A. What is it?

>> “Spiritual Combat” is a 17th century Catholic Spiritual Classic on Ascetic Theology

>> Fr Lorenzo Scupoli is considered to be its author.

>> St. Frances de Sales called the “Spiritual Combat” as the “Golden Book”. This “the favorite, the dear book” of the great master of spiritual life was carried by him for 18 years. The Saint read some pages of it every day, entrusted to its supernatural and human wisdom, the guidance of his soul, and recommended it to all under his direction.

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Spiritual Combat” is a practical manual of living. It is a personal “do-it-yourself” book that allows the reader to put the truths of Christian spiritual warfare into practice on a daily basis.

>> The purpose of the book is to lead the soul to the summit of spiritual perfection, by means of a constant, courageous struggle against our evil nature, which tends to keep us away from that goal.

>> The “Spiritual Combat” consists of 66 short chapters based on the maxim that in the spiritual life one must either “fight or die”.

>> It shows the Christian how to combat his passions and vices, especially impurity and sloth, in order to arrive at victory.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Spiritual Combat” analyses various human situations and advises how to cope with them, preserving a pure conscience and improving virtue.

>> The whole human history has been the story of the combat with the powers of evil. In the midst of the battlefield, human beings have to struggle to do what is right, and it is at great cost to himself, and aided by God’s grace, that he succeeds in achieving his own inner integrity.

>> The fundamental scripture at the heart of the “Spiritual Combat” is “None shall be crowned who has not fought well” (2 Tim 2:5)

2. Battle One Passion, at a time!

>> Don’t randomly practice virtues.

>> Instead, wage war against your worst passions and practice the opposite virtue.

3. There are 7 Spiritual weapons that are prescribed

(i) Distrust of Self (ii) Trust in God

(iii) Spiritual Exercises (Practise of 1 virtue at a time)

(iv) Prayer (v) Holy Eucharist (vi) Spiritual Communion

(vii) Examination of Conscience

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Spiritual Combat” for this Season of Lent?

1. Recognizing that we are Soldiers for Christ in this world

2. Never being discouraged, even in the midst of immense hardships

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Being optimistic and trusting in God, even when things don’t seem to be going “our way”

2. Filling our hearts with the “Spirit of Joy” by invoking a short prayer, especially in moments of tension and anxiety: Jesus, I trust in You!

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Catholic Classic “Spiritual Combat” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Spiritual Combat” can be found at:

http://www.catholictradition.org/Classics/combat.htm)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Spe Salvi” is an Encyclical by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI promulgated on November 30, 2007, >> “Spe Salvi” is a Latin title which means “Saved in Hope” and is the second Encyclical by the Pope Emeritus.

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Spe Salvi” speaks about the Theological Virtue of Hope.

>> The central thesis of this Encyclical is that Christian hope utterly transforms human life.

>> The Pope reminds us that we can have hope because we have a great goal: our salvation.

>> We can’t take our salvation for granted because it depends on our cooperation with grace.

>> “Spe Salvi” is divided in 8 sections:

(i) Faith is Hope: The solid basis for our Hope is our “Faith in God”.

>> Because we know God, we can have hope and rest secure in the knowledge that as Christians, we “have a future.”

(ii) The concept of faith-based hope in the New Testament and the early Church: Mentions that the encounter with Christ is not something abstract, but can change our lives. That is what attracted people to it in the beginning of the Church.

(iii) Eternal life – what is it? : “Eternal life” is the ultimate goal, what gives sense to our whole life.

(iv) Is Christian hope individualistic? : The role of Hope is vital, for Faith can be interpreted (wrongly) in a merely “informative sense”, whereas genuine Hope always goes beyond the “informative to the performative”.

(v) The transformation of Christian faith-hope in the modern age: Faith…enables us to experience the reality of God’s Kingdom in this present life.

>> This experience in turn becomes the final proof to us that what we hope for is real and true.

