A spirituality that aims high

Introduction to the Devout Life
PART 3, Chapters 1 - 22

Group members: Ed, Anthony, Woojung and Linda

This next section in Part 3 is the part in which Francis speaks about the VIRTUES. Throughout the chapters he continually stresses the need for humility whenever we practice these virtues; we need to have ‘mortifications of the heart’ – these are the excellent types of virtues that Francis encourages us to strive for. We are challenged to select and practice the type of virtues that are more pleasing to God than to ourselves; to really challenge ourselves and not to judge other people who are trying to practice virtues even with imperfections; everyone has the faults of their virtues and the virtue of their faults.

Humility and gentleness, two of Francis’ most loved virtues are interwoven throughout this chapter. Francis’ humility is penetrating and realistic, he has so much to say on this matter and gives lots of examples that give the kernel of his thoughts so much better. This was particularly true of Chapter 6 which stirred up a lot of discussion in the group in trying to understand what Francis meant by ‘humility makes us love our abjection’. We came to the conclusion that our abjection was to accept our humiliations with joyful acceptance, which leads to a greater depth of humility. Putting these virtues into practice in our own lives (and Francis overwhelms us with so many), is not easy. He therefore reminds us that we need to be gentle with ourselves. This is consoling for us as we reflect on our human weaknesses.

From chapter 11 – 16 Francis explains how every Christian can practise the evangelical counsels; poverty, chastity and obedience according to one’s state of life. This is a splendid example of the universal call to holiness. These chapters present to Philotea and the reader, the high expectations of living these counsels in their choice of life. The main challenge underlying all of the practical examples of living these counsels is to have a ‘free heart’.

The final chapters we read, Chapter 17 – 22, focuses on Genuine Friendship. He looks at false friendship first and then true friendship and gives us advice on how to identify the difference. Genuine friendship is summed up beautifully in Francis’ words: ‘it comes from God, it tends to God, its bond is God, because it will last eternally in God.’ (P.195, 2nd paragraph). Francis also stresses the great need of communication that is necessary between friends; to be aware of our friend’s imperfections and that our friendship should help each other on the road of holiness; we are not to tolerate sins and ensure that God has primal place in the friendship. These words are very beautiful but also very challenging.

We have become more aware that Francis’ spirituality is a demanding one with high expectations. He operates at a higher level of the Spirit and has a holistic approach. He is very much a man of his time but also for our time, he has such a depth of understanding and acute awareness of the human condition and situations that we can find ourselves in, possibly because he had deep relationships with others where they shared their life stories and situations with him. Francis lived with God in Spirit and with people in their humanity. He loved God very much and people very much too. This was his gift which he left to the Church and us. Even today, Francis’ words penetrate our hearts and minds and call us to become holy.



Sr. Linda Cameron
Friday 7th November 2008