What is spirituality? Different people have different answers to this question. For me, spirituality is the fuel we need for our life-long journey to God, the Source and wellspring of life. It is about becoming conscious of and intentional about a deepening relationship with God. The purpose of spirituality is to give birth to a new self, a true self, an authentic self, and to nourish that new life in us. Two images come to me when I hear the word spirituality: fire and a spring of water.
It is fire that is experienced, at times, as restlessness. St. Augustine once said “Our hearts are restlessness until they rest in you.” It burns within us as it did to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus: “Were not our hearts burning (within us) while he spoke to us on the way and opened scriptures to us?” Do you remember a time in your life when you felt this fire burning within you? It is this fire that leads us to offer motivating and kind words to others in the hope of making this world a better place for everyone.
It is water that has a deep source within us. This water quenches our daily thirsts for peace, hope, forgiveness, and gives meaning to our daily life.
How does one nurture spirituality? Spending time in prayer, seeking spiritual direction, and having an awareness that God is present in all our events and activities. Developing good relationships with other people and with nature. Last but not least, reading books that inspire us.
—Anna Phiri, OSF