Fr. James Martin’s Top Five Takeaways from ‘Gaudete et Exsultate’

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1Lord1Faith
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
1

1Lord1Faith

Guest
  1. Holiness means being yourself
  2. Everyday life can lead to holiness
  3. Two tendencies to avoid: Gnosticism and Pelagianism
  4. Be kind
  5. The Beatitudes are a roadmap for holiness

I think number 3 is again a little more relevant today because of the popularity of apologetics in recent years.

Did anything from Gaudete et Exsultate stand out to you?
 
Last edited:
We have countless opportunities in our daily lives to offer sacrifice and thus Live the Eucharist.
 
I read the whole document, and I agree with #2-5.

#1 I’m not so sure - Pope Francis made it clear holiness means being Christlike.
 
Well, the beatitudes are a road to HAPPINESS, not Holiness. At least, that’s what I thought.
 
It’s ambiguous without context. Unfortunately, in popular culture “being oneself” often refers to one’s state “as is.” This is generally used to justify whatever sins a person doesn’t want to give up or thinks it’s too hard to give up. “God made me this way, therefore I don’t need to change my behavior.”

On the other hand, Pope Francis gives the good meaning:

“32. Do not be afraid of holiness. It will take away none of your energy, vitality or joy.On the contrary, you will become what the Father had in mind when he created you, and you will be faithful to your deepest self.”

In other words, holiness is not our self “as-is” but rather our self completely ordered to the will of God, who has created us and destined us for holiness and salvation.
 
Last edited:
Spyridon said:
#1 I’m not so sure - Pope Francis made it clear holiness means being Christlike
Click to expand...
#1 may require a bit more context from Fr. Martin than the rest of the points on the list. He explains each point. The following is some of what he says about point #1.
The saints pray for us and give us examples of how to live, but we are not meant to be cookie-cutter versions of them. We are meant to be ourselves, and each believer is meant to “discern his or her our own path” and “bring out the very best of themselves.” As Thomas Merton said, “For me to be a saint means to be myself.”
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Holiness means being yourself as God had in mind when he created you.

To achieve this, a person must detach from all the ego driven agenda’s which create a false-self.

This is what is meant by Fr Martin’s #1 statement.

Jim
 
The word “holy,” derives from the word “wholeness.”

In other words, it means being whole, body and soul which is the result of being sanctified by God’s grace.

We’re all called to holiness, which really means being a whole person as God intended.

We can not become holy on our own, only God’s transforming grace can bring us to “holiness.”

Jim
 
Catholicism is about destroying our degenerate sinful human nature and becoming just like Christ.

Which requires love,humility and the ability to fight sin and lead others to Christ
 
Last edited:
Did you read Fr. Martin’s article? He doesn’t quote the pope at all. He offers a summary of the exhortation. What, specifically, has Fr. Martin misrepresented? That would be something of interest to me.

This is the first thing I’ve ever read by Fr. Martin. I know of him only by reputation, mostly along the lines of what you assert. I don’t doubt that there are valid criticisms of him, but does that make what he wrote in this particular instance wrong?
 
Well it was only a matter of time before Fr Martin would be attacked in here.

Jim
 
Using words like “weasel,” makes it an attack, not just a criticism.

Jim
 
Edward_H said:
What passes for attack here is the snow flake test. Drama and emotion and offense.

The world is becoming experts at claiming offense and attack.
Click to expand...
The Gunny wouldn’t be amused.

If every CAF member had to be trained by him, I have a feeling a lot of us would be on our knees choking our self.

 
So does your definition of adult conversation include insinuating that a priest is a homosexual? That, not your use of “weasel words”, is what I found offensive.
 
  1. Be kind
    … don’t gossip, stop judging and, most important, stop being cruel.
… “defamation and slander can become commonplace…since things can be said there that would be unacceptable in public discourse, as people look to compensate for their own discontent by lashing out at others.… In claiming to uphold other commandments, they completely ignore the eighth, which forbids bearing false witness or lying and ruthlessly vilifying others.”

To be holy, be kind.
Click to expand...
Remember this from the first weeks of his pontificate. Pertinent.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top