(vi) The true shape of Christian hope: Man’s great, true hope that holds firm in spite of all disappointments can only be God—God Who has loved us and Who continues to love us ‘to the end,’ until all ‘is accomplished.’ ”

(vii) ‘Settings’ for learning and practicing hope: The pope identifies four “settings” for learning and practicing hope. (a) Prayer (b) Deeds of Service (c) Suffering (d) Judgment of God

(viii) Mary, Star of Hope: This is a long prayer to our Lady, invoking her intercession.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Spe Salvi” is a reminder of the Great Virtue of Hope

>> The Three Theological virtues are Faith, Love and Hope

>> Of these, often, Hope is often given a “backseat” and sometimes, even taken for granted

>> This Encyclical calls us to consciously grow in this Theological Virtue especially in this world, which is often “tending towards hopelessness and fatalism”

2. “Spe Salvi” demonstrates a variety of examples and illustrations from other Christian authors, books and other philosophical thinkers/writers

>> Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI displays his class by referencing to a number of authors and books – including a funeral oration by St. Ambrose, theologians like Henri de Lubac, mystics as Augustine of Hippo, Bernard of Clairvaux, and Benedict of Nursia, philosophers such as Francis Bacon, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Engels, Karl Marx, Max Horkheimer, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Plato along with other authors and thinkers like Vladimir Lenin, Theodor W. Adorno, Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan.

>> This reminds all Christians of that famous quote: “Every Christian must have a Bible in one hand and a newspaper in the other.”

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Spe Salvi” for this Season of Lent?

1. Being a person of hope

2. Having a deeper thirst for knowledge

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Being optimist and cheerful in all the situations of life – and especially when things go wrong, to have “hope” that God is always doing everything for our good. (Rom 8:28)

2. Keeping ourselves updated on the happenings of the world, and seeking to find “Christian solutions” to these day-to-day challenges

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Spe Salvi” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Spe Salvi” can be found at:http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_ben-xvi_enc_20071130_spe-salvi.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Dignitatis Humanae” is the Declaration of the Second Vatican Council on the Declaration on Religious Freedom.

>> “Dignitatis Humanae” – the Latin title – means “the Dignity of the Human Person”

>> This declaration was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 7, 1965.

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Dignitatis Humanae” speaks of the Church’s support for the protection of religious liberty.

>> The main aspects of “Dignitatis Humanae” are:

(i) The fundamental right to religious liberty: All persons have a right to religious liberty, a right with its foundation in the essential dignity of each human being.

>> All persons must be free to seek the truth without coercion, but are also morally obligated to embrace the Truth of the Catholic faith once they recognize it.

(ii) The responsibility of the state: The government is to protect the rights and equality of all citizens as part of its essential role in promoting the public good

(iii) Religious freedom and Christianity: Christians are called to an even more conscientious respect for religious freedom. Man’s response to God in faith must be free – no person is to be forced to embrace Christianity.

>> God’s own call to serve him binds persons in conscience but is not compulsion.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Dignitatis Humanae” affirms that “the one true religion subsists in the Catholic and Apostolic Church

>> This statement is also bound to the fact that “all men are bound to seek the truth, especially in what concerns God and his Church, and to embrace the truth they come to know, and to hold fast to it.”

2.  Human dignity has only one source and only one guarantee – We are made in the Image and Likeness of God.

>> The Declaration states that it was Christianity that led to the developing and uniquely stressing the idea of the individual person with an eternal destiny.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Dignitatis Humanae” for this Season of Lent?

1. Deepening our love for the Church and drawing more people to the True Faith

2. Growing in our understanding of our own self – that we are in the glorious Image and Likeness of God – and so, each one of us are very good.

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Live the teachings of the Church in day-to-day life, and especially practise the basics of Catholic Living – Regular Holy Mass, Confessions, Bible Reading, Examination of Conscience, Recitation of the Holy Rosary, and Praying together in the Family

2. Identify one’s strengths and blessings that God has given, and spend every day at least 10 minutes, to thank the Lord!

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Dignitatis Humanae” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Dignitatis Humanae”can be found at:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651207_dignitatis-humanae_en.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Laudato Si” is an Encycical by Pope Francis, released on June 18, 2015.

>> “Laudato Si” which means “Praise be to You” is the 2nd Encyclical of Pope Francis

>> The title is inspired from St Francis of Assisi’s 13th-century “Canticle of the Sun” (also called the Canticle of the Creatures), a poem and prayer.

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Laudato Si” is addressed to “every person living on this planet” with the hope of entering “into dialogue with all people about the Earth – our common home.”

>> 6 Chapters make up “Laudato Si”

(i) “What is happening to our Common Home”: Looks at the various symptoms of environmental degradation. The encyclical postulates that a truly ecological approach is also inherently social – an approach that simultaneously hears the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.

