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The Rich Man  Mark 10:17 |
Phase One of Our Model |
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As
Jesus was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and
asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” vs. 17 |
Every practicing Catholic has as their main objective
to go to heaven when they die. |
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Jesus
answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. vs. 18 |
Some more than others grow in their understanding of
just who Jesus is – “the Way, the Truth, the Life”. |
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You
know the commandments: ‘You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery;
you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; you shall not defraud;
honor your father and your mother.’” vs. 19 |
Every Catholic makes The Profession of Faith at
baptism, either by their own voice or that of their parents for them as a
baby. (Renewed by them every Easter) |
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He
replied and said to him, “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my
youth.” vs. 20 |
With fidelity to the Commandments and the Precepts of
the Church all Catholics measure their progress. |
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Jesus,
looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go,
sell what you have, and give to [the] poor and you will have treasure in
heaven; then come, follow me.” vs. 21 |
However, a Catholic may have also set their heart on
attaining prosperity through diligence and hard work. BUT … what of the spiritual life with its call
to holiness by detachment - Poverty,
Chastity, Surrender to Christ? |
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At
that statement his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many
possessions. vs. 22 |
Big question – do I want more – am I ready to forsake
the treasures of my will in favour of the treasure of His will ? |
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The six elements of our model grew out of our
experience with the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
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One misguided view of religion is that it is an
“add-on”, a very personal choice – “My Way”, as the song goes.
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An authentic Spiritual Life is embraced as my
vocation. The reason God put me on this earth is to become holy.
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When one entered the religious life they
surrendered their choosing to His choice, given through community.
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Ask yourself this question, do I want more?
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Therefore
prepare your minds for action. Be sober-minded. Set your hope fully on the
grace to be given you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children,
do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance. But just as He who
called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: “Be holy,
because I am holy.”( Leviticus 11:44–45; Leviticus 19:2) – 1 Peter
1:13
