This series, which will span several weeks, is a recounting of “Wisdom from Walburga” from the mind and heart of Mother Maria-Michael, O.S.B., abbess of the Abbey of St. Walburga, in answer to some of the foundational questions and concerns of countless Catholics on the road to Heaven.
Charity: the key to the Christian life
How do we pray better? How can we hear the voice of the Lord? How do we know we’re following the Lord?
The answer is simple, Mother Maria-Michael said. Charity is the key.
“I think when we pray, we look for God’s voice, and we start looking for him to guide us, and by doing that, we shall be following Christ. When you have a relationship that has grown into love, you’re very quick to hear the voice. You’re very quick to hear the whisper,” she said.
Charity, that is, intimacy with the Trinity, is the key to hearing God’s voice. As we come to know and love him more and more deeply, we come to recognize his voice. The Lord himself tells us as much in the Gospels: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me” (Jn 10:27).
That said, it is not always easy to hear God’s voice amid the world’s noise and the evil one’s temptations. But for those who know and love God, Mother said, his voice sounds different and has a different effect; you can tell based on the fruit.
“All you have to do is look at the fruit,” Mother continued. “Is it the Scripture? Is it what God would be asking? He asks us to sacrifice. He asks us to love. How much are you willing to help others? Where is your charity? You know, charity is the test. Can you stop what you’re doing and help somebody? Even if it’s very important, even if you’re right in the middle of something and somebody comes up. Can you do it?”
In some sense, charity is the litmus test of our relationship with God. St. John says as much in his first letter: “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen” (1 Jn 4:20).
Thus, the Wisdom from Walburga echoes St. Teresa of Avila’s own: “Christ has no hands, no feet on earth but yours…” Those of us in the world seeking to come to know God more deeply, to hear his voice more clearly, are called to grow in love for him through loving surrender and fervent prayer. And, of course, as we draw ever closer to the Trinity in intimacy, we must draw near to our brothers and sisters in loving service.
+++
For opportunities to serve others in the local community, visit https://ccdenver.org/volunteer/.
Comments