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Monday, April 9, 2018

John Chuchman's Reflection on Pope Francis' Call to Holiness

I share the words of Francis newest exhortation that resonated with me:
All are called to holiness
each in his or her own way.

It is important that
each one discern his or her
own path,
that they bring out the very best of themselves.

St John of the Cross
preferred to avoid hard and fast rules 
for all.

We are all called to be holy
by living our lives in love.

Do not abandon the path of love.

Everything
can be accepted 
ad integrated into our life
and become part of our path
to holiness.

Every moment
can be an expression
of self-sacrificing love.

When somebody
has an answer for every question,
it is a sign 
they are not on the right road.

God
is mysteriously present
in the life
of every person.

There legitimately coexist
different ways
of interpreting many aspects
of Church doctrine.

Doctrine
is not a closed system
devoid of the dynamic capacity
to pose questions,
doubts, inquiries.

Theology and Holiness
are inseparable.

      We need to acknowledge
jubilantly
that our life
is essentially
a gift
and
Freedom a grace.

The life of the Church
can become a museum piece
or a possession of a select few.
This can occur
when Christians give excessive importance
to rules, customs, or ways of acting.

Love is the fulfillment of the law.

In welcoming the stranger,
we welcome Jesus.

The ultimate criterion
on which our lives will be judged
is what we have done for others.

Nothing can destroy
the supernatural Joy
that adapts and changes.

Do not deprive yourself
of a happy day.

Holiness is boldness
to leave a mark on this world,
boldness, enthusiasm, 
the freedom to speak out.

God is eternal newness,
impelling us constantly
to set out anew,
beyond what is familiar,
to the fringes,
and beyond.

Complacency is seductive,
telling us
there is no point in trying to change things,
that there is nothing we can do
because this is the way things have always been.

Let us rethink
our usual ways of doing things,
so as not to be complacent
about things as they are.

Stop trying to make our Christian life
a museum of memories.

Along the journey,
the cultivation of all that is good,
progress in the spiritual life
and growth in love
are the best counterbalance to evil.

Those who remain neutral
will never hold out.

Discernment
seeks a glimpse
of the unique and mysterious plan
God has for each of us.

Prayerful Discernment
must be born of a readiness to Listen,
to God and to others,
to reality itself
which always challenges us
in new ways.

It is not a matter of
applying rules
or repeating what was done in the past.
The discernment of spirits
liberated us from rigidity.

Happiness is a paradox.

No areas in life
can be off limits.

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