In constant conversation with God

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

“CAN the blind lead the blind?” Christ asked. (Lk 6,36) Obviously not. Sooner or later, both would fall into a ditch. We may find many ways of how to deal with this predicament, since it cannot be denied that one way or another, in one form or another, we all have a certain blindness since we cannot see, much less, understand everything.

In the sensible and natural level alone of our life, yes, we can know a lot, but still our knowledge would not be that complete and definitive. It would always undergo some development and evolution. This is not to mention the spiritual and supernatural realities where most of the times we would be at a loss.

I have actually seen a number of times two blind men walking together, one leading the other with a white cane on hand, and perhaps a guide dog as company, and managed to reach a short destination. But definitely their mobility is very limited.

On another level, we can have all sorts of sciences, philosophies, ideologies, skills and technologies that can greatly help us to navigate the vast oceans of our life in this world. Indeed, with them we can get to know a lot and to accomplish many great things. Still, they cannot penetrate the spiritual and supernatural world.

What is needed is to have faith which, first of all, is actually given to us by our Creator. All we have to do is to correspond to it in the best way we can. With our intelligence and will and the other faculties we have, we are actually equipped to precisely receive that faith and to act accordingly.

And this means that without neglecting our natural ways of knowing, we need to always have a conversation with God who, as our Creator and Father, is always with us not only in some passive way but rather in a very active way, since he continues not only to maintain our existence but also to intervene in our lives, inspiring us and prompting us as to what to think, say and do all the time.

These constant interventions of God in our life are what is known as his providence over all his creation, especially over us, since we are made stewards of his creation. We therefore need to train ourselves in corresponding to God’s providence. And this is where we really need to know how to have a constant conversation with God.

We have to learn to overcome first our initial awkwardness and disbelief with respect to our relation with God. With humility and meekness, we can manage to do that and to open ourselves to God’s interventions. We can learn to perceive and discern his promptings which we can hear in our consciences.

But for this, we need to study the basic doctrines of our faith which already have been authoritatively put up and taught by the Church, and to start to develop a life of practical and effective piety where we train our heart and mind and all the other powers we have to be receptive to God’s will for us.

Thus, we need to study the Word of God which, as the Letter of the Hebrews describes, is “living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit…” (4,12)

As to how to converse with God, I suggest to meditate on the Psalms, which St. Ambrose described as a “gymnasium for the soul,” a place for spiritual training and growth, teaching us how to pray, communicate with God, and cultivate fellowship with God and others. They also are a source of comfort and inspiration.

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com