(ii) “The Gospel of Creation”: Considers the world the way that God intended it. The chapter surveys the rich scriptural traditions to show that there is no Biblical justification for “a tyrannical anthropocentrism unconcerned for other creatures.” A person who is truly concerned about the trafficking of endangered species is automatically concerned with the trafficking of humans.

(iii) “The Human Roots of the Ecological Crisis”: Examines the twin notions of “technocratic paradigm” and a “modern anthropocentrism”.

>> These views see nature as devoid of any spiritual or transcendental value.

>> This has led to the misplaced ideas that the earth’s resources are infinite and that economic growth and technology alone can solve global hunger and poverty.

(iv) “Integral Ecology”: It charts a path to recapture awareness of the interconnectedness of creation. It is essential to appreciate the impact of environmental degradation on “cultural ecology”. The experience of indigenous peoples is specifically referred to in this regard.

(v) “Lines of Approach and Action”: This Chapter sets out various international collective actions needed.

(vi) “Ecological Education and Spirituality”: It shifts attention to the individual believer, families and communities, and invites them to make a difference in small but tangible ways.

>> Consumer choices, the cultivation of ecological virtues such as reducing wastefulness, and environmental education for the young are explained as practical steps leading to a deeper, spiritual “ecological conversion” through which the follower of Christ recognizes the true worth of all created entities.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?”

>> This question is at the heart of“Laudato Si’

>> We have forgotten that “we ourselves are dust of the earth; our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.”

>> The Encyclical encourages all to have an “ecological conversion”

2. Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.

>> This “corrected lifestyle” it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Story of the Soul”” for this Season of Lent?

1. Cultivate greater sensitivity to nature

2. Deepen and thank God as the Creator

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1.  Make a list, and practise, a few but very practical steps to protect the nature

2. Raise a prayer of Thanks to the Lord, for all the things we see around

>> Let nature, become a time of meditation with the Lord

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Laudato Si” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Laudato Si” can be found at:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.pdf)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Lumen Fidei” is the First Encyclical of Pope Francis. It was the completion of the work of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.

>> It was issued on June 29, 2013 in conjunction with the Year of Faith

>> “Lumen Fidei” means “The Light of Faith”

>> The document, completed the Papal Trilogy on the three theological virtues, following Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclicals Deus Caritas Est (on Charity) and Spe Salvi (on Hope).

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Lumen Fidei” celebrates Christian faith as the guiding light of a “successful and fruitful life”, inspiring social action as well as devotion to God…

… and illuminating “every aspect of human existence”, including philosophy and the natural sciences.

>> “Lumen Fidei” is divided into four chapters, each drawn from a passage in Scripture:

(i) We have believed in love. (1 Jn 4:16)

>> Reviews Salvation History—the story of God’s people—to see Faith throughout history.

>> Explores the rootedness of faith in the absolute fidelity of God, Who is completely trustworthy.

>> God enters human history and invites each person to participate in His plan of love.

(ii) Unless you believe, you will not understand. (Is 7:9)

>> Seeks to understand the relationship between Faith and several other aspects – Reason, Love, Truth, and Theology.

>> As Faith comes through hearing and sight, it is an intensely personal experience which opens out into a unique trustworthy knowledge…

… stimulating a constant dialogue between Faith and Reason.

(iii) I delivered to you what I also received. (1 Cor 15:3)

>>Ultimately, Faith and Truth are received in community.

>> We accept this Faith in a community and in the communion of the Church. Specially, the Sacraments allow us to experience this Faith.

>> This Community stays unified through the Apostolic Tradition and Apostolic Succession which safeguards Truth and allows our Faith to be handed on.

>> The Church extends the relational reality of Faith not only through Her Doctrines, but through Her very Sacramental Life

(iv) God prepares a city for them. (Heb 11:16)

>> Shows how faith should be the foundation of our society. Faith is needed for the foundation of our society, marriage and family.

>> Faith in God provides the common Faith so that our societies can endure.

>> Faith does not answer every question, but provides a lamp to help us navigate through the darkness and the Presence of God, who is with us, personally in our suffering.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Lumen Fidei” fortifies our Faith by responding to various contemporary doubts and attitudes that undermine believing

>> Faith is not an outdated relic of the Dark Ages. Christian Faith, rather, provides the foundation for fidelity in interpersonal relationships, without which society would be debilitated by fear.

