Bulletins

April 15, 2018

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This past Monday, as we celebrated the transferred Solemnity of the Annunciation, the Holy See published an Apostolic Exhortation entitled Gaudete et Exsultate. Pope Francis describes it not as “a treatise on holiness, containing definitions and distinctions helpful for understanding this important subject, or a discussion of the various means of sanctification” but as an opportunity to “repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities”.

In 177 short paragraphs the Holy Father reflects on aspects of the call to holiness in the modern world. He points out the pitfalls of Gnosticism and Pelagianism, highlights the necessity of grace, expounds on the Beatitudes, emphasizes the Lord’s teaching on the separation of the sheep and the goats, details some characteristics of holiness such as perseverance, patience, meekness, joy, humor, boldness, passion, community, constant prayer and concludes with a warning about the real activity of the devil and the danger of lethargy:

158. The Christian life is a constant battle. We need strength and courage to withstand the temptations of the devil and to proclaim the Gospel. This battle is sweet, for it allows us to rejoice each time the Lord triumphs in our lives.

164. The path of holiness is a source of peace and joy, given to us by the Spirit. At the same time, it demands that we keep “our lamps lit” (Lk 12:35) and be attentive. “Abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thess 5:22). “Keep awake” (Mt 24:42; Mk 13:35). “Let us not fall asleep” (1 Thess 5:6). Those who think they commit no grievous sins against God’s law can fall into a state of dull lethargy. Since they see nothing serious to reproach themselves with, they fail to realize that their spiritual life has gradually turned lukewarm. They end up weakened and corrupted.

165. Spiritual corruption is worse than the fall of a sinner, for it is a comfortable and self-satisfied form of blindness. Everything then appears acceptable: deception, slander, egotism and other subtle forms of self-centredness, for “even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light” (2 Cor 11:14). So Solomon ended his days, whereas David, who sinned greatly, was able to make up for disgrace. Jesus warned us against this self-deception that easily leads to corruption. He spoke of a person freed from the devil who, convinced that his life was now in order, ended up being possessed by seven other evil spirits (cf. Lk 11:24-26). Another biblical text puts it bluntly: “The dog turns back to his own vomit” (2 Pet 2:22; cf. Pr 26:11).

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Ciao!

Fr. Christopher J. Pollard