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A shared spirituality

Spirituality defines one’s whole way of life. As such, spirituality can be defined as a way of being, seeing and acting. What is distinctive about Christian spirituality is that it is a way of being, seeing and acting that has its source in, and takes its inspiration from, the person and vision of Jesus Christ. It is a spirituality that has its source in our communion with God, and is forged in communion with others and with all of creation. It is a spirituality of relationships. Journal writing

It is not surprising therefore that the Second Vatican Council defined the essential nature of the Church as “mystery” and also as “a sacrament …of communion” [Lumen Gentium #1]. Thus, amidst the diversity of Christian spiritualities, what should be common to the spirituality of all Catholics is a spirituality of communion whose elements include:

• a belief in the Trinity of divine persons as the model for the communion of love which the Church is called to become
• a commitment to liturgy, especially the Eucharist, communal prayer and personal prayer
• a collaborative spirit
• an ecumenical commitment
• an inclusive attitude to the world
• a readiness to dialogue with all people of good will
• a passion for social justice and human rights
• a view of the natural environment as God’s creation to be loved and cared for.

The Gospel leads us into a real communion – with God in Jesus Christ and the Spirit, with our brothers and sisters in faith (past, present and future), with all men and women, and with the whole of creation. Thus the Church looks for the signs of God’s presence (‘signs of the times’) in the world and is prepared to dialogue with all. Human history and salvation history are not separate, nor in opposition. Christ’s plan of salvation unfolds in human history.

Cathedral

We seek to understand the world as the meeting place between God’s purposes and human hopes. This view of God as already in the world and the acceptance of the need to dialogue with all people of good will are features of a spirituality of communion and a vital aspect of the Church’s mission in the world.
Both Pope John Paul II [Novo Millennio Ineunte #43-45] and Archbishop Bathersby [Address, Synod Preparation Day 2] recognise that all sound pastoral planning must be anchored in, and motivated by, a spirituality of communion whereby the Holy Spirit calls each of us to:

• deepen our understanding of the person and vision of Jesus Christ
• build relationships with God, our brothers and sisters within the Christian community, and all people of good will
• engage in Christ’s mission by bringing the Gospel alive in the everyday circumstances of our world.

Jesus said: "When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times." [Matt 16:2-3]

The people of God believes that it is led by the Spirit of the Lord who fills the whole world. Moved by that faith it tries to discern in the events, the needs, and the longings which it shares with other men and women of our time, what may be genuine signs of the presence or of the purpose of God. For faith throws a new light on all things and makes known the full ideal which God has set for humanity ……..
[Gaudium et Spes (1965) #11]