2. Contradicts the Philosophy of Secularism (= being without God and glorifying only human abilities)

>> The power of secularism which tends to portray God as distant or dead is negated, as Faith makes God tangible and Christ-like Love possible.

3. Faith is not only personal, but essentially has a Communitarian dimension

>> Faith in the One God, directed toward the One Lord, is shared in the One Church, and so must be professed in its full unity and integrity.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Imitation of Christ” for this Season of Lent?

1. Understanding and deepening our Fundamentals of Faith

2. Reviving our Sacramental Life (especially Holy Eucharist and Confession)

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Pick up the 12 basic articles of the Apostles Creed (I Believe) and make a study on each of those Basics of our Faith

>> Prepare a list of possible doubts and contradictions

>> Try to find reasonable solutions, which could be used as a tool to defend and proclaim our Faith

2. Try to go for Holy Mass, with due preparation, as often as possible (without restriction to only Sunday Mass)

>> Make it a point to go for Confession, at least, once every month

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Encyclical “Lumen Fidei” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Lumen Fidei” can be found at:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> The “Imitation of Christ” is a Christian Devotional Book by Thomas a Kempis (He was a German-Dutch Canon Regular Priest)

>> It was composed around 1418-1427, in Latin

>> The “Imitation of Christ” is perhaps one of the most widely read Christian book, after the Holy Bible.

B. What does it speak of?

>> The “Imitation of Christ” presents the idea that the study of Christ’s life and the emulation of His Example is the highest pursuit that human beings can achieve.

>> Christ is the ultimate example of Christian’s spiritual lifestyle.

>> Love is exalted as taking the highest place and faith is fundamental to the spiritual life. >> The “Imitation of Christ” seeks to repair and develop our spiritual life and meditate on God as the source of everything.

>> The “Imitation of Christ” comprises of 114 Chapters, divided into Four Books:

(i) “Helpful Counsels of the Spiritual Life”

>> The “Imitation of Christ” derives its title from the First Chapter of Book I, “The Imitation of Christ and contempt for the vanities of the world”

>> Book One deals emphasizes an interior life by renouncing all that is vain and illusory, resisting temptations and distractions of life, giving up the pride of learning and to be humble, and patiently enduring the world’s contempt and contradiction.

(ii) “Directives for the Interior Life”

>> It contains instructions concerning “inward peace, purity of heart, a good conscience and for moderating our longings and desires.

>> It calls the reader to grow in the virtues of Patience, Submission to the Will of GOD, Love of Jesus, Enduring the loss of comfort, and Taking up the Cross.

(iii) “On Interior Consolation”

>> This longest book (consisting of 59 chapters) is in the form of a dialogue between Jesus and the disciple – a call to come into closer union with Him

>> A beautiful call by Jesus is: I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Without the Way, there is no going; without the Truth, there is no knowing; without Life, there is no living.

I am the Way you are to follow; I am the Truth you are to believe; I am the Life you are to hope for.”

(iv) “On the Blessed Sacrament”

>> The Fourth book emphasizes on the fact that Jesus says “there is no Offering more worthy, no satisfaction greater, for the washing away of sins and to offer oneself purely and completely to God at the time the Body of Christ is offered in the Mass and in Communion!”

>> In order to receive the Sacrament, the Lord invites to “make clean the mansions of your heart. Shut out the whole world and all its sinful din…

… and sit as a solitary sparrow on a housetop and, in the bitterness of your soul, meditate on your transgressions.”

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. The “Imitation of Christ” is a guide in changing our lives and learning to grow closer to Christ in Spirit and in Deeds.

>> We are constantly required to ask ourselves: “How am I really following Christ in my life?”

2. The “Imitation of Christ” strongly speaks on the necessity to have “humility of the heart”

>> In a world that glorifies sensationalization and pride, and in a culture of worldly ambition and crazy power-mongering, this Book is a mighty challenge!

3. The “Imitation of Christ” calls forth to have moments of silence, reflection and deep prayer

>> In a world where we “cherish and feel out-of-place without noise”, the Book comes as an eye-opener to make suitable changes in our lifestyle to nurture moments of silence – and thus to come in closer Imitation of Christ!

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Imitation of Christ” for this Season of Lent?

