The First Step — Easter Week Five, May 6 to May 12, 2012

Have you “begun to begin” a life of planned, intentional spiritual growth? Did you take a minute to make up one “play” that you think is giving, or will give you, “forward motion” toward total knowledge and love of God?

What “play” would I suggest? This is a “first step” idea. It may look like a baby step. At least it is easy.

Say the WIT prayer all day long. Before you open your eyes in the morning, say, “Lord, I give you my body, as I did at Baptism. Live this day with me, live this day in me, live this day through me.”

That is the WIT prayer: W-ith, I-n, T-hrough.

If you like, you can add: “Let me think with your thoughts, speak with your words, and act as your body on earth.”

Keep saying it. Form the habit of saying the WIT prayer before everything you do, all day long, “Lord, do this with me, do this in me, do this through me.” Every time you go through a door, pick up a telephone, sit down at your desk or get up from it. Every time you put on your coat or start your car. Work at forming the habit. Use “gimmicks” to remind you until it is something you do automatically. Put a handkerchief on your doorknob or telephone. Program your watch to beep every hour. Make it your password. Attach a cross to your car keys. Do whatever works for you.

Say the WIT prayer all day long until it is embedded in your mind; until it is your underlying awareness in everything you do.

There it is: the resurrection. Jesus risen and continuing to live his life on earth in you. You risen with Christ and living now in a way that is both human and divine in everything you do, because by Baptism you have “become Christ.” If you keep saying this prayer you will grow into awareness of the mystery of your life, your true identity. You will say with St. Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” And you will become more constantly aware of the true mystery of your identity, the mystery of your existence, the mystery of your life as one who has received through Baptism the divine life of God.

This is — although the words may sound strange to you — an ongoing mystical experience.

And it is the first step to make if you want to grow into the “fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of love.” 

The ball is in your court. You can hit it back or just stand there and watch it go by. But if you are reading this, my guess is you will take a swipe at it.

Share the results with us. Tell us what you use to remind you to say the WIT prayer and how it has helped you.  Use the COMMENTS link below. We’re all in this together.