Rest in the Word

“Dedicate your time and effort, even your rest, to the Gospel. Do not be afraid that this is lost time, that you will not rest. This is exactly when you will rest the most, because man must rest with his whole being, both physical and spiritual, so that he may rest in truth and return having found himself” – Pope St, John Paul II

It is said that Pope John Paul II worked tireless 16-20 hour days. And, that even when on vacation he was found always to be praying or studying – if not, he felt he was wasting his time.

I can’t imagine how many hours of my life I’ve wasted watching television or on social media. Before we moved from our home to the apartment then ultimately into our RV, I would spend most of my nights sitting in front of the TV watching hockey or a show. My Sundays weren’t God’s outside of morning Mass but were devoted to the football ‘gods’. I would complain to myself and in Reconciliation that I wasn’t praying enough or reading my Bible. Of course, I was watch TV.

When Patrick and Joy prophesied God would pull us from our life that our lives would be centered upon Him, Connie and I, I couldn’t imagine how things would change.

First, the new apartment we didn’t continue cable at all. Then, COVID and our ‘forced’ retreat. In these days, I started to develop a love of the Bible. I would sit on our balcony and read and reflect upon the Word. This is also when I realized my Gift of the Holy Spirit of prophesy. A gift of ‘hearing’ God in His Word or in prayer – mostly in my heart but at times also audibly or in vision.

Then, the RV came about. My desire for the Bible and prayer and just silence in God grew. Each night I used to spend on TV, now is nearly full devoted to the Bible, spiritual reading and prayer. When the TV comes on, most times it is spiritual in nature – FORMED saint movies, Divine Mercy app or YouTube etc, ‘going to’ Adoration in Niepuokanow on YouTube etc

Know what? I feel more joy and peace then ever. I find more deep reflection in the Bible, my journal, the Rosary and Chaplet of Divine Mercy and St. Michael. I enjoy sharing reflections on The Road of Faith (not sure if they’re being read or matter – but they do to me).

So, this has been the long way around to saying, stay busy. Cut ties to the world and tie yourself to God – maybe I should say ‘yoke yourself to God.’ Idle hands are the playground of the enemy. Do you have housework or family commitments? Simply offer them to the glory of God.

Cut the cable beast and football or hockey or water that has no value in Heaven or helps you along your Road of Faith on earth.