How do we "make room" for God?

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MariaChristi

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,

My last two threads on CAF have been excerpts from an article entitled "MARY AND THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE WRITINGS OF JOHN OF THE CROSS", by Emmanuel J. Sullivan, O.C.D.

This morning, I was re-reading this part of the article:
John is constantly urging us to make room within ourselves for God, to empty ourselves, that God may live and act in and through each one of us. Mary is ever present in John’s thoughts. She more than anyone else exemplifies that self-emptiness within that calls forth the very fullness of God’s self-communication, presence and love. For John, it is Mary who teaches us what constant intimate union with God means. It is Mary who shows us how to be responsive to the work of the Holy Spirit molding us in the image of her Son. And it is Mary who teaches us how to pray, and who helps us to learn and grow spiritually from our sufferings, so that we might more readily respond to and ease the sufferings of others.
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I remembered (as perhaps others did) the short poem of St. John of the Cross, in which he depicts for us the scene in Bethlehem when there was “no room”:
The Wayfaring Virgin
Word in her womb
comes walking your way -
Haven’t you room for your virgin and Mother?
Haven’t you room?
When Bethlehem’s coldness
bids her depart
O say to the Virgin:
Come to my heart
with your heavenly burden
Come to my heart. – St. John of the Cross
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It is clearer and clearer to me that we begin to “make room” when we welcome Mary into our lives, for she always brings Jesus. The Holy Spirit and Mary are likewise inseparable for it is by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was conceived in her. When we welcome Mary, Jesus comes to us more fully and so does the Holy Spirit. The saints made more room by emptying themselves of whatever prevented that welcome - it seems to me.
 
Greetings in the Love of our God Jesus Christ.

First of all thanks for your post. It has deep mystical things.

For the question… “How do we make room for God?”
By simply letting our God in. I think that it could not get any simpler than this.

I remember reading one from our St. Francis De Sales…

If a house is on fire, they throw everything out the window. As soon as a heart is inflamed with the love of God it seeks to divest itself of everything earthly so as to love nothing but God

Wishes
 
sepgs2004 said:
Greetings in the Love of our God Jesus Christ.

First of all thanks for your post. It has deep mystical things.

For the question… “How do we make room for God?”
By simply letting our God in. I think that it could not get any simpler than this.

I remember reading one from our St. Francis De Sales…

If a house is on fire, they throw everything out the window. As soon as a heart is inflamed with the love of God it seeks to divest itself of everything earthly so as to love nothing but God

Wishes
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Dear septs,

Thanks for your reply. “Deep mystical things” is an accurate way of describing St. John of the Cross’ writing, but the more one prays and continues to read his work, I believe, the more one begins to hear the Truth in what he shares about the spiritual life.

“Letting God in” is a good first step, but sometimes we invite Him into a place that is already full – as your quote from St. Francis de Sales describes – a house which needed to get rid of the furniture. Once we turn toward God, with a sincere and humble heart, He will help us to discern what we need to rid ourselves of in order to make room for Him.

Pope Francis has given several homilies encouraging the Church – clergy and people – to beware of the worldliness in which many of us have been engaged. We need to pray to the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom to see those things which keep us from giving God more room. Please let us pray for one another, for the Church and for all those in most need of His Mercy.
 
I think every decision you make, either directly or indirectly, is a choice between love of self- putting oneself first - and love of God and neighbor. All saints, with the grace of God, succeeded in conquering self and put others first ie. God’s will.
 
We must share every aspect of our lives, the good, the bad, and the ugly, with God.
 
oppositeman said:
I think every decision you make, either directly or indirectly, is a choice between love of self- putting oneself first - and love of God and neighbor. All saints, with the grace of God, succeeded in conquering self and put others first ie. God’s will.
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Dear oppositeman,

Thanks of your reply. I agree that the major battle is often between choosing our own will or choosing God’s will. The difficulty often is in the discernment of what God’s will is for an individual. That is why the Lord Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit: to bring us into His complete Truth. (John 16:13)

The Saints knew so well how dependent we are on God’s Grace. We on the other hand, are not always so wise. May they continue to intercede for us with Jesus and Mary so that we may learn to love God and neighbor truly, fully giving ourselves as they did. The selfless person has plenty of room for God and others! 🙂 The selfish person on the other hand never has enough room for anyone but self.
 
MariaChristi said:
Dear Mystical Seeker,

Thanks for your reply. Would you like to share exactly which part of “this” especially blessed you? I’d appreciate reading more of God’s work in your life.
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MariaChristi said:
It is clearer and clearer to me that we begin to “make room” when we welcome Mary into our lives, for she always brings Jesus. The Holy Spirit and Mary are likewise inseparable for it is by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit that Jesus was conceived in her. When we welcome Mary, Jesus comes to us more fully and so does the Holy Spirit. The saints made more room by emptying themselves of whatever prevented that welcome - it seems to me.
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I’m not really sure now what part of it struck me. It might have been this part I bolded about emptying themselves to make room. Mary is the symbol of “receptivity” and we can learn to be the same.

Contemplative prayer has done wonders for me, at emptying my “false self” of ego and pride and opened my mind and heart to the action of the Holy Spirit.
 
