Spirituality and Discipleship which TransformsA Story
World War I devastated Europe. Some sixteen million men died during that conflict. Nancy Cooper, a young woman at the time, remarked, “By the end of 1916, every boy I had ever danced with was dead.” The leaders of these nations were, for the most part, members of the same extended royal family. Most of the soldiers involved in the war were Christian. How could such a war happen? |
Indeed a person can point to specific historical events such as some aspects of the Crusades or the Inquisition and say, "What were the Christians or what were the leaders of the Churches thinking at these times? These actions do not conform at all to the Gospel message of Love." A similar question could be raised about almost every other religous group as well.
Transformation (Changing Lives)
Religion can be manipulated by individuals or political leaders for their own purposes. Ihn 2000, St. Pope John Paul II, on behalf of the Catholic Church acknowledge and aopolgized for her wrongdoings. The Catholic Church recognizes that she is always in need of repentance and renewal. While the Church has and continues to bring much good to our world, the fundamental question remains, “Why hasn’t the Gospel message been more transformative? Unless we learn to transform the wounds, pains and sorrows of life, we will transmit them to others, almost always in some form of violence.
Gradually and slowly, one person and one generation at a time, the Gospel message has and continues to make a positive difference in our world. The challenge and the goal is to let one’s choice of being a disciple of the Risen Christ be transformative for one's self and then for family, friends, neighbors and fianlly the entire world.
Discipleship
To become and live as a Disciple of the Risen Christ is to embrace and practice the way of life taught by Jesus. One matures as his disciples by:
A Catholic
A Catholic is a disciple of the Risen Christ but one who sees, celebrates and lives life in a particular way. The maturing Catholic chooses to live out his or her discipleship in a community
> with a universal mission of inviting, supporting and encouraging everyone in the world to become
disciples by growing in love and finding the fullness of love in Christ,
> and to do so in a community which is
* Sacramental in nature, and
* Hierarchical, that is, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and bishops,
(a) in its creedal teachings,
(b) celebration of worship,
(c) ways of living a virtuous and moral life (righteousness) and
(d) in its organizational structure.
Being Catholic
provides a person with a uniquely focused and integrated way of Seeing, Celebrating and Living Life as a Faithful Disciple, Grateful Steward and Active Evangelist of the Risen Christ. When truly lived, this Way of Life:
Maturing
Maturing as a disciple of the Risen Christ is a life-long journey. It is the Holy Spirit who enlightens, guides, strengthens and consoles each person on the journey to mature discipleship.
It is useful to consider three different stages of maturing as a disciple.
Every Great Religion has the potential of helping its members grow and mature in developing a loving and life giving relationship with God, Others, the World of Nature and Self. While religions ofthen share some common elements and agreed upon values, there are also significant differences even among the world’s great religions. These become apparent as one begins to ask and answer questions like the following.
Religion can be manipulated by individuals or political leaders for their own purposes. Ihn 2000, St. Pope John Paul II, on behalf of the Catholic Church acknowledge and aopolgized for her wrongdoings. The Catholic Church recognizes that she is always in need of repentance and renewal. While the Church has and continues to bring much good to our world, the fundamental question remains, “Why hasn’t the Gospel message been more transformative? Unless we learn to transform the wounds, pains and sorrows of life, we will transmit them to others, almost always in some form of violence.
Gradually and slowly, one person and one generation at a time, the Gospel message has and continues to make a positive difference in our world. The challenge and the goal is to let one’s choice of being a disciple of the Risen Christ be transformative for one's self and then for family, friends, neighbors and fianlly the entire world.
Discipleship
To become and live as a Disciple of the Risen Christ is to embrace and practice the way of life taught by Jesus. One matures as his disciples by:
- Coming to know, love, trust and thank God as he did;
- Entering into a community of people as he did;
- Embracing people, especially those in need, with care and compassion as he did;
- Rejoicing in the beauty and goodness of nature and using its gifts as he did;
- Confronting life and death with hope as he did; and
- Promoting the Kingdom of God, God’s Way of Life, the way of self-giving and life-giving Love, as he did.
A Catholic
A Catholic is a disciple of the Risen Christ but one who sees, celebrates and lives life in a particular way. The maturing Catholic chooses to live out his or her discipleship in a community
> with a universal mission of inviting, supporting and encouraging everyone in the world to become
disciples by growing in love and finding the fullness of love in Christ,
> and to do so in a community which is
* Sacramental in nature, and
* Hierarchical, that is, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and bishops,
(a) in its creedal teachings,
(b) celebration of worship,
(c) ways of living a virtuous and moral life (righteousness) and
(d) in its organizational structure.
Being Catholic
provides a person with a uniquely focused and integrated way of Seeing, Celebrating and Living Life as a Faithful Disciple, Grateful Steward and Active Evangelist of the Risen Christ. When truly lived, this Way of Life:
- provides one with a joy, peace and life which no one nor any event can take away;
- inspires one to share Christ’s Way of Life with others and so fosters the transformation of self, society and the world, and;
- leads to the fullness of life without end.
Maturing
Maturing as a disciple of the Risen Christ is a life-long journey. It is the Holy Spirit who enlightens, guides, strengthens and consoles each person on the journey to mature discipleship.
It is useful to consider three different stages of maturing as a disciple.
- Stage 1 - Essential discipleship during which time a person really turns away from self-centeredness and brings focus to his or her life.
- Stage 2 - Mature discipleship is a time of consistency and faithfulness in following Jesus.
- Stage 3 - Total discipleship, a time of peace and surrender to the mystery of life and God’s steadfast love.
Every Great Religion has the potential of helping its members grow and mature in developing a loving and life giving relationship with God, Others, the World of Nature and Self. While religions ofthen share some common elements and agreed upon values, there are also significant differences even among the world’s great religions. These become apparent as one begins to ask and answer questions like the following.
- Who is the human person? Can a person find meaning and happiness in this life?
- Is the Ultimate (God) for us, against us or indifferent to us? In what way is this manifested?
- Who is Jesus Christ? In what way is Jesus the same as or different from other great religious leaders like, Moses, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.?
- Who is the Holy Spirit?
- What is the role of Community (family, Church, Government, etc. ) in life?
- What is unique about the Catholic Church?
- What does it mean to live the Good Life?
- What happens after Death?