Spirituality can be broadly defined as a search for the sacred and set apart from the ordinary and worthy of veneration. The term spirituality has changed numerous times the ages, and is often separated from religion and by some is seen as a blend of humanistic psychology with mystical and esoteric traditions, and by some aimed at personal well being and development.
Spirituality can come not only through the practice of traditional organized religions but also through other movements and, by some accounts, is associated with mental health, inner peace, one’s mental health, and so forth. It could be suggested that spirituality could lead to finding purpose and meaning in a person’s life. According to some, it denotes the realm of inner life, purity of motives, affections, inner dispositions, the psychology of one’s spiritual life, or analysis of feelings.
In some of the major religions of the world, it is noted:
- Judaism is known for a variety of observances, including ethical rules, prayers, Torah reading, dietary laws, pilgrimages, and more.
- Christianity, spirituality is the practice of living out personal acts of faith and acceptance of faith. Christians are also expected to pray together at mass, but there are many forms of spirituality as well as private prayer.
- Islam has five pillars or five basic acts which are essential for all believers and serves as a framework for their belief. They are the creed, daily prayer, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage.
To me, this seems to be essential in every religion and tradition that I have studied and plays an essential part in everyone’s life regardless of what religion (or not) one believes in and follows. There are some who choose to define themselves as spiritual but not religious, yet those who do seem to believe in the existence of different spiritual paths and emphasize finding one’s own path to spirituality.
Also an interesting observation to note is that personal well-being (physically and emotionally) appears to be an important facet that should work closely to develop inner peace and set a foundation of happiness and cause a variety of positive health outcomes.
Spirituality emphasizes ideals of one’s moral character/qualities as love, compassion patience, tolerance, forgiveness, contentment, responsibility, harmony and concern for others. This fact helps to make us each a unique individual that we are from birth and continue fine tuning all of our lives.
Religion’s definition is set as Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
We all pray, and yet people ask what prayer is. We all pray in churches, temples, synagogues. But we can also pray to God, Allah, Jehovah, or whoever is our spiritual leader in other places as well; these can include home, in the car, outside walking around, at the office (albeit quietly), anywhere.
Prayer is our direct line with heaven. Prayer is a communication process that allows us to talk to God! He wants us to communicate with Him, like a person-to-person phone call. Cell phones and other devices have become a necessity to some people in today’s society. We have bluetooth devices, blackberries, and talking computers! These are means of communication that allow two or more people to interact, discuss, and respond to one another.
To many people, prayer seems complicated, but it is simply talking to God. There is something I have always heard, “Give your problems to God; he’ll be up all night anyway.” Know with confidence that God can hear you when you pray, so open that line of communication! Pray, knowing that no matter how far you roam, your connection with Him can never be lost!
Yet different, the Christian religions (Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, Presbyterian, Anglican, and so forth) have similarities that are inherent in all of them: similar prayers, traditions, and teachings. But each is unique in its own way. The wording and hymns may be a little different in a church other than what one is used to, and the architecture of the church set is a little different, but you grow and learn from visiting other denominations.
It’s all part of the experience of life and it helps you grow as an individual. Even if you relocate to a different area, the best thing you can do is check out several different churches (whichever faith you follow) to find out which one you’d be most comfortable attending and becoming a part of. By this, I mean the one that is closest to where you live, which may or may not be the best fit for you. I know this from experience.
When I moved nearly 30 years ago from New York State, I was fortunate that the church I attended was only ½ block from where I lived. I got involved from day one with different things they had that I enjoyed doing, such as teaching Sunday school. After a few years, I moved 10 miles from there and started to attend a church near where I had moved, but ultimately, I returned to the other church that I had been going to prior to moving 10 miles away. I was and am happier there.
This is the point; you have to be happy with where you go to church.
Below is a list of some things that all Christians believe:
1. God created all that is seen and unseen
Christians believe that God is the creator of all people, the world, the universe, and everything seen and unseen.
2. Jesus is the Son of God and is one with God
Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that he is one with God, and that he was sent here for our salvation.
3. Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary
Christians believe that Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit of God and born through the Virgin Mary.
4. Jesus suffered and was crucified
Jesus suffered and died for our sins. Jesus was falsely accused of being an anti-government rebel, and, as explained in Matthew 27:23-56, he was brought to Pontius Pilate to be executed through crucifixion. He was mocked, beaten, taunted, and crucified by the Romans.
