Ch 16 Spirituality in Practice

What does the Christian way of spirituality give us?

We can only gain a new meaningful life or regeneration of present life through a continuous spiritual life founded in God. In the way of spirituality, we must face obstacles and challenges every day. The Christian way of spirituality gives us guidance to clear obstacles and helps us to continue a meaningful spiritual life.

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through prayer?

* Prayer: Prayer is critical to a successful spiritual life. In addition to community worship, we must have time for personal and family prayer in order to build spirituality. Many consider personal prayer as a time to submit their special needs and their short comings or sins before God. We must use personal prayer for self-evaluation in front of God and seek guidance and courage to face any experience in life. The family is a small Church, and family prayer helps increase the bond and trust among its members. A godly prayerful life will help defeat the grip of sins similar to a rocket rising into space breaking its grip on gravity.

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through scripture?

Jesus taught that we should live through every word that comes from the mouth of God. God created everything except for man by word of God which means that Word of God can give life. Jesus defeated Satan by word of God and we have the use the Word of God to eradicate Satan from our life. When we are away from the word of God, we become spiritually weak and are unable to handle difficult situations in life. The word of God rebukes, teaches, corrects, and instructs us in righteousness. We must read, hear, and learn the word of God to empower our spiritual life. Reading the Bible as part of daily personal time with God is instrumental in our spiritual growth and reading and sharing with others will allow for group discussions and spreading the word.

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through Lent, fasting and almsgiving.

Jesus Christ is the best example of fasting and lent. Christ fasted for 40 days in the beginning of his public ministry and defeated Satan and his temptations. Jesus demonstrates the purpose and mode of lent and fasting through His life. Fasting is not a diet or weight loss program and not self-punishment but a demonstration of our sincerity in repentance and willingness to live a godly life. During lent, by restricting food and worldly pleasure, we focus more on the soul through prayers and almsgiving. Fasting or practicing lent isn’t only what goes into our mouth but also what comes out of it. Fasting and lent also means we have to fast from unnecessary entertainment and worldly pleasures. Almsgiving is closely connected to lent and fasting. Whatever we give up, money , food, or anything we save, it should go to the needy as an act from our heart. Almsgiving or tithing is a way of thanksgiving to God. It is also a test of faith with heavenly blessings. Abraham proved his faith to God by tithing to the high priest Melchizedek.

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through sacramental life?

This is an essential part for the growth of our spiritual life. The Church wants its believers to attend the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist. Eucharist means thanksgiving and therefore, we have to participate in sacraments not as an obligation or obeying a law, but to submit our thanksgiving to God for all his blessings. Sacraments are the continuation of God’s work and it is our privilege and duty towards God to lead a sacramental life in order to continue His work. We share God’s grace by participating in sacraments and receive blessings by the power of God who is present in all sacraments. All the sacraments affect our personal relationship to God and one another and by participating in sacraments we become closer to God and receive Holy Spirit.

What does Eucharist mean?

thanksgiving

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through true remorse and reconciliation.

Self-awareness of actions and consequences help us find effective ways to avoid sin. Most people limit their perception of confession as a sacrament to get purification so that they can receive Holy Communion. However, sin isn’t only against God, it’s also against our fellow beings and true remorse lead us to reconcile with God and fellow beings. Forgiveness from God and others is the real effect of true remorse and true confession. Genuine remorse helps us eradicate sin but we have to plant a virtue in its place

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through spirituality in married life.

The sacrament of marriage continues through the marital life. Life after the wedding day is considered sacramental life where the couple becomes the celebrant and God is present. Couple’s love, affection, deeds, prayerful life, and their model life is considered as the visual signs of their holy life. Many couples feel emptiness in their life because they lack connection with the Creator of married life. Marriage is a spiritual relationship that works best when connected to God who instituted it. We must walk with Him, obey His Scripture, and pray as individual and couple.

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through serving others?

This is a sign of spirituality and a gift from God. Genuine service is an act done with love and only people who have humility and are committed to God can do real service to others. Some people serve for the sake of prestige and to be known for being righteous, or abandonment from a group, or as slaves to a master. We all serve for our own reasons whether that be ego, fear, legal obligation, or real Christian love. St. Paul served Christ with all his heart and with true spirit and that he is thankful and has a clear conscience when serving. St. Paul advises us to offer our body as a living sacrifice to God.

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through virtues and beatitudes.

The beatitudes in St. Mathew 5:3-10 are the steps to virtues, identified as humility, kindness, charity, chastity, temperance, patience, and diligence. The poor inspirit are the symbol of humility and they realized that all gifts including Kingdom of God are the grace of God. Mourning is a symbol of repentance and suffering and results in comfort from God. The practice of suffering and mourning for ourselves and others empowers our spiritual life and the practice of meekness gives inheritance of earth and helps to enjoy a peaceful life. Jesus assured that a person who hungers and thirsts for justice shall be satisfied. Kindness constitutes many spiritual practices of our day. Feeding the hungry, giving clothes and shelter to the needy, and provide comfort to the sick stem from kindness. Chastity and temperance come from a pure heart. Self-control, honesty, and a mind free from selfish intentions and worldly desires are the main characteristics of a pure heart. Only the person who practices patience has ability to make peace. Peacemakers reconcile with everyone including the sinful and want good relations with others. The practice of diligence in the midst of affliction and persecution makes us worthy to receive the Kingdom of God.

How do we lead a Christian spiritual life through sickness and death.

Many try to avoid thoughts of sickness and death as it leads to many questions about the meaning of life after death. Some may be doubtful in their faith in God, religious practices, prayers and sacraments. Family members, friends, relatives, and priests need to help physically, mentally, and spiritually at the time of serious illness of death. Caregivers can empower a person who is ill to accept the pain of suffering and death with hope. Prayerful atmosphere helps a dying person to overcome fear, doubts, and all unwanted thoughts in his/her mind. We have the responsibility to make our loved one’s death a spiritual experience to both the dying and caregivers as Christians.