I've been wrestling with a couple of spiritual matters over the past few days. I could hardly sleep last night, I was in such a combination of both happy spiritual excitement and uncertainty, simultaneously.

Still in the midst of this, I finally decided to crack open the PDF of Pope Leo's encyclical, and right there on page six he had the exact two pieces of scripture I needed!

I realized that I'd been trying to build a Tower of Babel, so-to-speak, when what I should be doing is rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, with everyone. In light of this, I wrote up my concerns and sent them to my Spiritual Director for advice.

One of the things I am struggling with is how, in the presence of other people, to let my guard down so I can enter into deep communion with the Holy Spirit, and with them. The irony is that I was trying to "go it alone" in my discernment regarding this matter!

Letting my guard down... it may be the greatest struggle in my continued human formation that I will face over the coming months and years. I've healed a lot over the past couple of years, but there are still old wounds keeping me from fully connecting in social situations.

I hope everything is going wonderfully for all of you. Know that you are in my prayers!