The Inner Life
What is meant by “inner life?” Our inner life is our place of prayer. It is a space, or reality, in which God lives and labors. Our Catholic tradition holds that our inner life is as real as the physical world in which we move around.
It is an aspect of ourselves that deserves care and nurturing the same as our physical bodies. We can grow in our inner life as our inner life grows within us.
“The reign of God is within you”
The inner life is “the one thing necessary” referred to by Jesus when speaking with Martha and Mary about the reality of God wanting to simply just be with us. (Luke 10:38-42)
The name “Emmanuel,” literally means, “God with us.” As a new life forms within a mother, we may similarly experience a new beginning in our inner life as well. We may notice within our heart and soul that “something feels different,” and with this awareness a hunger to respond may arise deep within us.
The Life Within You Letters
I am so tiny and insignificant - like a mustard seed; Mom do you even know I am here? I can’t help but wonder if you know me the way I know you. I feel you surrounding me as your body creates this safe space for me, nourishes me, and removes things that are not good for me. You can’t quite recognize my face, but it’s forming. Just in the last few days I have noticed something feels different – since the beginning there's been this steady beat or rhythm that comes from you, but just in the last few days my body seems to have created its own unique beat.
As you look inward this Advent, what do you hope for in your relationship with God?