Novices reflecting on images in the Introduction to the Devout Life

Some of the images that come from the Introduction to the Devout Life impressed the Salesian novices, who made these comments:

I really enjoyed how Francis explains and demonstrates prayer, and then walks you through a process of prayer.

I appreciate his honesty. He seems to get rid of all the impracticalities. Chapter 17: how we must hear the word of God. He tells how the acts of saints cannot be totally imitated, but they are ideals that we can follow. We can aspire without romanticizing them. You can imitate them to a certain extent, but that was their life and we must lead our lives.

How to attend mass (14) reminded me of Vatican II. You are praying with the priest at Mass.

Devout person standing by a brook and looking at the stars (13): images of nature inspire us with thoughts of God. People today have trouble by compartmentalizing faith. God has so much more in our lives, and Francis brings it out of the Church to nature, creation, to human life.

The value of prayer: it is hard to convince this generation. Most people don't see the utility of it. 

Choosing virtues

Meekness toward our neighbor (3:8)
Travis
Images of chrism, balm, antidote to venom.

Meekness towards ourselves (3:9)
John

How useless it is to get upset over our own brokenness. Anger here opens the way to new anger and worsens our conditions. It is a sign of our own pride, not of our desire to grow in virtue. We cannot judge ourselves rightly when we are acting out of passion. The just judge acts with reason and wisdom, not anger and revenge.
Sometimes we become so focus on what bothers us and we don't recognize how we are falling in other areas. We become oblivious to other things.
Example of a loving father: a father's loving and gentle rebuke goes much further than a father who acts with rage.
Don't stay in the point of rebuke, but bring all back to God.
"It is no wonder that infirmity should be infirm, weakness weak, or misery wretched. Nevertheless, detest with all you rowers the offense God has received from you and with great courage and confidence in his mercy return to the path of virtue you had forsaken.

Patience (3:3)
Steve and Sean

Sometimes it is easy to recognize God's patience for us than God's love for us. This is the key to understanding God's role and ours.

You have a lifetime and a responsibility: everlasting joy will return to you by having brought Jesus into the world. Patience means bringing him to people now and always.

This is a virtue to choose because it is something that we always need. It is a virtue the strengthens faith because if focuses on the love of God. This gives me hope. It allows me to faithfully wait a resolution.

Genuine friendships (3:19)
Peter

Over the years we have many peers and relationships, and when we look at it we realize how much we have to grow. In your teen years, friends mean something different than now as adults.

The friendships that I valued a lot were those that gave me spiritual nourishment. I'm not speaking of affection as much as of nourishment. There was no attraction to that nourishment, but somehow I was able to experience the presence of God concretely, in a human way. Somehow through my encounter with them I was able to experience a profound wisdom in which I recognize God. It might be their compassion, their words, their wisdom, their humility. I am not addicted to the person for affection, but I have feelings of a spiritual connection. We communicate and find that at the core we sense a wonder and awe, a surrender, to something greater.

Did this happen by "chance", or is it something that I intentionally seek, asking God to make fruitful for me. There is a lot to unpack here.

Salesian novices on the Devout Life 1

The Salesian novices at St Joseph's in Rosemead are reviewing the Introduction to the Devout Life in these days. Here are some of the reflections on Part One of the Devout Life.

Some striking phrases:

"A devout life is a life that is sweet, happy, and lovable".  Part 1, chapter 2.

There is a sense of consolation that we receive in hearing these words.

On the necessity of a guide to begin and to make progress in devotion. In the age of self-help, we can forget how important it is to have someone to accompany you. Francis gives three criteria: the guide "must be full of charity, knowledge, and prudence, and if any one of these three qualities is lacking, there is danger" (Part 1, chapter 4). It is not just a matter of looking for a guide, or accepting one, but it is crucial to pray to God for a guide and to "bless his Divine Majesty". This is very practical in a discourse that may seem like its up there in the clouds. It is not only practical but a must.

Francis focuses on one's personal relationship with God. Compared to now, where we strive for success, he is not worried about success but about responding to God's will for them.

His language is very freeing, even more than uplifting. He can free a person from the fear of committing, or the fear of pursuing what one wants in one's heart. He urges and encourages one to live in a responsive way and build the kingdom of God. There is consistent energy in his writing.

Some challenges:

To know yourself well enough to separate yourself from affection for sin. This is very difficult today. Can you get rid of the affection for sin? Can you get to a place where you do not entertain the temptations.

Outward mortification is not easy today in our culture, especially when we are called to be out among people.

The language is very flowery compared to what we are used to. It is very emblematic.

Some applications:

The first meditation: meditating on creation and how our life is a gift. It is pleasing and easy, and contains deep truths.

Francis de Sales warns against a worldly view of mortification, and this is all to present in our day an age. People that are spiritual follow this line of thought today. They point out that Christianity and spiritual life are not just sad and difficult, but are built from a relationship with God and the joy that comes from living in God's presence.

Comparison with nature (the bees) work today.

Use of imagery to explain things, and the steps as he builds the approach. Devotion is not taken or grabbed, but is something that grows. Our understanding must therefore grow.

The call to be honest. Have patience: this does not happen overnight. Be honest and have a director, but know yourself and know your inclinations and work with it.

Rosemead, California