5. Jesus died and was buried
Jesus died after being crucified. He was buried in a tomb owned by a man named Joseph of Arimathea, who was a follower of Jesus.
In the Gospel of St. Matthew, we are told that: “As evening approached, Joseph went to Pilate, asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.”
6. Jesus rose again (the Resurrection)
Jesus was resurrected, which means that he died and was brought back to life again.
The resurrection of Jesus is described in various places throughout the Bible’s New Testament. As explained in the Bible, all people who die before Judgment Day will be resurrected. The people who believe in Jesus will be resurrected to eternal life in Heaven. Those who do not believe in Jesus will be condemned, eternally, by their own sins.
7. Jesus ascended into Heaven
Jesus ascended into Heaven and was seated at the right hand of God the Father.
This happened after Jesus was resurrected. We, too, can go to Heaven through faith in Jesus Christ.
8. Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead
Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
Jesus is quoted as saying that he will return: “At that time, the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.”
9. Anyone can have salvation
All people may receive salvation in the name of Jesus Christ.
The Bible says: “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all (rich, poor, no matter where you live, skin color, creed, etc.) and richly blesses all who call on him.”
10. People who repent of their sins will be forgiven
People are forgiven and saved if they confess their sins and confess their belief in the resurrection of Jesus
We learn in the Gospel of St. John: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
When I was in Rome, Italy, in the fall of 2012, I had the opportunity to go to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. It was such a moving experience for me to be in the seat of the Catholic Church and to be able to explore such a great church with its marvelous statutes and artwork (such as Michelangelo’s The Pieta). The altar behind me is directly above the Crypt of St. Peter, on whom Jesus founded the church, and the only person who can say Mass at this altar is the Pope. Being there gave me a whole new outlook and perspective and a deeper understanding of what my faith is all about.
Today, there was history made in the church with the election of a new Pope, which is historic in so many ways. Pope Frances (formerly his eminence Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio), a Jesuit priest hailing from Argentina, was the first non-European pontiff since Pope Gregory III in the eighth century and the third successive non-Italian pontiff. He comes from a working-class family in Argentina (and ironically has family roots in Italy), who used to take the bus to work and elected to live modestly away from the Cardinal’s residence. He even enjoys cooking his own meals. He is fluent in Spanish, Italian, and German and will possibly pick up other languages as time goes on.
The Holy Father is the first Jesuit priest to become pope, who I am learning is a person of simple needs and tastes. He honors St. Francis of Assisi in choosing the name Francis, who himself was a man of humility, simplicity and modest means and needs, and also cared about the poor as does the new Pontiff.
It will be interesting to see what church doctrine will be changed (or modified) and what new doctrine, over time, I am sure will emerge.
Things may change on policy of priests who refuse to baptize children born out of wedlock, and taking the reins of problemsthat has been floating around the church for some time. But he will put his own stamp on the church as well. He has been known as a priest of the people. It’s such an exciting time for the Catholic Church and all of us that are Roman Catholic (like myself).
But what brought about this change eight years after the election of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI was the unforeseen retirement of Pope Benedict. No one could have known this was coming except for the Pope (this was the first time a Pope retired in over 600 years), and it was done in part to his health and being directed by the holy spirit to step down and use his remaining years on reflection, writing, and prayer.
It will be interesting when Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI meet in just a few days. I don’t think there will be any conflict between the two men, yet there will be cooperation, obedience, shared love, and concern for the entire church and its people.
We have special gifts and talents, and we need to use them for good and not evil. Unfortunately, there are many who use their talents for the ill and allow improper influences to rule their lives. They miss out on so much. Our gifts and talents aid and serve to make us the unique individuals that we are. Some of the special gifts that come to us via the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge, piety, and fear of the Lord.
What do you think faith can bring to humanity that is so uncertain about the future? What is your thinking about the places and ministers of God can give men during their journey of faith, and what do you expect of religion to serve men?
I see faith as the magic that allows those with a pure heart to believe that they can achieve their dreams. Religion can also be the discipline to communicate with God. I think that with the new Pope, the men of the church can give the Catholic religion, as well as the faithful, a true and clear signal of change from the elitists of the church and close to the real needs of a people such a true witness of Jesus’ that is made from charity, mercy and true love not only coming from the written word but in action and deed. It is quite possible that the new Pope is a worthy and inspiring representative.
