The better choice

Introduction to the Devout Life
Part I, Chapters 9-24
Group 3
(Anne, Tien-An, Javier, Marcel)
29 September 2006

Group discussion of part one of the Introduction to the Devout Life, chapters 9-24:

1. The ten meditation of St. Francis invite us to begin with the reflection on our presence here on earth. We are originally created by God from nothing. God makes us only for the reason of sharing his glory, love, and grace. Human life is progressive, and we are now midway between heaven and hell. We are not stationary. We are moving forward. We should make our own decision now by choosing heaven for our final destination and move toward it.

2. We should choose God and heaven for it is a better choice. Only in God and heaven is there eternal happiness. This world is a just temporary and uncertain for we do not know when we will leave it. We, therefore, should not become attached to it. Yet our families and friends pose a problem. Shall we abandon them now? In responding this, Francis challenges us that we “shall not love them except with a holy friendship that will last forever.” (Introduction to the Devout Life, 1:13).

3. From chapter 19, we have a view about the Sacrament of Confession that is different from our common view. St. Francis shows the contrast between sin and the power of the sacrament. He argues that the scorpion’s poison is very dangerous; but if we make it into oil, it becomes very curable. Sin is disgusting when we commit it, but confessing our sins will please and honor God. In and through this sacrament, we listen to God, renew ourselves, and know ourselves better.

4. St. Francis points out a few reasons why we should not become attached to venial sin. First of all, venial sin displeases God. If we don’t want to do anything to offend God, we should stay away from venial sin. Secondly, though venial sin does not have power to kill our spiritual life, it gradually spoils our devout life and numbs all our senses so that we no longer desire to practice charity.

Tien An