“Those who perceive in themselves this kind of divine spark which is the artistic vocation—as poet, writer, sculptor, architect, musician, actor and so on—feel at the same time the obligation not to waste this talent but to develop it, in order to put it at the service of their neighbor and of humanity as a whole.”
Letter to Artists, 3
John 20:19-23
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side.
The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”
And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.”
Enthused by Beauty | Peace
Reflection by Tara Wright
The word ‘enthusiasm’ finds its origin in the Greek enthousiazein, which means to ‘be inspired or possessed by a god.’ More than just an attitude of eagerness or interest, to be enthused by beauty means to do, to act, to live in service of beauty. When we’re enthused by beauty, we’re compelled to act. And when we act with this enthusiasm, we experience a sense of peace, because we’re aligning ourselves with God’s will.
Sometimes we might struggle with properly orienting ourselves toward what God wants for us. Maybe we’re doing work, but not the right work. Or perhaps we fail to acknowledge and nurture our gifts, wasting them instead.
This week, we will focus on discerning God’s will for our lives, and on actively participating in His plan for us. We’ll concentrate on developing our God-given talents and finding ways to share them with others.
A New Beginning
We’re in the final week of our Stirred to Wonder journey. And though this may be the ‘final’ posture in the series, it’s really only a beginning.
The Gospel so wonderfully illustrates this: the disciples, huddled in the Upper Room, had been living in relationship with Jesus, Beauty Incarnate, for three years. They’d been active in ministry alongside Him. They’d learned from him, laughed with him, they were constantly awestruck by him. They had the incredible privilege to know him, to touch him, to encounter him daily.
Now they’re up in this room, frozen with fear and so, so sad.
But in His mercy, Christ doesn’t let them stay in that place of sorrow for long. He comes back —from the dead! — and instructs them to continue living in His presence. He moves them back into action, and urges them to continue to minister, teach, and heal. He wants us to move, too.
Imagine you’re in that room with the disciples, and Christ commissions you. Now enthused, you must leave the room. As you unlock the door and turn the handle, you ask yourself, “Where am I going? What do I need to leave behind?”
This exit is what it’s all about. This is what God has prepared our hearts over the last eight weeks. We get to go! Where will you go? What will you do? If you feel intimidated or unsure, that’s okay! Remember that when Christ tells the disciples, “I send you,” His words are preceded by, “Peace be with you.” When we do the work that Christ calls us to, there’s a promise of peace and contentment. His presence, through the person of the Holy Spirit, remains with us.
Tuning into the peace of the Holy Spirit is such an important part of staying on the right path. Other things can help, too.
First, we can invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts and ask Him for guidance. Where are we supposed to move? What actions should we take? Take advantage of the sacraments as often as you can. Sometimes we forget that we have the same privilege the disciples had. We, too, can encounter and receive Him daily in the Eucharist and in Adoration. When we spend time in His presence, we will hear His call.
Next, we can acknowledge our gifts, and develop them by using them! Examine your skills and take stock of your natural talents. What brings you joy and peace? What do others often notice and compliment? Then, find ways to improve your skills and use them to serve others.
For example, if you are good at listening to or comforting others, offer a listening ear to a friend in need. If you enjoy playing music or making art, practice daily! If you have a knack for bringing out the best in others, don’t be shy with your words of affirmation and encouragement.
The Holy Spirit’s movements will look different for everyone. The Lord has a unique plan for you. As we urged you at the very beginning of this journey: Trust his calling for you and lean into it. Dive into that endless ocean of Beauty.
“Be who you were meant to be, and you will set the world on fire.”
St. Catherine of Siena
Daily Living:
Come, Holy Spirit. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide and move you to where He wants. How have you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you in the past? How did you know it was Him?
A Heart Enthused. You have received such beauty into your soul, and now it’s your time to share! At last, you are able to overflow into others. What does your heart feel the need to do next?
Develop. Saint Pope John Paul II invites us not to waste our talents, but to develop them. Talents can come in many shapes and forms. What talent are you being called to develop? What is the first step in developing it?
Be filled with peace. When we do as the Lord asks, we sense the flowing undercurrent of His peace. We may encounter trials and frustrations, but beneath it all, the Lord will provide peace. Describe a time when, on the surface, everything seemed to be working against you, but you were filled with God’s peace in knowing you were doing the right thing.
UP NEXT: Week 8: Daily Flow
