Archive - September, 2009

Pope Benedict promotes Spiritual Direction

September 23, 2009 in Church, Pope Benedict XVI with 0 Comments

Stone PathwayPope Benedict XVI last week promoted the practice of spiritual direction. Spiritual direction, basically, is having a coach to help you progress on your spiritual journey. As much as living the Christian life seems simple and easy enough at first glance, when the rubber hits the road, the journey has plenty of pitfalls, tribulations, challenges and moments of losing focus.

A spiritual director, many times a priest but by no means limited to the priestly type, has a goal to remind you of your committment to growing closer to God and your call to respond to the grace given to you through your actions in the world. Direction usually takes place in an hour-long session that has elements of prayer, faith and life-event sharing, listening, laughing and, often enough, those moments of being completely stuck upside the head with a 2×4. The direction should challenge you, motivate you, but most importantly, help you remain faithful to the commitment that we undertake as believers.

Personally, spiritual direction is an exercise that I do not take on often enough–much like physical exercise– I know I need to do it more, but always seem to have “something better” to do. Sometimes that legitimate, but more often than not, it’s just an excuse. One of the first things that many hear in spiritual direction is that you won’t “fall into” a better relationship with God. You must be intentional about it. You have to make time for God. God is there for you always, ready to give you as much time as needed, but He can’t give you something you won’t accept. Funny how free will works, eh?

I encourage everyone to look into a spiritual director. Ask your local priest if your diocese has a list of qualified directors (the Diocese of Austin does) or if there’s a priest/deacon/lay minister that you would like to try out, ask them. Not every director is right for every person. If it doesn’t work for you, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with parting ways and finding a director that is a better fit for you… it took me a few times to get it right.

You don’t have to go it alone; get a coach.

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Book Review: Christianity in Crisis – The 21st Century

September 13, 2009 in Book Reviews with 0 Comments

I recently read Christianity in Crisis: The 21st Century by Hank Hanegraaf as part of a blogger reviewers program with Thomas Nelson Publishing.

The majority of the book included an item-by-item rebuttal of many “Christian” preachers that promote a Gospel message that is not congruent with the actual New Testament, including Texan Joel Osteen. I thought that this breakdown was a bit longer than it needed to be; however, if you’re a subscriber to one of religions quasi-based on the Gospel or are trying to engage someone in debate who is a subscriber, Mr. Hanegraaf’s detail will be very much appreciated.

The final section of the book attempted to answer the question “So, if all of these ways are wrong, what’s the right way?” While a fine attempt, I believe the author was too limited in his scope of what is a proper way to practice Christianity. The author’s assessment resulted in what seems to be the typical response by fundamentalists (i.e. “a Bible-believing church”, which is a veiled attempt to basically say any church that acknowledges the role of Tradition is excluded).

The Catholic Church, the faith I subscribe to, is a Bible-believing church, by our own understanding of the role of Scripture and Tradition; however, from my upbringing in the Bible Belt, I know far too many would exclude me from grace for this assessment. I believe the author’s work would be more inclusive, accurate and provide greater assistance to the Christian world trying to faithfully following the message of Jesus Christ in a world where prosperity and faith preachers derail authentic Christian thought far too often.

With that limitation noted, I still believe the majority of the text is quite fine and worth a read. Additionally, I think a shorter, summarized version would also make for a great tool for the armchair theologians in the United States who are trying to get a quicker answer to why these preachers “don’t seem right” to them.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: http://cmp.ly/2

Pope Benedict XVI’s Prayer Intentions for September

September 1, 2009 in Pope Benedict XVI with 0 Comments

His general intention is “That the word of God may be better known,
welcomed and lived as the source of freedom and joy.”

His mission intention is “That Christians in Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar, who
often meet with great difficulties, may not be discourage from
announcing the Gospel to their brothers, trusting in the strength of
the Holy Spirit.”