Group 1
Seung Yong Yi, Joseph Pampackal and Jim Heuser
October 13, 2009Bond of Perfection, chapter 2
(1) What strikes us from the reading?
The chapter reviews a period in which Jane grew spirituality a lot. Francis challenged her impulsiveness (clear from her writing the word “Jesus” on her own flesh). He slowed her down, very wisely. He adapted the spirituality he wanted her to learn according to the realities of her own state and condition with great wisdom.
It was for Jane a useful time in which she was able to settle practical matters, material and familial. But it was also a time of spiritual formation. And Francis skillfully guides her growth to new levels.
It was interesting to us that some assert that Francis did not give sufficient attention to, or perhaps understand, the importance of contemplative prayer (p. 79). A related footnote would indicate that he did, but that he saw contemplative prayer as linked with, and an outgrowth of, discursive prayer (p. 225).
While on the one hand the spirituality of Francis is presented as marked by douceur, gentleness, amiability, sweetness … it is rigorous in its call for the absolute surrender, the “annihilation”(cf. p. 69), of one’s own will. The cross is clearly not far beneath the surface. “The crucified Christ had to be experienced by her whole person” (p. 76). Francis calls Jane to a radical dying to self will …. e.g., in forgiving the man who killed her husband, in accepting the death of persons close to her.
The virtues of humility and simplicity are stressed, as well as love of neighbor linked with love of God. These will be hallmarks of the Visitation.
(2) How does this reading present something new?
The example of Francis guiding Jane in this period of her life shows that the director must know the one he is directing very well. It cannot be a matter of just applying some basically good principles willy-nilly. If the director does not know well the directee, she/he may do more harm than good. If Jane had remained with her first director (who appeared to know her needs less well), she perhaps would have become a completely different person!
(3) What was confirming for us in the reading?
We always say that Salesian spirituality arises from daily life. This chapter in a clear way confirmed that as we saw how Francis kept Jane focused on her present reality. (Cf. pp. 78-79, in particular the words of Francis to Jane: “… I am firm in my advice not to sow our neighbor’s field, however beautiful it might be, while our own needs sowing. A distracted heat is always dangerous: having your heart in one place and your work in another.”)
Growth in the spiritual life calls for a commitment of a person. It demands hard work and intentionality. The importance of a good spiritual director if one wants to really grow is confirmed as well. Intentionality of the person and the good accompaniment of another are two important elements in the development of the interior life.
Submitted by Jim Heuser
