Spirituality Of Social Transformation

SPIRITUALITY OF SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION

s i t a ? h Y W ALIT U T I R I P S

“refers to any religious or ethical value i.e. concretized as an attitude or spirit from which one’s action flow” DEFINITION OF SPIRITUALITY

SPIRITUALITY

FAITH

ACTION

signifies a certain kind of unity

aith without good works is de For Better Understanding…

. ZEN SPIRITUALITY

- a major school of Buddhism originating in 12th century China that emphasizes enlightenment through meditation and insight

. BUDDHISM SPIRITUALITY - a world religion or philosophy based on the teaching of the Buddha and holding that a state of enlightenment can be attained by suppressing worldly desires

. JEWISH SPIRITUALITY - related to the practices of Judaism - belonging or relating to a people descended from the ancient Hebrews or the Jews

. MUSLIM SPIRITUALITY - somebody who believes in and practises Islam

. CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY - somebody who believes that Jesus Christ was sent to the world by God to save humanity, and who tries to follow his teachings and example

N.B. THE focus of our discussion is the Spirituality according to the Christian tradition and practice. Kinds of Spirituality

Spirituality is NOT only for the older people Scope of Spirituality

…to the students who •have the habit of writing words or symbols of praises at the top of their test paper as a sign of offering or probably adoration to God. •wear or keep religious articles as their way of connecting with God. Scope of Spirituality

…to the teachers who •have their own unique way of manifesting their prayer life in their work. •become more prayerful as they approach a particular class or group pf students. • have the habit or ritual of offering mass and prayers at the beginning and end of every semester as a sign of deliverance and thanksgiving. Scope of Spirituality

Indeed… Spirituality is a part of life for many people of different walks of life “…that the practiced of devotion should be adapted to each person according to his/her duties and occupation.” St. Frances de Sales

Scope of Spirituality

1. PRAYER TRADITIONALLY defined as… “lifting up of our heart and mind to God.” Elements of Spirituality

PRAYER is not only lifting of our heart and mind but it is also listening and waiting to God. has two way process: a. God’s action b. our participation Elements of Spirituality

PRAYER that is why it is best described as

“conversation with God”

eans: speaking and listening to G Elements of Spirituality

A. VOCAL PRAYER - is the act of expressing the thoughts and concerns of our hearts to God through the use of our own words. e.g. OUR FATHER, HAIL MARY, GLORY BE etc.

Kinds of Prayer

B. MENTAL PRAYER - a prayer wherein we use our mind and imagination to unite ourselves with God. e.g. meditation, examination of conscience etc. Kinds of Prayer

C. CONTEMPLATION - A prayer of loving attentiveness to God’s mysterious presence. While mental prayer is more of the active use of our imagination and mind, contemplative prayer is more quiet, receptive and affective. It is a prayer of the e.g. 30 day prayer retreat heart.

of

the priest and religious Kinds of Prayer

D. LITURGICAL PRAYER - a prayer of the church gathered in worship and praise of God. The most important liturgical prayer for the Catholics is the Mass or the Eucharist. - other liturgical prayer is the liturgy of the hours or “breviary”; prayer meeting; para-liturgical prayers. Kinds of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline

“Sacrifice is always a part of Authentic Christian Spirituality.” Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline In Modern times, it is understood in a very negative way. It is conceived as hassle, hindrance, obstacle, and an opponent of happiness and Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline SACRIFICE comes from the Latin word: •Sacra means HOLY or SACRED •Facere means TO DO or TO ACT In short, it is simply means HOLY ACTION or SACRED Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline Furthermore… Sacrifice are means that can lead us to become good or become holy. They are not really a hindrance or obstacle to joy and happiness. Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline Sacrifice as spiritual discipline is traditionally termed as “ASCETICISM” comes from the Greek word ASKESIS which means athletic exercise practice By definition it is “aor self-denying way of life” Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline

Different Kinds of Spiritual Discipline a.FASTING

• simply means not to eat foods for a day or a meal. • History of Christianity: practiced as away of uniting oneself with the suffering Jesus and as a preparation for prayer. • Vat. II, 1964 : P. Paul VI reduced the time for fasting into one hour before Holy Communion and moderately fast on Ash Wed and Good Friday. • Today, many Christians are rediscovering fasting both as discipline for prayer and a way of

Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline

Different Kinds of Spiritual Discipline b. ABSTINENCE

• a practice of refraining from eating meat • today, this practice is very popular especially for those who want to reduced in weight. • but abstinence was originally a spiritual act • It is a way of disciplining the spirit Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline

Different Kinds of Spiritual Discipline c. SOLITUDE, RETREAT AND RECOLLECTION

• SOLITUDE means to find a time and place to be alone before God. • In the history of spirituality, DESERT is a symbol of SOLITUDE. • Today, many of us are already engrossed and blinded by the busy, noisy, and artificial offering of the urban world. • SOLITUDE can help us open ourselves to God who speaks to us in silence and in the beauty of creation.

Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline

Different Kinds of Spiritual Discipline c. SOLITUDE, RETREAT AND RECOLLECTION

• RETREAT is an extended version of solitude • Normally happens in three days. • RECOLLECTION normally happens in in ONE to TWO days. Elements of Prayer

2. Sacrificial – Spiritual Discipline

Different Kinds of Spiritual Discipline

c. GOOD WORKS • A very important element of spirituality . • e.g. Parable of the Good Samaritan. • Mt. 6,1-4 “…when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…so that your almsgiving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” Elements of Prayer

SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS

s i t a h W

l o h

e in

? s s

cary thing to talk about… Reasons: a. worldly concept of holiness i.e. hardships and difficulties b. to become martyr like saints as holy people and most of them died a tragic death c. some of us don’t want to die moreover, we don’t want SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS to die a tragic death.

rthermore… • holiness connotes impossibility for we are always tormented with sins and temptations • many of us don’t want to deal on this and setting aside this holiness “thing”. • but we are all called to holiness as ultimate objective of our spirituality SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS

Vatican II… “it is therefore quiet clear that all Christians in any state or walk of life are called to the fullness of life and to the perfection of love, and by this holiness a more SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS

For better understanding…

Two things are being emphasized: 1.We are all called to become holy or perfect. 2. Holiness can be realized in our earthly life.

SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS

SPIRITUALITY

AND

HOLINESS

•What is the meaning of holiness?

•How to become holy?

According to Catholic Encyclopedia:

• Holiness is equated to PERFECTION and WHOLENESS • these THREE words can be used interchangeably, denoting one and the same meaning MOREOVER, Holiness derives from Latin word “SANCTITAS” HENCE, it is closely related with the term “SANCTITY/SANCTIFICATION” or even with the word “SAINT” SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS

ON THE OTHER HAND:

Latin “SANCTITAS” is the rendering of two Greek words “HAGIOSYNE” and “HOSIOTES” THESE two Greek words pertain to holiness but of different emphasis: HAGIOSYNE HOSIOTES Holiness as separation from anything worldy

Holiness as stability in the service of God

SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS

SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS

homas Aquinas defined holiness as….

“a virtue by which man’s mind applies itself and all its act to God”

SPIRITUALITY AND HOLINESS •St. Thomas Aquinas agrees with the two aspects of holiness. (hagiosyne and hosiotes) •his definition greatly touches on the concept of holiness as separation and assigned to the virtue of religion the

PLATO (427-347 BC) 

Plato was one of the most famous philosophers of Ancient Greece.

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the first to use the word "philosophy", which means "love of wisdom".

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He was born in around 428 BC to a wealthy family in Athens.

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In 387 BC, he founded the Academy, which is often described as the first European university. DOCTRINE OF PLATO

Philosophy of Plato 

Plato did not believe in creation from nothing (creatio ex nihilo)

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Stressing that actual things are copied of transcendent ideas.

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These ideas are the object of true knowledge apprehended by reminiscence (memories)

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He believed that God and world to be separate

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God as absolute and ultimate transcendent reality above and beyond the world of senses DOCTRINE OF PLATO

Philosophy of Plato 

In order to arrange the world, God employs a “craftsman” known as “demiurge” or “lesser-god”

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His idea greatly influenced the heretical impulse of early Christian thinkers.

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In short, his idea is keeping God and his creation, spirit and matter, separate.

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DOCTRINE OF PLATO

PLATO’S philosophy on DUALISM SPIRIT

PERFECT

IDEALISM

BODY

IMPERFECT

MATERIALISM

For better understanding…

PLATO’s Philosophy on DUALISM

BODY

VS

SPIRIT

EVIL

HOLY

-has to be purified -not capable for holiness

Holiness is only Appropriate for the spirit

furthermore…

• This idea is very much in contradiction with the authentic Christian faith • Christians believe in the importance of both body and spirit • Holiness is appropriate for both body and spirit • Body can be an effective means for worship, faith expression, spirituality or holiness • No dichotomy of body and spirit. • Modern philosophers used now the term CHURCH’s “EMBODIED SPIRIT” TEACHING on BODY vs SPIRIT

ACTIVITY 

HOW do you exercise your spirituality as a student?

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What are your habits of prayer and good works?

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Reporting-Presentation will follow. …can be in a form of: Singing Acting Dancing

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HOW do you express your prayer as a student? WHAT are your ways to strengthen and deepen your prayer life?  Reporting-Presentation

=can be in a form of: a. Singing b. Acting c. Dancing

ACTIVITY

will follow.

HOLINESS

means

PERFECTION

As Jesus Christ commands….

“Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Mt. 5,48

Here, Jesus is commanding the disciples to extend the boundaries of their community by modeling themselves on the HOLINESS AND PERFECTION

Jesus is also bringing the Old Testament to fulfillment by recalling a command from Deuteronomy 18,13…

“You shall be blameless before the Lord your God” or “You must remain completely loyal to the Lord your God. • Septuagint (Greek version of the Bible) the word

“blameless” in Greek translation is “teleios” • The same word (teleios) which is translated as “perfect” in Mt 5,48 • In other words, both Mt. and Dt. the notion of perfection connotes fidelity and love • Same word used in Gen. 6,9 describing Noah as blameless and holy HOLINESS AND PERFECTION

•Therefore, holiness is not completely an other-worldly thing. •Holiness is doable in this world, we just have to be faithful and loyal to the Lord As the saying goes:

“we are not called to become successful but we are called to become faithful” Fr. Thomas Green also said:

“the just man sins seven times a daybut their fundamental option is for God.”

Fr. Karl Peschke in his book Christian Ethics

said:

“in order to become holy a man or a woman must first live a life in all the humanity and fragility of human’s actual condition.”

This implies a greater capacity for concern, for suffering, for understandin g, and for sympathy

…and also for humor, for joy, and for appreciation of the good and beautiful things in

• Perfection is a goal in which every Christian must strive, however this perfection as a goal is not a possession from the beginning. • St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians (3,12-14), he said that “he has not yet attained the goal of perfection, but still pressing on to it…” • Hence, one ought not to be discouraged by the perceptions of one's shortcomings and imperfections. • Only one reason to be frightened

Fr. Peschke also stressed that striving after holiness is a kind of dialectic between IDEALS and REALITY. Ideals can only be realized in each individual context or situation i.e. each one becomes perfect according to his/her own situation or profession In the same manner, our spirituality should be in harmony with our profession and situation in life.

Therefore, “being a La Sallian and health worker, it is necessary for us to understand and conform to the spirituality and ways to holiness that are appropriate to us.”

What is La Sallian Spirituality?

1.The spirit of COMMUNITY – a strong sense of solidarity 2.The spirit of FAITH – a strong sense of seeing Christ in everything and everyone as expressed in the prayer, “Jesus may live in our hearts forever!” 3.The spirit of ZEAL – a strong sense of dedication to our work and a strong sense of compassion to those confided to our care and that it may lead us to “touch the hearts” of those with whom we work with and lead them to God. La Sallian Spirituality (excerpts from the work of Bro. Gerard

4. A practical spirituality… from the words of St. John Baptist de La Salle:

“make no distinction between the duties of your profession and those that refer to your salvation and perfection. Be convinced that you will never achieve your salvation more surely nor acquire perfection that by fulfilling well the duties of your profession, provided you do so La Sallian Spirituality (excerpts from the work of Bro. Gerard

Some sustaining metaphors of La Sallian Spirituality: a. you are called by God to your work b. you are co-workers with God c. you work for the poor d. through the movement of the Holy Spirit

“I adore the Holy will of God in my regard.”

La Sallian Spirituality (excerpts from the work of Bro. Gerard

CRITERIA FOR A HEALTHY SPIRITUALITY

Mystagogical and not Moralizing • a spirituality is mystagogical if it leads into the mystery of God and the mystery if human person • concerned with experiencing the life which God has given us • it should not be faultfinding and condemning • naturally, no spirituality can exist without morality but

2. Liberating and not Excessively Demanding • spirituality leads people to freedo as children of God • it leads us to the exercise of freedom and a deeper love and understanding of oneself • it promotes the exercise of freedom with responsibility • in the course of the exercise of

3. Unifying and not Divisive • a healthy spirituality unites us with all people • it unites us with the weak and strong, with the sick and healthy, with the rich and the poor, with the ordinary and exceptional • a healthy spiritual life calls for a healthy human

4. Oriented to the world and not withdrawn from it • a true spirituality faces the demands of everyday ordinary life and work • a spiritual person can perform his work well with energy, creativity and enthusiasm • spirituality must have a healing and

5. Seeking God and not Feelings • a real spirituality fosters our attachment to God and not just to a warm inspiring feelings • it leads us to love • this love leads us to a different attitude with regards to others and also to a new relationship with

6. Comprehensive and not one-sided• in a healthy spirituality the entire person must be addressed, be grasped and changed by God’s transforming power • true spirituality touches the human intellect, will and feelings, the conscious and unconscious, the masculine and the

7. Humble and not • humility is the no. 1 criteria of Proud genuine spirituality

• Gal. 5,22 “the fruits of the spirit is love, joy peace, kindness….selfcontrol.” • wherever those fruits exist, there the Spirit of God is at work • but whenever narrowness and fear, hardness and judgment are found, the spirit of God is not at work but our own spiritMerry Christmas!!!