Relational or goal-driven?

Bond of Perfection

Chapter Three

Discussion Group 2:

Taisali Leuluai

David Purdy

Duoc Le

1. What struck us and what’s new?

General

• Chapter is divided into 3 sections
• Author goes into defining love and friendship through history and traditions
• The second section the biography continues about Jane and the founding of her congregation, this is the time when she’s a novice
• “Epthemia” is a new term for us – lust
• “A friend can encourage the practice of Devout life”

The Language of Friendship

• Freedom of expressing one’s love…
• Friendship: Utilitarian, pleasure, virtue
• Francis suggested certain letters not to be seen (p151)
• Francis starts using suspicious language p151.
• The idea of particular friendships can descend into particular levels
• Discussion on the difference between nudity and nakedness

Suspicion

• Human concern, that his (Francis’s) letters to her might be misinterpreted
• Some of these letters the tone are risky
• Page 103: Confusion of the relationship
  

Further Reflections

• Do I have a Jane Chantal in my life?
• Why do we act so suspicious when we read this?  Why this suspicion, maybe because of our fallen human nature.
• Do I have that sort of supportive friendship in my life that I can say anything I want?

2. How is this new? (See above)

3. What was the reading confirming for you.

Spiritual friendship between two celibates is possible, but it can be risky. While intimacy is possible within spiritual friendships, it remains a challenge at many levels and can easily be misinterpreted.

Francis’ approach to women demonstrates that Francis knows the psychology of women. He recognizes that women are more relational then men, and are not primarily objective-oriented or goal-driven

Francis and Jane are real examples. They show us that such intimate and holy relationships can exist. The mere fact that these dear friends are both declared saints leads us to this conclusion.

Submitted by Duoc Van Le