Jesus as the expectant mother

Introduction to the Devout Life
The Fifth Part, Chapters 1 – 18
Group 1 (John, Rey, Steve, Tien, Cecilia)

1. Five reflections for renewing our deliberate decisions
(From Chapters 10 to 14, p. 317-322).

After the exercise of the examination of conscience, St. Francis recommended five reflections as the subject of daily meditation. They are reflections on the excellence of the soul, the virtues, the examples of the saints, the love of Jesus for us and God’s eternal love for us. Central to these reflections is the reflection on Jesus’ love for us. We are struck by the use of the image of the woman preparing the cradle as a metaphor for Jesus readying the spiritual cradle for each devout soul.

2. Chapter 15, p.322

The image of the beautiful tree to represent the deliberate decisions is significant to us. It has been God who planted the seeds in our hearts and water it with his blood. Therefore, not any storm can uproot it. No vanity, no riches, no difficulties will turn us away from our resolutions.

3. Chapter 12, p.319

Learn from the examples of the saints. They were as we are. Remember what the saints did in their conditions of lives. Why can we not do as much according to our state of life for our firm resolution and holy affirmation?

4. Chapters 4 and 5, p. 310-313

The teachings on the examination of one’s state are practical and easy to follow for all states of life. There are useful reference points designed for the person seeking to live out the devout life.

5. Chapter 3, p. 309

St. Francis encouraged us to do the examination twice a day in different ways. We don’t have to do it on our knees always. We can have it while we are walking or even when we are in bed. The important thing is to make use of some time each day and night according to our possibilities.

6. Chapter 18, p. 326

It is necessary that every individual has to express his/her desire of wanting to be devout. Francis emphasized that not that you ‘are devout,’ but you ‘want to be devout.” It indicates that to be a devout person is a journey, a process. The way to live the journey out is through the ordinary and necessary actions which lead us to the love of God, the desire to frequent the Sacraments and to follow the advice of one’s spiritual director.

7. Chapter 17, p. 325

If we think that the exercises and counsels recommended by St. Francis are too many in number whoever wishes to practice them will have no time for anything else. The two kings David and St. Louis had given us a good example. They worked for the public good and did everything with great diligence. They had succeeded to fulfill their duties and at the same times, they also had sufficient time to practice the spiritual exercises.

Cecilia