Share with the class the one outstanding quality you possess (don't be

modest :)!) that potentially makes you a good candidate for being a spiritual
director and/or directee. You may want to read the recommended Spiritual
Direction book by Gordon Smith (Chapters 7 & 8) as a good reference to this
prompt question.
Respond to and/or interact with at least 1-2 other posts.

Last Saturday, the aunt of my wife rushed into the hospital due to heart attack; we all worried especially
my wife. Sunday up to Monday, we were anxious. We cannot visit her because the auntie Chita is in ICU
that is limited visitor and we were worried we could attract COVID in the hospital, so we stayed home
and just pray and at three o clock in the morning, auntie Chita died (rest her soul in peace). We went to
my wife’s province and we just stayed for grieving. From Monday until yesterday, we were very busy
preparing for the wakes and funeral (that is the reason I am late for the entry, sorry for this) but still got
the energy to be with my wife. Auntie Chita is so dear to my wife. When she was a baby, her aunt
cradled her and all throughout her schooling years, auntie Chita is there to support by any means, so I
could really imagine the loss that my wife experiencing right now. My wife (having experience spiritual
direction also) know how to cope, and as a husband, I was just simply there, without any words. When
the funeral was over (yesterday) silence still, but a relief in my wife’s eyes. Later, when we go home to
our house, my wife said to me these words “Thank you love.” and I just smiled.

I am bringing this experience in this entry because it is profound to know or understand spiritual
direction in its effect in daily grind of life like this, grieving. Well for this experience, my subject is my
wife, and it is not formal spiritual direction but just using the ideals of spiritual direction in the process. I
guess, I am a double listener. I just love to listen, actively listening, just be present. Just be present to my
wife and nothing else. Even no words, I can sense the struggle, not just emotional struggle but faith
experience especially about death. Aside from double listening, well, I studied theology, and coming
across Christian spirituality, biblical exegesis, and sound theology, I can say this is my advantage. Yes
compassion of course, I serve ACCMA for almost 10 years doing retreats and recollections, I must say I
really love spiritual accompaniment. Well there are times I can be complacent, lazy, and unmotivated, of
course human as I am, but I thank God for sustaining me in spite of all.

In conclusion, everything is grace. These qualities are not an end for me, nor its for me, it is all for God
and to God, ad majorem Dei gloriam (for the greater glory of God), I am just an instrument of love.
Please pray for Auntie Chita.

The readings revealed to me how much Jesus love his ministry in depth. Jesus may manifest His love
through his action but more likely, in his internal disposition, it means internal love to His Heavenly
Father.