Part 1: What are you building, and for whom?

I have been reflecting on the different cultures we come across in the different spaces of our life. Simply observing the atmosphere in a community of people can reveal a lot:

Where is their main focus or purpose?

What is their motivation to live this way?

How do they speak to one another?

What is the general attitude of the space?

Do they act with integrity?

What are they building, and for whom?

We are all familiar with the concept of “immersion” and how the experience of fully and intentionally immersing yourself in a new environment can help you learn the language, customs, and culture of a community at a rapid rate. It seems that a natural tendency of the human experience is to adapt to our surroundings, for better or for worse.

In my experience, the “immersion” concept is also true in a spiritual way.

I would argue that the cultures of a space are created by what is rooted in the hearts, minds, and spirits of the people. And many spaces (even “faith-filled” spaces) are influenced through popular trends, current mindsets, and secular philosophies that lack the depth of a culture rooted in eternal Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.

Take a look around you. What are the cultures of the many different and overlapping spaces of your life? And how is being immersed in them shaping and forming you?

What are you building, and for whom?

In John 17:15-19 Jesus prays that we would live in the world but not of the world. St. John Paul II writes about a “spirituality of communion” that must be present before any “external structures of communion” can be built up, lest our communities serve very little purpose or become “mechanisms without a soul” (read the full quote on our website here). Without love that endures through all trials or seasons, any culture or community becomes empty or disordered. Before you do the work of building up a mission, or even the life inside your family home, it is essential to learn the basic principles of being in relationship with God and with your neighbor.

The root of culture: what do you worship?

Let’s presuppose that it is innate in the human person to fear, worship, and serve something beyond ourselves, and that we have the free will to choose what that is. The free will to make anything into an idol, and to “enthrone” it in our hearts. A few examples include: government and politics, our personal passions and dreams, our careers and achievements, our possessions and attachments, our comforts and preferences, technology and digital tools, our influence and power, our social acceptance and ego, or the One True God.

Whatever we choose to fear, worship, and serve will form the foundation of the cultures of our communities. This is because "culture," coming from the Latin “cultura” (meaning “cultivation”) grows from the seeds of communal worship, whether secular or Christian. Every culture worships something.

It is a matter of grace and deep intention to choose God again and again, day by day, moment by moment, breath by breath to be your foundation. Otherwise, we can easily slip back into choosing and following another lord.

Drawing from the two great commandments from Matthew 22:

“you shall love the Lord…with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,”

and

“you shall love your neighbor as yourself,”

let us explore the first step to building the cultures of your spaces and Spiritual Families into one that reflects living in the Kingdom of God.

Consecrating spaces in and around us

To consecrate something is to make or declare something sacred or holy…to be set aside for God and his purposes.

First, we can consecrate the spaces within us. If you want to grow in the protection, life, and grace of the Kingdom of God, pray for the grace to give your full surrender to him. This radical act of surrender consecrates the space within your being, allowing all of you to be set apart for the Lord: your choices, thoughts, feelings, relationships, activities, and health. These all belong to God, giving Him permission to share His love with you, and through you to others and the world.

Consider writing (or spontaneously praying) your own prayer of daily surrender to God, responding to what he is calling you in that moment to give over to him. This act of surrender and consecration will be unique to each person, but it could sound like:

“I surrender my whole self to you and choose you as the Lord of my life. With the help of your grace, I promise to follow you wherever you lead me today.”

Next, we have the choice to consecrate the spaces and communities around us. Let’s consider a few important examples: our homes, our work places, and our ministries. Each of these places are where we spend most of our time, enter into relationship, learn, develop our talents and virtues, and share the gift of ourselves. It doesn’t take much to consecrate these spaces, but it does require purpose and intention.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord,” Joshua 24:15

There are many resources out there to help you consecrate your homes and spaces of community to the Lord, but one of my favorite practices is the Surrender novena with the following intentions:

1. That this space may be dedicated to the Lord.

2. That His will be done in this place.

3. That all the members may grow and become who God wants them to be.

4. That all things will be done for God’s glory.

5. (if you feel called to a particular work) That we rightly discern his will and have the courage to accept and to follow his instructions.

After that, each day is an opportunity to recommit your life and spiritual family with a morning offering.

My personal offering is A Prayer to the Holy Spirit (by Cardinal Mercier)

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore You.

Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me.

Tell me what I should do; give me Your orders.

I promise to submit myself to all that You desire of me

and to accept all that You permit to happen to me.

Let me only know Your Will.

Our family’s daily offering happens in the car on the way to school with an Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and prayer intentions.

Before meetings or ministry gatherings, each community should have a unique prayer of offering that reflects the purpose of the gathering.

The specific practices and prayers will vary according to your circumstances, your season in life, and your spirituality –and that’s what’s so beautiful! But anyone can begin a conversation with “Come Holy Spirit” and an activity or task with “For you, Jesus,” and end with a simple “Glory Be.”

A sneak peek

Now you’ve learned the importance of consecrating yourself and your daily spaces to God. And you can hope with joyful expectation that he will reward that surrender with the fullness and vibrance of strong communities and peaceful homes.

In part two of this article series, we’ll explain the six foundational principles of building a thriving spiritual culture in your homes and Spiritual Families:

1. Right speech

2. Gratitude

3. Honor

4. Reliability & kindness

5. Repairing relationships

6. Family & celebration

These are just some guiding lights that can help, in a practical way, to form the cultures of your consecrated spaces into communities that grow strong, are long-lasting, and uniquely serve and worship the One True God. These principles also help those who are immersed in these spaces to be formed into better, more beautiful versions of themselves, simply by existing in your community.

What are you building, and for whom? Have you consecrated yourself and your communities to God today?

Let us know the answer to that question in the comments! If you’d like to read more about John Paul II’s “spirituality of communion” or the official spirituality behind Our Spiritual Family, visit our website. There you can read about the 4 Core Elements of a Spiritual Family and the 10 Pillars of Gospel Living.

Our Spiritual Family Spirituality

Or you can read more about our 7-Step Methodology for establishing a Spiritual Family, inspired by our Marian Model for Community.

Our Spiritual Family Methodology