Posted on by tshultz

Spiritual Coffee

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This morning, as I stood in my lava water shower, I found myself thinking about how tired I was of being home. As an introvert, recharging at home is my jam. I enjoy being home and I enjoy being alone a good part of my day. Still, it’s been 93 days since I started social distancing and working from home (not that I’m counting…) and I am finally really missing people. 

Last weekend, I went out to lunch with a friend, and as we began wiping down our patio chairs and tables with the Clorox wipes we had brought with us, I struggled not to say hello with a hug. Then, as we repeated the same process before leaving, we both went in for a hug and stopped ourselves. Although we knew it was the smart and safe thing to do, we both felt a slight sadness. 

This kind of shocked me because that first experience of going out into the world and participating in what used to be totally normally dining was exactly what I used to shy away from. Now, I was craving it and embracing it — from 6 feet apart, of course. As much as COVID has taken away from me, it’s also given me a new appreciation and yearning for friendship and exploring the world outside my four walls. 

I think our spiritual life needs this kind of reminder and re-awakening too. When we fall into comfortable routines and begin to take our relationship with God for granted, we need a spiritual coffee to wake us up. That’s why when my friend reached out to me and asked if I wanted to do an 11-week Catholic book group with her, I said yes before even asking about the book’s title. Within a couple of hours, I had purchased the Walking with Purpose book and paid for rapid shipping. 

It’s these kinds of opportunities that we should jump at, especially in these times of social distancing. It’s the perfect way to ease yourself back into your community of faith as churches begin to reopen. The best part is that there are so many self-guided or templated ways to have a Catholic book study/group, so you won’t have to wait for your parish to get it started. Then, once you’re comfortable with book studies/groups, try hosting an open one with your parish. 

Like so many others that get tired in their faith, we just drink the spiritual coffee (not the Kool-Aid) and reinvigorate ourselves with the excitement of faith through friendship and connection. 

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Veronica Alvarado is a born and raised Texan currently living in Michigan. Since graduating from Texas A&M University, Veronica has published various articles in the Catholic Diocese of Austin’s official newspaper, the Catholic Spirit, and other local publications. She now works as the Content Specialist in Diocesan’s Web Department.

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