CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

Transcription

1 CHRISTIAN SPIRITUALITY

2 Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, through the hands of Mary we offer you Jesus, the Incarnate Word, the Victim in whom you are well pleased. Moved by the love of the Holy Spirit in our hearts we offer ourselves completely with Him as living hosts. May we be a living sacrifice out of love for you in all the events of our lives, obtaining graces for the world, the church and especially your priests. Jesus, Savior of all people, Save them! Amen

3 Pre modern - theology grows out of the spiritual life Modern spirituality separated from theology; becomes interiorized Post Modern spirituality struggles to find its own voice and reunite with theology

4 History of Word 2nd 7th c. sacramental mysticism 5th 6th centuries incorporal or opposed to material influence) 7th 12th c. establishment of religious houses homilies/ scriptural/patristic commentaries 12th c. nature of soul 13th c. -- affective vs. speculative (Greek

5 New Directions 13 th Century Separation of spiritual life from theology (age of scholasticism) New interest in mystical theology of Dionysius Growth of affective mysticism and subjective mystical experience Experience of women Development of spiritual guidance Systematization of meditation & prayer

6 17 th 19 th Centuries 17th c. --France revival of word è devout life. 18th c. -- ascetical and mystical theology. 19th c. textbooks on spiritual theology à A. A. Tanguerey [ascetical vs. mystical life] - dualism - emphasis on perfection - individualistic Spirituality is originally a Christian term until late 19th c. it was exclusively a Roman Catholic term, prevalent in France.

7 20 th Century Spirituality = a dynamic and inclusive term (influence of psychology, sociology) not exclusive of Christian tradition not simply application of principles to life not concerned with perfection but complex mystery of human growth in context of living relation with Absolute not limited to interior life but seeks integration of all aspects of human life and experience whole person is directed to God

8 What is Christian Spirituality? Broadly defined as a conscious relationship with God, in Jesus Christ, through the indwelling of the Spirit and in the context of the community of believers. dynamic transformation towards the fullness of life. Spirituality is about how we stand before God in our everyday lives tradition, culture and world in which we live

9 Cont. According to Sandra Scheiders, Spirituality is: The experience of conscious involvement in the project of lifeintegration through self-transcendence toward the ultimate value one perceives.

10 Studying Spiritual Traditions Schools ex. Benedictine, Franciscan, Carmelite Ways ex. silence, prayer, devotions Traditions ex. Catholic, Orthodox, etc. Theological emphases ex. world-denying,

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12 Influences on Early Christian Spirituality Christianity Judaism Greek pagan religion

13 Growth of Christian Spirituality Gradual formation of structure of church on a Eucharistic basis Challenge of Gnosticism and the patristic response to it. Emergence of Christian Gnosticism and its importance for spirituality Martyrdom as a form of spirituality

14 Plotinus and Proclus used the verb muein to signify the closed eyes of one who is rapt in profound contemplation. The first Christians to use the word mystikos were the Alexandrians, Clement and Origen, who applied it to Scriptural exegesis and the discovery of the allegorical sense of the Scripture.

15 Christian sacraments, particularly the eucharist and baptism, were referred to as Christian mysteries. B. McGinn defines mysticism as "a direct or immediate consciousness of the presence (or absence) of God. R. Woods defines Christian mysticism as a "hidden encounter with God, perceived by the eyes of faith and available to all who have been initiated [i.e. baptized].

16 Themes in Christian Spirituality The Purgative Way A call to holiness Awakening and Conversion Transformation of Thought, Desire, and Action Sin Prayer Temptations and Trials

17 The Illuminative Way A call to holiness Stability Growth in Freedom Growth in Love Growth in Prayer Dependence on Grace A deeper Purification

18 The Unitive Way A call to holiness Deep Union Fruits of Union There is always More

19 CLOSING PRAYER Heavenly Father, through the hands of Mary we offer you Jesus, the Incarnate Word, the Victim in whom you are well pleased. Moved by the love of the Holy Spirit in our hearts we offer ourselves completely with Him as living hosts. May we be a living sacrifice out of love for you in all the events of our lives, obtaining graces for the world, the church and especially your priests. Jesus, Savior of all people, Save them! Amen