Christian Spirituality & Social Transformation

• Christian Spirituality and Social Transformation (GE-RED103) is taught at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute.

Spirituality Defined

• Edward Sellner defines it as any religious or ethical value concretized as an attitude or spirit that guides one's actions.

Faith and Action

• Spirituality encompasses both faith and action.
• James 2:17 states, "Faith without good works is dead."

Spirituality According to Saints

• St. Teresa of Calcutta believes that spirituality means putting love into action, emphasizing the love in one's actions over the quantity of prayers.
• St. Thérèse of Lisieux defines spirituality as simplicity in trusting God and doing small things with great love.
• St. Oscar Romero states that spirituality is living out faith by working for justice, peace, and human dignity.

Islamic Spirituality

• It centers on submission to Allah's will, living a righteous life, and fulfilling social obligations.
• Ethical Spirituality involves living a moral life and fulfilling social obligations as acts of worship.
• Charity (Zakat) involves giving 2.5% of one's wealth to the poor and needy.

Hindu Spirituality

• It aims for union with the divine and liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and rebirth (samsara).
• Daily Puja includes offering prayers, incense, and food to deities.
• Festivals like Diwali involve rituals and serving others as devotion.

Judaic Spirituality

• It is based on a covenant relationship with God and living according to the Torah (Law).
• Observing the Sabbath (Shabbat) involves resting, praying, and spending time with family from Friday evening to Saturday evening.
• Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) means engaging in social justice, charity, and acts of kindness.

Buddhist Spirituality

• Mindfulness and meditation are practiced to achieve inner peace and enlightenment (Nirvana).
• The Noble Eightfold Path is followed, including right actions, speech, and livelihood.
• Helping others is seen as an act of loving-kindness (metta).

Christian Spirituality

• It involves a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
• Regular practices include prayer, reading the Bible, attending church, and receiving sacraments like the Eucharist.
• Actions include feeding the homeless, caring for the sick, and engaging in mission work.
• St. Frances de Sales stated, "...that the practice of devotion should be adapted to each person according to his/her duties and occupation.”

Prayer

• Prayer is traditionally defined as lifting up one's heart and mind to God.
• It is a two-way process involving God's action and one's participation.
• Prayer described as "conversation with God" involves speaking and listening.

Vocal Prayer

• Expressing thoughts and concerns to God through structured or spontaneous prayers.
• Examples of structured prayers are Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glory Be.

Spontaneous Prayer

• Telling God what is in one's mind and heart at the moment.
• It facilitates an active relationship and is flexible enough to cover current experiences.

Mental Prayer

• Involves using the mind and imagination to unite with God through meditation or examination of conscience.

Contemplation

• A prayer of loving attentiveness to God's mysterious presence.
• It is quieter, more receptive, and more affective than mental prayer and is a prayer of the heart.
• Examples include a 30-day Prayer Retreat and Centering Prayer.

Liturgical Prayer

• Prayer of the church gathered in worship and praise of God.
• The Mass or the Eucharist is the most important liturgical prayer for Catholics.

Sacrifice

• It is considered an essential part of authentic Christian Spirituality and Christ's Paschal Mystery.
• In modern times, it is often viewed negatively as a hassle or obstacle.
• The word comes from the Latin "Sacra," meaning holy or sacred, and "Facere," meaning to do or to act; it means Holy Action or Sacred Action.
• Sacrifices can lead to becoming good or holy, rather than hindering joy and happiness.

Asceticism

• Sacrifice as spiritual discipline referred to as “ASCETICISM”.
• Asceticism comes from the Greek word ASKESIS, meaning athletic exercise or practice, and is defined as "a self-denying way of life".

Spiritual Discipline: Fasting

• Fasting involves voluntarily giving up food, drink, or certain pleasures for a specific time.
• It is for devotion, self-discipline, and spiritual purification.
• It is a common practice across religions, including Christianity, and promotes empathy for those who suffer.

Spiritual Discipline: Abstinence

• It includes refraining from certain foods, activities, or behaviors to honor God and exercise self-control and focus on spiritual growth.
• Often involves avoiding meat on specific days in Christianity.
• Practices such as abstinence help individuals detach from materialism and worldly distractions.

Spiritual Discipline: Solitude

• Solitude involves intentionally withdrawing from external distractions and human interaction.
• It creates space for reflection, prayer, and connection with God.
• By being present with God, it helps cultivate spiritual renewal and deeper self-awareness.

Spiritual Discipline: Retreats and Recollections

• Intentional pauses from daily life to focus on spiritual growth, deepen one's relationship with God, and gain clarity through prayer, reflection, and renewal.
• These disciplines encourage temporary withdrawal to align with God's presence and purpose.
• Retreat means a longer, more structured experience, lasting several days, in a secluded environment.
• Recollection means a shorter, simpler version of a retreat, lasting a few hours or a single day.

Spiritual Discipline: Good Works

• Intentional acts of service, charity, and kindness performed as an expression of faith and love for God and others.
• They embody compassion, humility, and selflessness, fostering a deeper connection with the community.

Nursing: Spirituality in Practice

• Student Nurses will creatively demonstrate how they integrate spirituality into their workplace through a 3–5-minute video presentation or dramatic role-play.

Rubrics for scoring presentations.

• Relevance: 10 points
• Creativity: 10 points
• Collaboration: 10 points
• Clarity: 10 points
• Respectfulness: 10 points
• Total: 50 points