them WILL NOT in any way form your relationship with Christ. They will give you ways to build habits that will dispose you to Him, but your heart alone will take you to Our Lord.

Look for more to come...