1. Growing in the Humility

2. Becoming more and more Christ-like in our attitudes and conduct towards others

3. Cultivating the Spirit of Prayerful Silence, even in our “busy and noise” schedule

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Practise every day, an action of humility

2. Ask this practical question to ourselves: “WWJD – What Would Jesus Do?”

3. Consciously set apart, at least sometime in the day, for a time of silence – and seek to grow in union with the Lord and His Will

>> We usually like to always have “words” in prayers and feel “awkward and incomplete” when there are no words or “talking”

>> Let us seek to spend time with the Lord, “in silence” and in the stillness of our hearts and minds, grow in the Experience of God’s Love!

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Spiritual Classic – “Imitation of Christ” – help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Imitation of Christ” can be found at:

http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/03d/1380-1471,_Kempis._Thomas,_The_Imitation_Of_Christ,_EN.pdf)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Dei Verbum” is the Vatican II Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, promulgated by Pope Paul VI on 18 November 1965

>> The phrase “Dei Verbum” is Latin for “Word of God”

>> It is one of the smallest Vatican II Documents (26 paragraphs or roughly 3,000

words in Latin)

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Dei Verbum” addresses the Catholic Church’s beliefs in regards to Sacred Scripture.

>> “Dei Verbum” is laid out into 6 Chapters:

1. Chapter 1: Divine Revelation Itself

>> Speaking on the Nature of Revelation, this chapter demonstrates God’s desire to communicate with human beings, revealing the mystery of the Divine Will.

>> It offers a summary of the Salvation History

>> It also emphasizes the Truth of this Revelation and the fact that it is accomplished in such a way that human beings can comprehend it.

2. Chapter 2: Transmission of Divine Revelation

>> The Truth of Revelation, is rooted in Christ’s very person and in his own proclamation of the Gospel; having commissioned the Apostles to carry it forward…, the truth of the

Gospel also lies in the Apostolic Tradition.

>> Both Scripture and Tradition must be accepted and honored with equal devotion and

reverence”.

>> Tradition and Scripture make up a single Sacred deposit of the Word of God

3. Chapter 3: Sacred Scripture: Its Divine Inspiration and Interpretation

>> It affirms the importance of both- the Old Testament and New Testament

>> It adopts the threefold-process of the Formation of the Gospels with the three levels: (i) the time of the Historical Jesus (ii) The oral preaching of the earliest apostles (iii) The time of the Evangelists

4. Chapter 4: The Old Testament

>> The plan of salvation was spoken through the authors of the Old Testament.

>> Its purpose was to prepare for the coming of the Christ and to show to all, how God interacts and deals with mankind in justice and mercy.

>> God wisely arranged for the New Testament to be hidden in the Old, and the Old to be made manifest in the New. While Christ made the new covenant with His blood, the Old Testament sheds light on and explains this mystery.

5. Chapter 5: The New Testament

>> The New Testament stands as a Perpetual and Divine Witness to the Reality of Salvation.

>> The Gospel Authors wrote about things handed on by word of mouth or in writing, sometimes a synthesis, sometimes as a proclamation, but always the honest truth about Jesus.

6. Chapter 6: Sacred Scripture in the Life of the Church

>> The Church has always venerated the scripture together with the Tradition as the supreme Rule of Faith.

>> The Church encourages the study of the Church Fathers as well as those exegetes who so well illuminate the teaching within the scriptures.

>> Individuals should read with enthusiasm, following the mind of the Church.

>> All clergy must read the scriptures with diligence. The same is encouraged for the laity and Religious. All faithful should not forget that prayer should always be the companion to reading God’s Word.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Dei Verbum” is considered as one of the important achievements of the Vatican Council II since its implications is for the treatment of Sacred Scripture itself.

>> It accords rightful significance to the Bible as the special locus of Divine Communication or Divine Revelation.

2. It presents three key principles of Catholic biblical interpretation:

(i) Pay attention to the content and unity of all the Sacred Scriptures.

(ii) Read and interpret the Bible within the living tradition of the Church.

(iii) Keep in mind the coherence of all the truths of revelation

3. The understanding from “Dei Verbum” is enshrined in the Catechism of the catholic Church (CCC), affirming reading Scripture for its four classical sense – the literal sense, and then the spiritual sense divided into three: the allegorical, tropological, and anagogical senses.

>> The allegorical sense (Typology) concerns how the Old and New Testaments relate, the tropological sense is the moral sense, and the anagogical sense concerns the soul’s progress to heaven.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Dei Verbum” for this Season of Lent?

1. Making it a Daily Habit to Read the Bible

2. Studying the Bible and going deeper into understanding the meaning of Scripture in our daily life

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Set apart a time, daily, to read God’s Word.

