INTRODUCTION
In chapter 4 of Apostolic Exortation, Gaudete Et Exsultate, Rejoice and Be Glad, Call to Holiness, Pope Francis notes some of the signs of holiness in today’s world despite all the secular and pagan influence. Direct quotes of Pope Francis are italicized and in quotation marks.
CHAPTER FOUR
SIGNS OF HOLINESS IN TODAY’S WORLD
PERSEVERANCE, PATIENCE AND MEEKNESS
The first of these great signs is solid grounding in the God who loves and sustains us. This source of inner strength enables us to persevere amid life’s ups and downs,….to endure hostility, betrayal and failings on the part of others. “If God is for us, who is against us?” (Rom 8:31):
Saint Paul bade the Romans not to repay evil for evil (cf. Rom 12:17), not to seek revenge (v. 19), and not to be overcome by evil, but instead to “overcome evil with good” (v. 21).
We need to recognize and combat our aggressive and selfish inclinations, and not let them take root. “Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger” (Eph 4:26). Have no anxiety about anything… let your requests be made known to God. And “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts”…” (Phil 4:6-7).
Saints do not waste energy complaining about the failings of others; they hold their tongue before the faults of their brothers and sisters, and avoid the verbal violence that demeans and mistreats others. The world may mock such behavior but Christ encourages us to follow in His footsteps, not the world. “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Pet 2:21).
JOY AND A SENSE OF HUMOUR
The saints are joyful and full of good humour. The Christian life is “joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom 14:17), for “the necessary result of the love of charity is joy. Having received the beautiful gift of God’s word, we embrace it “in much affliction, with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thess 1:6) “Rejoice in the Lord always; I say it again, rejoice!” (Phil 4:4).
After his resurrection, wherever the disciples went, there was “much joy” (Acts 8:8). Jesus assures us: “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy… I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn 16:20.22).
Hard times may come, when the cross casts its shadow, yet nothing can destroy the supernatural joy that always endures, even as a flicker of light, born of our personal certainty. that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved” Joy brings deep security, serene hope and a spiritual fulfilment that the world cannot understand or appreciate.
Christian joy is usually accompanied by a sense of humour. Ill humour is no sign of holiness. We receive so much from the Lord “for our enjoyment” (1 Tim 6:17), that sadness can be a sign of ingratitude.
We can get so caught up in ourselves that we are unable to recognize God’s gifts. Let us rather imitate St. Paul,” “I have learned to be content with what I have” (Phil 4:11).
Joy in communion with others that shares and is shared in giving and receiving, increases our capacity for Joy since it makes us capable of rejoicing in the good of others. “Rejoice with those who rejoice” (Rom12:15).
BOLDNESS AND PASSION
Holiness is also boldness and passion, an impulse to evangelize and to leave a mark in this world.. How often we are tempted to keep close to the shore! Yet the Lord calls us to put out into the deep and let down our nets (cf. Lk 5:4). He bids us spend our lives in his service. Clinging to him, we are inspired to put all our charisms (gifts) at the service of others. “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1 Cor 9:16).
God is eternal newness. He impels us constantly to set out anew, to pass beyond what is familiar, to the fringes and beyond. He takes us to where humanity is most wounded, where men and women, continue to seek an answer to the question of life’s meaning. God is fearless! He is always greater than our plans and schemes.
Complacency is seductive; it tells us that there is no point in trying to change things….because this is the way things have always been…. By force of habit we no longer stand up to evil. We “let things be”, or as others have decided they ought to be…. let us allow the Lord to rouse us from our torpor…, Let us rethink our usual way of doing things; let us open our eyes and ears, and above all our hearts, so as not to be complacent…
Let us ask the Lord for the grace to respond eagerly and positively when the Spirit calls us to take a step forward. Let us ask for the apostolic courage to share the Gospel with others, stop trying to make our Christian life a museum of memories. In this way, the Church will not stand still, but constantly welcome the Lord’s surprises.
IN COMMUNITY
Growth in holiness is a journey in community, side by side with others. We learn from others. We receive support and affirmation and we support others along the Way. Some are religious communities. Some are married couples and their families. Living and working alongside others is surely a means of developing and practicing holiness, surely a path of spiritual growth.
St. John of the Cross told his followers, “.You are living with others in order to be fashioned and tried”. We all need a little pruning, some more than others.
Contrary to the growing consumerist individualism that tends to isolate us in a quest for well-being apart from others, our path to holiness can only make us identify all the more with Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” (Jn 17:21). Living holiness in community is made up of small everyday things. It was also true in the time of Jesus.
Here are just a few examples of Jesus paying attention to small details of needs of those around him.
The little detail that wine was running out at a party.
The little detail that one sheep was missing.
The little detail of noticing the widow who offered her two small coins.
The little detail of having spare oil for the lamps, should the bridegroom delay.
The little detail of asking the disciples how many loaves of bread they had.
The little detail of having a fire burning and a fish cooking as he waited for the disciples at daybreak.
IN CONSTANT PRAYER
In this section, Pope Francis urges us to be people of constant prayer, echoing St. Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, “We urge you, brothers… support the weak, be patient with all…always seek what is good for each other and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing.” (I Thes: 17)
Pope Francis quotes St. John of the Cross, ” Try to be continuous in prayer, Whether you eat, drink, talk with others, or do anything, always go to God and attach your heart to him” Being in this frame of mindset, we will always form our world view and choices with the mind of God. In the end our desire for God will find its expression in our daily lives.
Pope Francis then notes, “For this to happen, however, some moments spent alone with God are also necessary. Trust-filled prayer is a response of a heart open to encountering God face to face, where all is peaceful and the quiet voice of the Lord can be heard in the midst of silence….
So let me ask you: Are there moments when you place yourself quietly in the Lord’s presence, when you calmly spend time with him, when you bask in his gaze? Do you let his fire inflame your heart? Unless you let him warm you more and more with his love and tenderness, you will not catch fire. How will you then be able to set the hearts of others on fire by your words and witness?
In addition to prayers of adoration and thanksgiving, Pope Francis encourages prayers of supplication. “These prayers are also welcomed by God and acknowledges our complete trust and dependence on our Creator.”
“Let us not downplay prayer of petition, which so often calms our hearts and helps us persevere in hope. Prayer of intercession has particular value, for it is an act of trust in God and, at the same time, an expression of love for our neighbour. Intercessory prayer is an expression of our fraternal concern for others, since we are able to embrace their lives, their deepest troubles, and their loftiest dreams.”
As soon as I believed that there was a God,
I understood that I could do nothing
other than to live for him”.
Blessed Charles de Foucauld,
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