TIPS TO REGAIN INTERIOR PEACE
At times, some people, even after having been forgiven in the Sacrament of Confession, are haunted by their past grave sins which perturb them and make them lose their interior peace. During these situations, one should examine himself if he has forgiven himself…yes, himself. For in some occasions, we are so hard on ourself forgetting that if God has forgiven us (assuming we have already confessed them), why can’t we forgive ourselves?
One could take advantage of these memories to say an act of sorrow, like, “Lord, have mercy on me! I’m sorry for all my past sins because they have offended Thee! Mother Mary, please help me!”
With this short prayer, one could easily turn the tide, converting the burden of these memories into prayer, and thus an occasion to grow closer to God through Our Lady.
At times, this lack of interior peace could also be caused by our own pride, perhaps thinking that how is it possible that we have gone so low. During these occasions, let us ask for the virtue of humility which makes us realize that all of us are capable of doing the worst things in life if not because of God has helped us with His grace. We should remember that what counts in spiritual life is not having fallen, but rather, if one has gotten up with a contrite and humble heart after a fall. As St. Josemaria wrote:
A Christian’s struggle must be unceasing, for interior life consists in beginning and beginning again. This prevents us from proudly thinking that we are perfect already. It is inevitable that we should meet difficulties on our way. If we did not come up against obstacles, we would not be creatures of flesh and blood. We will always have passions which pull us downwards; we will always have to defend ourselves against more or less self-defeating urges.“
We should not be surprised to find, in our body and soul, the needle of pride, sensuality, envy, laziness and the desire to dominate others. This is a fact of life, proven by our personal experience. It is the point of departure and the normal context for winning in this intimate sport, this race toward our Father’s house. St Paul says: “That is how I run, intent on winning; that is how I fight, not beating the air. I treat my body hard and make it obey me for, having preached to others, I do not want to be disqualified.” …
In this adventure of love we should not be depressed by our falls, not even by serious falls, if we go to God in the sacrament of penance contrite and resolved to improve. A Christian is not a neurotic collector of good behaviour reports. Jesus Christ our Lord was moved as much by Peter’s repentance after his fall as by John’s innocence and faithfulness. Jesus understands our weakness and draw us to himself on an inclined plane. He wants us to make an effort to climb a little each day. He seeks us out, just as he did the disciples of Emmaus, whom he went out to meet. He sought Thomas, showed himself to him and made him touch with his fingers the open wounds in his hands and side. Jesus Christ is always waiting for us to return to him; he knows our weakness.“
St. Josemaria, Christ is Passing By, 75.
Sanctity is to be found in struggling, in knowing that we have defects and in heroically trying to overcome them. Sanctity, I insist, consists in overcoming those defects… although we will still have defects when we die; because if not, as I have told you, we would become proud.“
St. Josemaria, Forge, 312.
The saints are those who struggle right to the end of their lives: those who always manage to get up each time they stumble, each time they fall, and courageously embark on their way once more with humility, love and hope.“
St. Josemaria, Forge, 186.
Hence, we must go forward and not entertain thoughts of discouragement in our journey towards God. We must foster the virtue of hope that God is bent on carrying out His Will in us as long as we allow and permit Him to work in us and we perseveringly correspond to His grace through daily interior struggle for love’s sake.
May the Most Holy Virgin, our Mother Mary, help us in our path towards holiness leading to the fullness of charity and divine filiation.
A great day ahead and God bless!
Fr. Rolly Arjonillo
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