Cancer, repentance, and spiritual growth

... some news, a possible break, and some helpful resources

Spiritually I had an amazing Lent, which prepared me well to receive the news on Maundy Thursday that cancer has returned to my body. I had a number of writing projects planned in my head, which will now have to wait as I focus on my health for a little while. I am trying to finish off a couple of very interesting articles for Premier Christianity and Catholic News Agency. Otherwise, the posts on here might have a few short breaks as I recover, and they might take a more spiritual turn for a little while, as I avoid politics!

I thought I could share some of the resources that helped make my Lent really fruitful. At the end I felt a beautiful sense of God’s presence and love, so I’m very grateful. In essence, I experienced a deep and thorough repentance. This has been a gradual process over the past six months.

I have been meaning to write more about one of the biggest problems I think the West faces spiritually - self-centredness. It’s so ingrained into our culture through liberalism that we just think it’s normal - but reading old Christian classics, there are constant warnings about relying on ourselves, self-love, pride and lack of charity. Are we living life to please ourselves, or please God? There is a real danger that even ‘Christian’ life can be the former rather than the latter. Hopefully I’ll get chance to write on this soon - I really think it’s the most pressing problem of our age. The term ‘narcissism’ is over-used today, but I do think our culture is steeped in it, and that it is the antithesis of how Jesus taught us to live.

A couple of books I found interesting and challenging:

Photo by Chris Gallagher on Unsplash

Spiritual Combat by Lorenzo Scupolo: said to be one of the favourites of St Francis de Sales, which is why I bought it. It’s not compromising, which I generally find helpful. In a nutshell, what I drew from this book was to 1) examine myself for whether I am living my life, especially “religious” activities, for God or to suit myself 2) repent of this 3) acknowledge my sinfulness and helplessness without God’s grace, and 4) look to God and remember His goodness, love and mercy.

The warning: testimonies and prophecies of the illumination of conscience. This is a collection of testimonies of people who experienced powerful convictions of sin that led to changed and transformed lives. Some are Near Death Experiences.

The Golden Key to Paradise - ignore the title, there is a lot of helpful challenge in this little book about ‘true contrition’ which is available freely in many places. It’s from a Catholic context, so related to confession, but I think it would be helpful to all.

I have also been listening to some incredible music, including Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, and recordings of this lady’s angelic voice, which is especially suited to sing this gorgeous hymn:

God is good, and knowing him is the greatest privilege a human can have :)