The Pope's Apostolic Exhortation (an important writing but below an encyclical) on the call to personal holiness. I think it's his best document and I wish it were more promoted; brief (only 80 pages) and very to the point. I read it when it first came out last May and re-read this Advent.
There are five chapters – I put in a tiny quote or explanation (#2) for each –
(1) The Call to Holiness
"7. I like to contemplate the holiness present in the patience of God’s people: In their daily perseverance I see the holiness of the Church militant. A holiness found in our next-door neighbors; the middle class of holiness."
(2) Two enemies of Holiness
Ancient heresies in modern form. 1. Gnosticism: we are saved by what we know. & 2. Pelagianism: We are saved by our own efforts and good works; we don't need God's grace.
(3) In the light of the Master
"63. 'What must one do to be a good Christian?', the answer is clear. We have to do, each in our own way, what Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount."
(4) Signs of Holiness Today
"108. Hedonism and consumerism can prove our downfall. Similarly, when we allow ourselves to be caught up in superficial information, instant communication and virtual reality, we can waste precious time and become indifferent to the suffering flesh of our brothers and sisters.
109. The powerful witness of the saints is revealed in their lives, shaped by the Beatitudes and the criterion of the final judgement. I recommend rereading these great biblical texts frequently, referring back to them, praying with them, trying to embody them. They will benefit us; they will make us genuinely happy."
(5) Spiritual Combat, Vigilance and Discernment
"159. We are not dealing merely with a battle against the world and a worldly mentality that would deceive us and leave us dull and mediocre, lacking in enthusiasm and joy. Nor can this battle be reduced to the struggle against our human weaknesses and proclivities. It is also a constant struggle against the devil. Jesus himself celebrates our victories."
And –
"162. Our path towards holiness is a constant battle. Those who do not realize this will be prey to failure or mediocrity. For this spiritual combat, we can count on the powerful weapons that the Lord has given us: faith-filled prayer, meditation on the word of God, the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, sacramental Reconciliation, works of charity, community life, missionary outreach."
As I said, it's short – the whole exhortation can be read and chewed over in a couple of hours. Goes nicely on a kindle or your phone.
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