Philothea is young, isn't she?

Introduction to the Devout Life
Part III – Chapters 31-41
Friday November 10, 2006
Anne, Javier, Marcel, Thien-An

Before we break into small groups for discussion, our professor Fr. Boenzi points out some very important hints that we should keep in mind. First of all, the real Philothea whom St. Francis addressed was a young adult, and so this name, Philothea, besides representing “the soul” also represents young adults. Secondly, this work was written in 1610. Lastly, the saint did not have the ambition to write a study of spirituality for the entire the world but he simply writes letters of spiritual guidance, as it were, to a particular group or persons whom he knew.

1. St. Francis shows that we need to have relaxation or recreation. However, we should distinguish the differences between relaxation and occupation. While relaxation helps us to rest and to gain energy, occupation makes us exhausted and drains our energy. He compares the necessity of relaxation as the bow without stretching. If the bow always bent, it will loose its power to stretch when it need it.
2. Charity should be a center of all our thoughts and activities. It is charity that challenges us to have compassion on those who are suffering while we are killing our long hours with our dancing. Don’t enjoy too much or attach to all the joys that are offered by the physical world for it might be the causes of the scattering our spirit of devotion and make our charity grow cold. (Ch. 33, paragraph 4)
3. In community life, charity should be involved and put in priority. The saint says, “When prudence and discretion counsel you, you may comply and give pleasure to a social gathering which you are attending. In fact, compliance being a form of charity makes good what is indifferent and permissible what is dangerous.” (Ch. 34, paragraph 1) The example of St. Elizabeth of Hungary sometime played and danced without harm to her vocation compare to the rocks around the lake Rietta grow when beaten by waves.
4. About great things and little things, St. Francis points out that “great occasions of serving God are rare, but little ones are common.” All the activities such as feeding the hungers, visiting the sick, cooking for the family are like flowers growing at the foot of the Cross. (Ch. 35)
5. We need to have a just and reasonable mind when interact with people around us. Self-love and self-center only creates confusing and conflict. To have a true reason and a good judge, we should put ourselves in the situations on our neighbors. The saint says, “We loose nothing by living generously, nobly, courteously and with a magnanimous, impartial and reasonable heart.” (Ch. 36, last paragraph) – This is one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the Right Judgment.
6. Lastly, we also learn that it is in vain when we desire something that is beyond our abilities. For instance, “It is an error to desire martyrdom without having enough courage to bear an insult,” says St. Francis (Ch. 37, 3rd paragraph). There are always many desires out there, and we should wisely choose a right thing and make it come true. Those kinds of desires that lead us to become greedier are rash and harmful.