>> Just as our meals become a daily “must”, so should the Bible be part of our daily “sustenance for strength”

>> “Ignorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ” says St Jerome

>> Christ is the primary and ultimate revelation of God. So the more we read and reflect on Scripture, the more we can know Him and love Him

2. Learn, practise and revive the Catholic Tradition of the “Lectio Divina”(= a Latin term, means “divine reading”)

(i) The first stage is LECTIO (reading): Read any passage of the Word of God, slowly and reflectively so that it sinks into us

(ii) The second stage is MEDITATIO (reflection): Think about the text we have chosen and ruminate upon it so that we take from it what God wants to give us

(iii) The third stage is ORATIO (response): Leave thinking aside and simply let the heart to speak to God.

(iv) The final stage is CONTEMPLATIO (rest): Let go of our own ideas, plans and meditations and also holy words and thoughts. Simply rest in the Word of God and listen, to God, who speaks within us with a still small voice.

>> As we listen, we are gradually transformed from within and this will have a profound effect on the way we actually live.

May this Lent and the familiarity with “Dei Verbum” – the Vatican II Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation – help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of “Dei Verbum” can be found at:

http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Veritatis Splendor” is an Encyclical by Pope St John Paul II, promulgated on August 6, 1993

>> “Veritatis Splendor” is a Latin phrase which means “The Splendour of Truth”

>>

B. What does it speak of?

>> “Veritatis Splendor” responds to questions of Moral Theology that had been raised during the post-conciliar period of the Church (events after the Vatican II Council of 1962-65).

>> These questions revolve around human’s ability to discern good, the existence of evil, the role of human freedom and human conscience, mortal sin, and the Authority of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church in guiding people.

>> “Veritatis Splendor”, while acknowledging that everyone makes a fundamental choice for or against Christ, also reiterates that certain acts (i.e., mortal sins) represent a fundamental choice against Christ – and potentially forever, unless one repented.

>> “Veritatis Splendor” consists of three chapters:

(I) Teacher, What Good Must I Do

>> Christ and the answer to the question about morality

(II) Do Not Be Conformed to this World

>> The Church and the discernment of certain tendencies in present-day moral theology

(III) Lest the Cross of Christ be emptied of its Power

>> Moral good for the life of the Church and of the world

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Veritatis Splendor” speaks against the danger of moral relativism

>> Moral Relativism is the tendency to view reality as being “all relative” – “there are no absolute values”, “any judgment you make is your judgment from your point of view and there is no objective point of view”.

>> Pope Benedict XVI called this “moral relativism” as a poison

>> “Veritatis Splendor” begins by asserting that there are indeed absolute truths accessible to all persons.

2. “Veritatis Splendor” reminds us of the reality of intrinsically evil acts

>> This means that certain acts are always wrong, and that there are never circumstances in which they may be permitted if done knowingly and intentionally

>> It is never permissible to intend directly something which contradicts a moral order.

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Veritatis Splendor” for this Season of Lent?

1. Become aware of the danger of “moral relativism” and how it is very much spread in the thought-philosophies of the world around us

2. Realize the gravity of mortal sin and how we must be defiant in staying away from it

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Study and reflect more on the Catholic Teachings, so that we don’t get strayed away by the “attractive modern” philosophies, which tend to neutralize truth

2. Make “Examination of Conscience” a part of one’s daily timetable

May this Lent and the familiarity with this Encyclical “Veritatis Splendor” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of the “Veritatis Splendor” can be found at:

>> http://w2.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_06081993_veritatis-splendor.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Introduction to the Devout Life” is a Spiritual Classic written by St Francis de Sales, published in 1609.

>> “The Introduction” is a compilation of letters and notes used in the Spiritual Direction of his cousin, Madame Marie de Charmoisy, the wife of an ambassador of the Duke of Savoy.

>> The writings of the book are addressed to the title, “Philothea” (= Lover of God)

>> Pope Pius XI at the declaration of St Francis de Sales as the Patron Saint of Catholic Writers and Journalists in 1923, wrote about the “Introduction to the Devout Life”:

… “Would that this book – the most perfect of its kind in the judgment of his contemporaries, as it was at one time in the hands of all – were now read by all, so that true piety might everywhere flourish again, and the Church of God might rejoice in seeing sanctity common among her sons.”

