Continuing the theme of seeking holiness, the author asks: How do we do it?
He suggests that an athletic/coaching anology might be helpful. His father and coaches suggested that whatever the sporting activity, study the masters in the field. Two reasons to do this. First,to be inspired and secondly, to learn the techniques. The transition to our spiritual lives is a natural lead into the lives of the saints. These great men and women can help show us the path to Jesus and give us some helpful techniques on the path to holiness.
While there are some common objections to studying the lives of the saints such as they were born saints and did not have struggles, we are the losers if we do not study their lives. Also, we do not want to adore/venerate the saints or impose some superstitious conduct about them. But, we can imitate their good practices, and in particluar- discipline.
Many modern catholics have rejected discipline and the author reminds us of the three prevailing philosophies he discussed earlier.
----Individualism: Many catholics these days judge Mass by what they get out of it.
----Hedonism: Many modern catholics reject any tradition that is not self satisfying or gratifying or if it requires discipline.
----Minimalism: Isn't it enough to go to Mass on Sunday and say grace before meals? This is asking what is the least I can do and still get to heaven.
Jesus wanted us to imitate Him.
What is discipline and how do we get it?
Discipline is doing what we should to become what God created us to be.
Matthew Kelly asks what are we teaching our children when they have so many activities that they rush from one to the other. Are they learning discipline or is there no time for that and are they only learning to enjoy each activity on a superficial basis. That is a good question that all of us should ask ourselves.
I can remember how sports and study taught me discipline and it can be then applied to other areas of our lives.
The call to holiness is our essential purpose and the saints help to show us the way. Many modern day catholics are uncomfortable with being reminded that we are to be holy. We need to become disciplined in satisfying the gentle call of Jesus to be holy as He is holy.
What practices can each of us implement to begin the path toward Jesus and holiness?
Michael
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I have recently been introduced to the particular examen of conscience of St. Ignatius--in which one concentrates on those things/habits that separate himself from God. It is powerful enough that it is reported to have changed one of St. Ignatius's students (I forget thename) from an inherently despairing man to one of the most joyful saints, known for his exuberant and visible love of God. THAT is a change! Anyway, it may not be something one can jump into easily (it isn't the first of Ignatius's exercises) but it's worth a look. The principle, regardless, is a good one. Instead of just concentrating on a laundry list of things we do that are impeding us ('I yelled at my husband," "I failed to go to Sunday mass,") as important as they are, perhaps growth in holiness requires us to look a little deeper at what fallen part of us actually produced the sin...and start to work there.... Martha
ReplyDeleteKelly suggests in this chapter that we should study the lives of the saints. Good enough, but I found myself asking; Which ones? How? Where do I get the information?
ReplyDeleteIn keeping with the idea that we are likely to be more sucessful if we attempt something that we can actually DO (and avoiding the temptation to minimalism!!) I would suggest as a start that getting an email each and everyday from this site (AmericanCatholic.org [goodnews@americancatholic.org]) with a short summary and comment on a Saint daily is a good relatively short and painless way to start! There are often some excellent quotes there. I have taken to copying and pasting some of them to a document on my computer for easy reference later.
Today's Saint is Saint Jane Frances de Chantal. I had never heard of her. Imagine that! Here is what St. Vincent de Paul had to say of her: "She was full of faith, yet all her life had been tormented by thoughts against it. While apparently enjoying the peace and easiness of mind of souls who have reached a high state of virtue, she suffered such interior trials that she often told me her mind was so filled with all sorts of temptations and abominations that she had to strive not to look within herself...But for all that suffering her face never lost its serenity, nor did she once relax in the fidelity God asked of her. And so I regard her as one of the holiest souls I have ever met on this earth" (Butler's Lives of the Saints)
Two things there...one,there it is, a saint with spiritual darkness and inner trials! Who does not relate to that? Two, a reference book should you want to look farther in to this and other saints.
So as we try in our various ways to walk a straighter path toward holiness let us help to clear the path of rocks and bushes by sharing what has helped us along the way....and please let us know by commenting in this blog if such things are helpful to you or not!
Luke
I subscribe to the Saint of the Day emails, and something that stands out to me about each and every one of them... they did not consider themselves holy while they were living, rather, quite the opposite. These are people who built hospitals, founded entire religious orders, started schools, turned entire cities back to Christ... and always, it all began with the most simple acts of obedience on their part: encouraging words to those around them, making time for prayer every day, making time for mass, loving their neighbor, caring for the poor... the things all of us are capable of doing daily. It's not so much in the trying or striving for the "big things" to be holy, it's the simple things every day that build on each other that lead to holiness. I don't think holiness is found by taking long strides of determination, but in taking the small steps of obedience at every opportunity.
ReplyDeleteWell said! I thought today's email about St. John Eudes was especially interesting, especially this paragraph:
ReplyDelete"In his parish mission work, John was disturbed by the sad condition of prostitutes who sought to escape their miserable life. Temporary shelters were found but arrangements were not satisfactory. A certain Madeleine Lamy, who had cared for several of the women, one day said to him, "Where are you off to now? To some church, I suppose, where you'll gaze at the images and think yourself pious. And all the time what is really wanted of you is a decent house for these poor creatures." The words, and the laughter of those present, struck deeply within him. The result was another new religious community, called the Sisters of Charity of the Refuge."
We all need Madeleine Lamys in our lives!
Luke
As I read “I suspect the authors thought they were doing the saints a favor by telling their story without blemish” I thought about our selves as parents. How often do we present ourselves without blemish? By living our lives like we don’t fail to our children is presenting a standard that they will never measure up to. How important is it for us to be able to present grace and forgiveness. How often do we say; I am sorry, I was wrong, please forgive me, and I love you. We have this great treasure in vessel of clay so that those around us know it’s not by our might or power but by the Lord’s spirit. I will never forget the day when our priest (back when he was a Chaplin) told the story of him losing his temper and throwing down a glass pitcher. What a great example of a saintly thing to share.
ReplyDeleteOne other thought I would like to share. We are all “called” to holiness. Get this “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” So if you want to go to Heaven you have to be holy. Thank God that it is his work and not something we can muster up our self. Well maybe it’s a partnership. My favorite holiness verse would be 1st Peter 1:13-16 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”. So God is holy in everything and expect us to be to.
Lastly I think St. Paul said repeatedly to follow his example as he followed Christ. We are actually told “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” Hebrews chapter 11 is a great study also in the life’s of the saints, it concludes in 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.