We Need to Go 'All In' In the Spiritual Life
In this episode of On the Mark, we explore the concept of being "all in" and how it applies to both our spiritual and everyday lives. We begin by discussing the importance of prioritizing our spiritual journey and fully committing to the practices that bring us closer to God. Inspired by the podcast "10 Minutes with Jesus," we examine the small daily actions that can have a profound impact on our faith.
Notes
- In this episode, Peter and Mark discuss the necessity of prioritizing one's spiritual life and highlights the need for total commitment to achieve true fulfillment. It's about being fully invested in every endeavor we undertake.
- Peter recommends the podcast "10 Minutes with Jesus," which inspired today's theme of being "all in," the discussion delves into how small daily practices can profoundly impact our spiritual journey.
- The commitment of athletes to Olympic gold parallels the dedication required in spiritual and everyday life, the episode draws inspiring comparisons. This dedication is something we can all strive for.
- Peter & Mark talk about the idea of being "all in" as seen in both athletic and political arenas, the conversation emphasizes the need for complete commitment in one's pursuits. This principle applies universally, beyond just sports and politics.
- Peter recalls a story of Saint Teresa of Avila advising a noblewoman to fully commit to either being a noblewoman or a nun and stresses the importance of wholehearted dedication. This advice is timeless and relevant to all of us.
- Peter reflects on experiences with Opus Dei and balancing a demanding career with spiritual practices like daily Mass and prayer and talks about the challenges and rewards of living a balanced life.
- A prime example of being "all-in" is Saint Matthew, who left his prosperous business without hesitation to follow Jesus. Another example of total dedication can be seen in the story of Zacchaeus. While he eventually gave away his wealth to follow Jesus, his commitment to the Lord developed gradually over time "in stages."
- Everyone has a vocation and most people are called to pursue holiness in ordinary life through their secular jobs. However, we must be careful about going "all in" at work. This can easily lead to idolatry and a failure to live the first commandment. We end up losing before we even start.
- Idolizing work leads to the neglect of one's spiritual life. Prioritizing spiritual well-being is essential.
- We go through different stages on our faith journey and different challenges over the course of our lives. There’s a chapter in Romano Guardini‘s book “The Faith and Modern Man” called “Faith and Doubt in the Stages of Life” that Peter and Mark recommend everyone read.