T.A.Stobie_SFO said:
We must share every aspect of our lives, the good, the bad, and the ugly, with God.
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Dear T.A. Stobie,

Thanks for your reply. Surely, to share everything with the Lord is a good way to let go of ourselves. I believe God wants us to share everything so that He can show us the differences between His Truth and our errors. If we think we are always “right” we are in big trouble – not only with God – but also with all our brothers and sisters! Being humble and open in our relationship with God can lead us to far better relationships with others. We really need to seek pleasing Him first, then everything else will fall into proper perspective.

Someone recently shared this thought with me: “There is nothing so irresistible as true humility”. It made me think of our Blessed Mother, who after Jesus is the most humble of God’s Children. She tells us: “He looks on His servant in her lowliness”. So may He look upon us.
 
MariaChristi said:
Dear oppositeman,

Thanks of your reply. I agree that the major battle is often between choosing our own will or choosing God’s will. The difficulty often is in the discernment of what God’s will is for an individual. That is why the Lord Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit: to bring us into His complete Truth. (John 16:13)

The Saints knew so well how dependent we are on God’s Grace. We on the other hand, are not always so wise. May they continue to intercede for us with Jesus and Mary so that we may learn to love God and neighbor truly, fully giving ourselves as they did. The selfless person has plenty of room for God and others! 🙂 The selfish person on the other hand never has enough room for anyone but self.
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the problem of discerning God’s will can be easily solved - however very few are willing to do it - and it is to surrender your free will to God and then you will always do God’s will. However, I have found out that He will not allow you to do it perfectly so you don’t develop spiritual pride. What happens with me on occasion is that I will do something that I think is God’s will but He will not let me go very far and brings me back to what He had in mind. But anyway surrendering your will is a sure way of removing self from any consideration.
 
Mystical_Seeker said:
I’m not really sure now what part of it struck me. It might have been this part I bolded about emptying themselves to make room. Mary is the symbol of “receptivity” and we can learn to be the same.

Contemplative prayer has done wonders for me, at emptying my “false self” of ego and pride and opened my mind and heart to the action of the Holy Spirit.
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Dear Mystical Seeker,

Thanks so much for enlarging a bit on your first reply. Yes, in order to make room for God Who is absolute Truth, there needs to be a willingness on our part to empty ourselves of what is false – especially hypocrisy. St. Francis of Assisi said “I am what I am before God – no more and no less”. Ah, the wisdom of the saints.

Continual dependence on the Holy Spirit helps us recognize the beauty of God’s call to share in His holiness. Grace, the participation in His Life, needs to grow in us, by the power of His Holy Spirit. Yes, Mary is both Mother and Model for the Church; her “Yes” by grace becomes ours.
 
oppositeman said:
the problem of discerning God’s will can be easily solved - however very few are willing to do it - and it is to surrender your free will to God and then you will always do God’s will. However, I have found out that He will not allow you to do it perfectly so you don’t develop spiritual pride. What happens with me on occasion is that I will do something that I think is God’s will but He will not let me go very far and brings me back to what He had in mind. But anyway surrendering your will is a sure way of removing self from any consideration.
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Thanks again, oppositeman,

Truly we need the Holy Spirit to guide us into God’s complete Truth. Daily giving ourselves to the Lord in self-surrender is a grace we can ask for and receive moment by moment.

Perhaps, especially in those times when by God’s Grace we see an error we’ve made – we need the meekness of Christ to admit we made an error and then correct the course we’re on. God is Good and we become more grateful for His Mercy. It has been said that saints are not ones who never fell but they are ones who ket getting up! 🙂
 
MariaChristi said:
Thanks again, oppositeman,

Truly we need the Holy Spirit to guide us into God’s complete Truth. Daily giving ourselves to the Lord in self-surrender is a grace we can ask for and receive moment by moment.

Perhaps, especially in those times when by God’s Grace we see an error we’ve made – we need the meekness of Christ to admit we made an error and then correct the course we’re on. God is Good and we become more grateful for His Mercy. It has been said that saints are not ones who never fell but they are ones who ket getting up! 🙂
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as long as you retain your free will you will always have that as a strong force to deal with when discerning God’s will - I don’t have to discern God’s will because I have nothing in my mind, heart, or souls that is at odds with it - giving God your free will is the greatest gift you can give Him and anyone who doesn’t believe that can ask a priest. It is a persons most prized possession.
 
oppositeman said:
as long as you retain your free will you will always have that as a strong force to deal with when discerning God’s will - I don’t have to discern God’s will because I have nothing in my mind, heart, or souls that is at odds with it - giving God your free will is the greatest gift you can give Him and anyone who doesn’t believe that can ask a priest. It is a persons most prized possession.
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Dear oppositeman,

Yes, our fee will is a great gift from God which enables us to choose Him freely. We need to humbly admit however that we (like St. Peter) can deny Christ in a moment after boasting we will never deny Him. Let us continue to pray for the grace of final perseverance that we may remain in His Love to the end. By His grace, may we choose to surrender our will to His Will, always! With Christ, let us pray, to our Father, "Thy Will not mine be done! "
 
Robert_Sock said:
leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imitation.html

Following* The Imitation of Christ *allows me to make plenty of room for God. Following this book will provide you with a sturdy foundation for Contemplative Prayer.
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Dear Robert,

Thanks much for the link and the reminder to all of the value in reading the "Imitation of Christ". Hopefully a modern translation will encourage more readers. It is a classic spiritual work which can be, as the link suggests, “second only to Bible” as a guide and inspiration.
 
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