Spirituality

“You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

Definition

Spirituality is the human response to the restlessness that God has placed in the heart of each of us at creation. It describes the depth of the relationship a person has with God. Said another way, spirituality constitutes one’s life of faith.

Individual spirituality is the result of one’s efforts to channel this restlessness through the disciplines and habits we choose to live by. It is deepened when we strive to bring ourselves closer to God through conversation with God, and through a realization that God desires for us to be close to Him. Good things flow out from this to others in the form of community and a greater desire for peace and social justice.
Spirituality is possible through the action of the spirit of God who dwells within all of us. That is why we speak of a spiritual journey which involves an inner movement followed by a reaching out to others in the community.
Lay Spirituality promotes in some the desire to participate in lay leadership and lay ministry through a commitment to dialog, prayer, and a desire to bring others closer to God.

History

Since ancient times, human beings experienced an inner urge to converse with, and to listen to the “God” in their lives. Jesus, himself, entered into his Jewish culture’s spirituality and established a deep personal relationship with God, whom he called “Abba.”. We enter into a Judeo-Christian spirituality based on Jewish and Christian scripture and tradition. As Jesus said: “My mother and my brothers are those who ponder the word of God and act on it.” Luke 8:21.

Resources

Books

The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality by Ronald Rolheiser (Doubleday 1999)
Christian Spirituality--Themes from the Tradition by Lawrence S. Cunningham and Keith Egan (Paulist Press, 1996)
Everyday Simplicity: a Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth, by Robert Wicks (Sorin Books, 2000)
Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, by Henri Nouwen (Doubleday, 1986)

Articles

Christian Spirituality -- St. Anthony Messenger: Catholic Update (1988)
Are Our Images of God Growing? -- St. Anthony Messenger: Catholic Update (1991)

Websites

Nurturing Spirituality

Consider reading scripture and reflecting on it daily. Seek out Adult Spiritual Formation groups, or local Retreat House offerings through your local parish. Share your experiences with other VOTF members through our blog.

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	Spirituality “You have made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” Definition Spirituality is the human response to the restlessness that God has placed in the heart of each of us at creation. It describes the depth of the relationship a person has with God. Said another way, spirituality constitutes one’s life of faith. Individual spirituality is the result of one’s efforts to channel this restlessness through the disciplines and habits we choose to live by. It is deepened when we strive to bring ourselves closer to God through conversation with God, and through a realization that God desires for us to be close to Him. Good things flow out from this to others in the form of community and a greater desire for peace and social justice. Spirituality is possible through the action of the spirit of God who dwells within all of us. That is why we speak of a spiritual journey which involves an inner movement followed by a reaching out to others in the community. Lay Spirituality promotes in some the desire to participate in lay leadership and lay ministry through a commitment to dialog, prayer, and a desire to bring others closer to God. History Since ancient times, human beings experienced an inner urge to converse with, and to listen to the “God” in their lives. Jesus, himself, entered into his Jewish culture’s spirituality and established a deep personal relationship with God, whom he called “Abba.”. We enter into a Judeo-Christian spirituality based on Jewish and Christian scripture and tradition. As Jesus said: “My mother and my brothers are those who ponder the word of God and act on it.” Luke 8:21. Resources Books *The Holy Longing: The* *Search for a Christian Spirituality* by Ronald Rolheiser (Doubleday 1999) *Christian Spirituality--Themes from the Tradition* by Lawrence S. Cunningham and Keith Egan (Paulist Press, 1996) *Everyday Simplicity: a Practical Guide to Spiritual Growth,* by Robert Wicks (Sorin Books, 2000) *Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life,* by Henri Nouwen (Doubleday, 1986) Articles Christian Spirituality -- St. Anthony Messenger: Catholic Update (1988) Are Our Images of God Growing? -- St. Anthony Messenger: Catholic Update (1991) Websites http://spiritualorientations.com http://innerexplorations.com Nurturing Spirituality Consider reading scripture and reflecting on it daily. Seek out Adult Spiritual Formation groups, or local Retreat House offerings through your local parish. Share your experiences with other VOTF members through our blog.	VOTF™ Mission Statement To provide a prayerful voice, attentive to the Spirit, through which the Faithful can actively participate in the governance and guidance of the Catholic Church. Our Goals To support survivors of clergy sexual abuse To support priests of integrity To shape structural change within the Catholic Church.

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Spirituality

Definition

History

Resources

Nurturing Spirituality