Practical Activity
Hi, it’s me again. In the course you just finished, we reflected on God’s mysterious plan of salvation, the role of the church, and the mystery of sin and hell. In understanding these things better, I was able to participate in God’s work of salvation better than before. It helped motivate me — by hope, love, and holy fear — to do the work of evangelization and intercession on more (you might say) firm ground.
The heart of this practical activity is for us to meditate again on the mysteries of salvation, and let the Lord move you deeper into His mysterious plan.
For this activity, you’ll need a copy of the classic spiritual work of Saint Francis de Sales, An Introduction to the Devout Life. Chapters 9-18 of Part 1 are meditations, with instructions. Choose one of these meditations, and find a place and time to pray.
When you’re ready to pray, start out by spending at least 5 minutes in prayer, primarily in thanksgiving to God for making you to be a Catholic Christian.
Spend 15 minutes or more with the meditation that you chose. Read it, reread it, and talk to the Lord about it. Write down any good intentions or resolutions that He inspires within you, and strive to perform them going forward. The following day, speak to the Lord again about your thoughts and feelings concerning the meditation, and about your intentions and resolutions. Ask for His help.
At that time, also pray a Rosary, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, or other prayer for grave sinners, heretics (those who stubbornly cling to false doctrine), and schismatics (those who separate themselves from communion with the Church). Before beginning to pray, announce your intention and ask the Lord that you might share in His sorrow for them. Also repent of your own sins and sinful attachments.
Finally, post in the Community Forums about your experience doing this practical activity, in the specific topic created for purpose. Also, give a constructive question or comment about the lesson, or somebody else’s post on their experience doing the practical activity. This is required for your certificate of completion!
I hope you enjoyed this course. There is one more to go!