Sickness of the soul

[mnealon1]

My spiritual director told me I suffered from sickness of the soul. He had to leave quickly and did not get to explain to me what it meant and I will not see him for two weeks. Could some please explain to me what he meant by that.

Thank you
God Bless

 

[prstoessel]

I might consider a new spiritual director. Certainly does not seem to be a very pastoral to say something like that and not take the proper time to explain it.

No one here can explain what he meant, of course. But let’s just say that to a broad degree, that all of us suffer from that due to sin. Any time we turn away from God, we get “sick”.

Going to confession, changing our ways, practicing virtue, etc. are the means to get better. The soul is what animates the body. The body is the manifestation of the soul. If the body is doing disordered and sinful acts, the soul suffers too.

Go to a priest. Make a good confession. Have him counsel you on what life-changes you need to make to stay in grace. Weekly confessions are a good start to this process because it keeps the practice of virtue in the forefront of the mind.

Pray as often as you possibly can. Pray for Mary’s intercession to send the graces you need to get better. Even if you only stop momentarily throughout the day and think the name of Jesus in your mind, you will be better.

 

[curtish1947]

Wow,
I am deeply sadened by your treatment.

 

[pomegranate]

Perhaps you can bring it to his attention how this last meeting made you feel/think and ask to clarify if what you understood is what actually he meant to say. Maybe he was preoccupied with a different matter right before seeing you (in other words, he was not prepared to see anyone {not just you}, and it reflected by him leaving (what appears) abruptly). In the meantime, praying for him could be of benefit.

I agree, we are all in need of spiritual growth. A short while ago here at the Forum, I had asked for guidance from a priest. Twice. …He did not reply. Although I still do not know why, I offered it to God. (Maybe he is too busy?)…at any rate, I will pray for you and your current situation, and for your spiritual counselor (whoever he may be). God bless

 

[curtish1947]

Hi again.
Sometimes when you have been injured, by someone, it is God’s way of telling you that there is something for you to learn. Romans 14:4. Roughly says you are the servant of God, and it is He who determines your course, and what you are to do for Him.
If I were your spiritual director, I would try to find out what God’s Will was for you. I would of course want to know what was transpiring in your life and why you were seeing me. I imagine, and I am imagining, that the next step would be for me to merely explain to you what I had understood you to say.
My spiritual director did this. One day he merely explained to me, what I was going through:
“” I had a casual conversation. I said I had an issue now where time was no longer monitored by me second by second. I was unaware of how much time passed in conversations, or how much time did not pass. I was simply unaware now, where previous to this I was totally aware, even to know always what time of day it was in minutes past the hour. He asked me how long this had been occurring. I told him. He said, the reason for this is that God wants to be in charge. I thanked him, this priest, this elderly priest, for helping me. I did not look for spiritual direction that day. He gave it to me anyway. He was pleased. I saw this.""
Is that the kind of spiritual direction you have had???

 

[curtish1947]

Hi
As I ramble. I think. I remember how I started. I remember how after years and years of work, I ran across a passage. I remember how now, I knew what this meant. I knew because of ““The previous work God, had caused me to do.””

Now, why did I say that? I said it because at that point in time I needed to know that the years and years of work that I had done, was in fact caused by God, not I. That information was in The Bible.
(((The Bible IS in my experience. IS refers to it is true where it says it is true. It is false, like in Job’s friend’s words, where God says what they said about Him is not right. Also it says whatever the Devil says, there, is not to be believed. There is much about God. What God says about Himself is true. Jesus says He is written about in Psalms, Prophets, and all the books that Moses wrote. Those words are true.)))
I remember each primitive state I was in and how, following all the aids the Catholic Church had given me, helped. However there was looking back much personal guidance. At each state of my knowledge of God, there was someone or something that caused me to learn a truth.
One truth came and was verified by earlier work. That truth came from my incorrect contention that The very first few paragraphs of Vatican II were wrong. This is not about me though, it is about you. Why do you care what this man said? I hope you answer, because God is too important to you to get wrong.
Sorry, I did not have another way to give this to you. If, not prompted by me, that is truly your answer then do what these other folks have said. Pray, still. God will solve this for you.

 

[mnealon1]

Thank you for all your very prompt and helpful replies. I have been seeing my spiritual director for some time and as Pomegranate points out he was in a hurry on my last visit to see a group of other people ,but as this particular remark was nearly the last thing he said to me I was quite alarmed, since I have made a General confession, attend Mass every Sunday and sometimes during the week, say the Rosary every day, Divine Mercy, and other prayers,
think of Jesus and Mary many times during the day so I think this remark made me fearful.
I also do the First Fridays and Saturdays.
At the time of the remark we had been discussing Adoration and how I found it hard to connect and he was helping me with this, since I think receiving the Eucharist so wonderful.and was wondering why Adoration was different for me.
I shall ask him to explain exactly what he meant in two weeks time.
Thank you for your insights and anyone who has any other reflections, please share with me.
Thank you
God Bless