B. What does it speak of?

>> The “Introduction to the Devout Life” is a practical guide and exhortation to all people, to life a life of holiness.

>> It is also an excellent reference in Spiritual Direction.

>> The “Introduction to the Devout Life” consists of Five Parts:

1. Part I: Attaining a Firm Resolution to the Devout Life

>> It speaks of the nature of True Devotion and how all are called to it

>> The necessity of a Spiritual Guide for progress in the Devout Life is emphasized

>> “Purifying the soul” is the first step, and towards this, 10 mediations are provided

2. Part II: Prayer and the Sacraments

>> The necessity of Prayer and how it starts with “placing oneself in the Presence of God” is explained.

>>It also touches up the topics of Holy Communion, Invocation and Meditation with the Saints, Spiritual Bouquets, Retreats, Aridity in Prayer and the Word of God.

3. Part III: The Practice of Virtue

>> It explains how to practice individual virtues like Patience, Meekness, Humility, Obedience, Chastity, and Poverty.

>> It outlines 3 themes: (i) Discerning which virtues to work on (ii) Practising individual virtues in everyday life (iii) Remaining devout in dealings with society.

4. Part IV: Some Ordinary Temptations and how to overcome them

>> This is the “troubleshooting guide” or “snares of the enemy,” which explains what Philothea – the reader – can do when he/she encounters certain stumbling blocks.

5. Part V: Renewing and Confirming the Soul in Devotion

>> The last part speaks of an “annual review,” which St. Francis de Sales recommends undergoing every year around the time of the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism.

>> Philothea – the reader – is encouraged to examine oneself closely, to give thanks for all signs of progress – however tiny – and frankly acknowledge where one has slowed down the progress through willfulness or sloth.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. A call for all people towards Holiness

>> St Francis de Sales says: “My purpose is to instruct those who live in town, within families, or at court, and are obliged to live an ordinary life as to outward appearances…

… It is an error, or rather a heresy, to wish to banish the devout life from the regiment of soldiers, the mechanic’s shop, the court of princes, or the home of married people… Wherever we may be, we can and should aspire to the perfect life.”

>> This passage from St. Francis de Sales was a major inspiration to the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council and stands behind one of the central exhortations of Vatican II – “The Universal Call to Holiness.”

2. The daily examples/articles/experiences of life are used remind/teach about the Presence of God

>> This was the “Jesus style” – using familiar experiences of the people to teach a religious truth, through a parable or metaphor.

>> The “Introduction to the Devout Life” has incidents taken from the Bible and the biographies of Saints. It also makes use of stories and natural science information (especially from the writings of Greek philosopher, Aristotle and the Roman author, Pliny the Elder)

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from the “Introduction to the Devout Life” for this Season of Lent?

1. Aspiring towards holiness

2. Growing in little virtues

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Thank God for the state of life that we are in, and realize that God is calling us to sanctify and make holy, each work that we do, specific to our vocation

>> Let every duty and responsibility that we do – little or big – be seen and done, as steps towards holiness and sanctity; hence, “do everything in love – Bloom where you are planted!”

2. Identify our “root vice” (= the negative tendency in us, which causes/leads to other sins)

>> Consciously practise the opposite “root virtue”

>> Daily make an Examination of Conscience to check the progress

>> If successful, in humility, thank God.

>> If not successful, never be discouraged – instead, seek to practise the same “root virtue”, the following day.

May this Lent and the familiarity with this Spiritual Classic by St Francis de Sales, “Introduction to the Devout Life” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

(The Full Text of the “Introduction to the Devout Life” can be found at:

>> http://www.philothea.de/devout-english.html)

God Bless! Live Jesus!

A. What is it?

>> “Gaudium et Spes” is one of the four Major Constitutions of the Second Vatican Council.

>> It was promulgated by Pope Paul VI on Dec 7, 1965 – the day the Council ended.

>> The title “Gaudium et Spes” is a Latin phrase which means “The Joys and Hopes”

>> It is the longest of all the documents of Vatican II

B. What does it speak of?

>> The chief focus of “Gaudium et Spes” is on how the Church is to seek to provide meaningful answers to the questions people have about life.

The following are the major highlights of this important document of Vatican II

Introduction: The Situation of Men in the Modern World

>> Traditions and values are being lost. Moral conflicts are escalating as a result of a false way of living, and people’s moral conscience is playing less role. Oppression and neglect for the poor is escalating.

