“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits”
The reading from Psalm 103 distills the theme of the Lord’s patience and continued mercy toward us.
We can face many discouraging obstacles in the spiritual life, and it is important to identify them in order to deal with them appropriately. God is patient and merciful towards us, but as the Gospel reminds us, that patience is ordered toward our conversion and growth.
Perfectionism is one obstacle in the spiritual life. But doesn’t Jesus exhort us to perfection in Matthew 5:48? Yes, but what he commands of us is completion, being “all in” for God, which is not perfection on our terms. Engaging in perfectionism makes spiritual development a personal pursuit defined by my own parameters, making me the arbiter of my own success or failure. And it is inevitably failure, which is why perfectionism leads to discouragement and despair.
Comfort is another obstacle. Pursuing comfort in relationship with God (or any relationship) entails taking for granted that I don’t need to grow or change, processes that are almost always uncomfortable. If prayer is comfortable, I can be sure that it isn’t effective, any more than a friendship that never challenges me. It is by definition one-sided and insulated from genuine encounter that shows my flaws and weaknesses, those areas where I need to be challenged. Discomfort is very often an impetus to grow and change, so don’t ignore it.
Malnourishment can be an obstacle. Like the fig tree in the Gospel, we need to be fed. Spiritual food has many forms: prayer and the works of mercy, meditation on the Scriptures, study of the faith, spiritual reading and good media. So much media today is spiritual junk food: it titillates and entices but once consumed leaves you feeling awful and empty. If you experience this, it is time to find a diet program that gives you the spiritual nourishment you need.
The practice of discernment helps us to identify personal obstacles and respond appropriately. Starting with the truth that God loves you and wants your happiness even more than you do, take the time for an honest look at yourself, using the time God has given you to let go of the old self and grow to bear good fruit.
-Fr. Nate
