Every once in a while I retreat to the attic at home to retrieve something from the archive collection of items I have accumulated from the past. More often than not I find myself pondering on something that’s poignant to me while at other times I simply question how I have accumulated so much and my attempts at decluttering bring up a realm of emotions relating to the winding road of my journey of life. In these instances I try to acknowledge both the good and bad experiences of my past – thinking of how I have learned from mistakes I have made and bringing to mind the abundant blessings that my faith has transmitted in my life including growing my sense of contemplation, self-awareness and wisdom of heart.
One of the greatest things I’ve come to appreciate in striving to live out the Christian life is the Power of the Cross. Contemplating the human suffering of Christ and cultivating a sense of closeness with him in the midst of my own struggles and toils in life has helped me to be at peace and to nurture inner healing in my soul – especially at times when I’ve experienced suffering and rejection. Reading the Bible and receiving the healing Sacraments of Eucharist, Reconciliation and Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic Church have helped me encounter the boundless mercy, love and compassion of God and to forgive just as I have been forgiven, and gain true freedom of heart.
Throughout my journey I have learnt that while struggles are part of life, the most important thing is to keep the faith, to persevere, and to never give up. We live in a busy fast-paced culture today, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the tasks and responsibilities we have to undertake. It can be particularly hard to find time to slow down, and to take time to be still. One of the greatest nuggets of wisdom I have learned is the grace of spending time in the contemplative presence of God – in this space I can be at peace and converse with the Lord in prayer. I find that it is in silence that I can listen more attentively to hear the voice of God and pray for a renewed outpouring of the Holy Spirit in my life.
The wide and varied studies and work I have undertaken for the past twenty five years since I left secondary school has given me a deeper philosophical and theological understanding in relation to the meaning of life. Completing my Masters in Chaplaincy and Pastoral Work at Dublin City University from 2018-20 is probably the achievement I am most proud of – it was during a difficult period in my life which included the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was a great joy to emerge the other side of this, and, in poet Ciara Ní É’s words, composed specially for DCU graduates, “Return now to the world with a burning desire for living”.
I have never ceased to dream of more adventures in my life in the future. Pope Francis has said that “Dreams are important. They keep our view broad; they help us to embrace the horizon, to cultivate hope in every daily action.” While I realise my young adult life is firmly in the rear mirror now and that middle age will soon be approaching; I have faith and trust in God, confidence in my own abilities and the hope that there will be many more adventures to come. I have been wonderfully blessed through my faith and God has brought me on an amazing journey. I know that life is not always easy and there are challenges and uncertainties along the way, but faith gives us hope not only in this present life but in desiring eternal life as our ultimate happiness.