>> The world is capable of acts that uplift life and acts that destroy life. There is an addiction to material things. Yet, there are many who desire to know what the purpose of life is.

>> “Gaudium et Spes”, addressing all people of the world, confidently proclaims that Jesus Christ, true God and true Man, is the answer to all the perplexing questions that plague humankind today

Part I: The Church and Man’s Calling:

>> To be a human and Christian today is to read the signs of the times, seek common values and proclaim Jesus Christ.

I. The Dignity of the Human Person: The dignity of being human, stems from being created in God’s image. There is a law of love written in our hearts – an inner voice that calls us to love God and humanity. In following Jesus, we learn to love in such a way that our truest self is revealed.

II. The Community of Mankind: God creates humans to be together. Human community reflects Trinitarian community. We must learn to love and respect those who think differently than us. Each of us is responsible to fulfill the call to live justly, and to walk in love always.

III. Man’s Activity throughout the World: A person is truly valued by “who they are”, not by “what they do”. Whatever is done to promote justice and dignity is infinitely more valuable than what is technologically created. The hope of the world rests in love.

IV. The Role of the Church in the Modern World: The Church is the sign of the presence of God. The Church exists because of God’s love for us. The Church’s greatest responsibility and challenge is to promote and attain unity. We need to enter into honest discussion with mutual love and respect. Christ was, is, and always will be the Center of the Church. A concise Ecclesiology of the Church as “leaven” in the world is manifested.

Part II: Some Problems of Special Urgency

I. Fostering the Nobility of Marriage and the Family: Society is harmed by polygamy, divorce, free-love, excessive self-love, and improper use of birth control. Sacramental married life is a covenantal love of man and woman, created by God. Love in marriage is Divinely Ordained and is expressed through holy sex and lived out, in raising a family. All life comes from God and is therefore, Sacred.

II. The Proper Development of Culture: Growth in natural human and social science, as well as communications and technology, provide a means to change culture positively and negatively. The Church must remain faithful to its Traditions and be responsive to its universal mission.

III. Economic and Social Life: There is more than enough available to the world to provide for the needs of humanity. A just world seeks to provide opportunity for all to grow intellectually and morally. The concept of work also implies, how we can serve one another.

IV The Life of the Political Community: Authority must function as a moral force and not as a tyranny. The truest duty, politically, is to oppose injustice, oppression, and intolerance. The work of the Church is to preach the Faith and teach social doctrines. The Church has the right and responsibility to pass moral judgments on society when the salvation of souls is at stake.

V The Fostering of Peace and the Promotion of a Community of Nations: Peace is not the absence of war. Peace is directly relevant to people’s ability to love. Peace requires sincere respect for others and an effort to see that the basic human needs of others is met. Peace flows from Christ. Peace is not possible where these exist: injustice, economic inequality, thirst for power, or disregard for human life.

C. Pointers for Reflections

1. “Gaudium et Spes” appeals to all people to not be afraid of seeking to find the “true meaning of life”

>> We are often lost in the uncertainties, worries and cares of the world. The Document calls to “go deeper” and thus live a meaningful and purposeful life

>> This meaning is to find its fullness in a “Life in Christ” – Who is “the Key, the Censer and the End of all of human history” (GS, 10).

2. The Church is called to be a sign of unity

>> Today an honest and critical analysis of the Church can make us to confess that there a lot of factors of disunity: language, rite, social-status, caste, region etc

>> We are challenged to resolve these differences – despite the mighty challenge before us – so that we can truly witness ourselves as “The One Body of Christ!”

D. What virtues/points can we pick up from “Gaudium et Spes” for this Season of Lent?

1. Discovering Jesus as the “Greatest Meaning of our Life” and thus like the disciples have the “Eureka-shout” – “We have found the Messiah!” (Jn 2: 41)

2. Be a person who fosters unity and facilitates reconciliation

E. Tips to practice these virtues

1. Make an honest examination of life and draw a list of the priorities of our life; and thus check if God tops the list.

>> If not, what we need to do to have “First things First” – God as the Most Important Person and Goal of my life

2. Everyday make an “Examination of Conscience” and have the courage to forgive and be reconciled with those to whom we are not in good terms.

May this Lent and the familiarity with the Second Vatican Council Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World “Gaudium et Spes” help us to grow in our acclamation: “Eureka – I have found the Lord”

God Bless! Live Jesus!