The Catechetical Corner
"Spiritual Desolation Can Strengthen Us If We Listen To God" - Pope Francis
Looking upon an article in the Vatican News by Fr. Benedict Mayaki, SJ, on Pope Francis’ catechesis at the General Audience, as the Pope continued his cycle of reflections on the theme of discernment of which the topic was spiritual desolation and how it can strengthen us if we learn to listen to God, we come to understand how even in times of difficulty and challenge we can be strengthened in Spirit and Faith if we choose to confront these challenges, identify, and accept them.
In his article Fr. Benedict Mayaki mentions the various forms in which our spirituality can be affected through forms of desolation, sadness, and remorse, as stated by Pope Francis. If we allow those moments of hardship and uncertainty to overcome the clarity in which the Lord’s voice speaks to us in its various forms, they can become overwhelming.
The truth is that we will all face some type of turmoil in our lives in which we question our faith and beliefs. Situations that occur in which we are affected significantly in a personal and spiritual manner in which the nurturing support of others, even our loved ones, can seem far out of reach.
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