i often encounter situations where i am too late to be of much help. One issue leads to another, and the situation escalates to the point where very little can be done anymore.
i think honesty and vulnerability is vital in our spiritual life. It is when we keep things hidden that they fester – it is when we are vulnerable to our companions on our spiritual journey that we can grow deeper and we can deal with the issues that we struggle with. The people around us keeps us honest.
i would like to share with you an article from Fr Mark E. Thiboeaux –
Keeping Things Secret
Posted on August 8, 2012 by dotMagis Editor in Discernment // 4 Comments
Ignatius warns against the false spirit’s trick of getting me to keep things secret from my mentors and companions. Common sense requires that I not tell everyone everything all the time. However, if my companions and mentors are well chosen and are trustworthy, there is virtually no reason to keep any part of my inner life secret from them. If I find myself doing so, chances are, the false spirit is afoot. When I am in desolation, I cannot trust my own judgment; I will need the objectivity and sensibility of the wise and loving people around me. Otherwise, I will be lost in my own private fog and will not even be aware of the fog’s existence. The spirit of desolation will attempt to leave me in this fog by keeping me from those who are standing outside it. I will convince myself that
He wouldn’t understand.
She’ll overreact.
We don’t have time to talk about it now.
It’s not that important anyhow.
It’s too embarrassing to mention.
He’ll be ashamed of me. It will disappoint him.
I need to work this out before I tell her about it.
I’ll deal with it later—it can wait.
It will resolve itself.
He’s too busy to be bothered with this.
She’s dealing with her own personal issues right now.
I know what she’ll say.
He’ll be hurt, angry, disappointed.
She’s too old fashioned, liberal, judgmental to understand.
—Mark E. Thibodeaux, SJ
God’s Voice Within
– See more at: http://www.ignatianspirituality.com/13930/keeping-things-secret#sthash.XCAXNiOE.dpuf