Spiritual Formation Free Essay Example, 1000 words

These examples should teach us that that persistence and patience is necessary in the development of spirituality. Spiritual formation involves a constant communication with God. Communication with God involves prayer or our awareness of His movement towards us allowing us to listen to him so that we might grow in that relationship (8). In the spiritual formation of the twelve disciples Jesus not only taught them how to pray but was a perfect example of how to communicate constantly with the Father. Spiritual formation will only be successful when the relationship is deepened through prayer. Prayer doesn’t have to be vocal. Silence is a powerful form of prayer. Since God also speaks to us through interior emotions (7), then we can only achieve that through listening and being in tuned with our thoughts. Among the different religious orders in the Catholic Church are some orders which perpetuate long moments of silence. There are many instances in the New Testament when Jesus withdrew from the disciples and the crowds to enter into prayer with His Father. Although constant prayer is necessary for spiritual formation there are some moments when taking time away from one’s daily event is necessary. We will write a custom essay sample on Spiritual Formation or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now This is the reason why many priests, preachers, and religious teachers for example, go on sabbaticals. This serves as a period of renewal and rejuvenation. This is especially important if one is wholly involved in service on a social, psychological, or emotional sphere. One should not confuse being religious with spiritual formation. Observing religious laws and rituals can never offer the same satisfaction that one gets from spiritual formation. Jesus observed the obligations of the Pharisees and Sadducees and saw through their emptiness. He also said that, â€Å"Not everyone who said Lord, Lord will enter into the Kingdom of God. † Spiritual formation grows out of a personal encounter with the Lord. It comes through one’s wiliness and openness of heart. There are many churchgoers who unfortunately are stubborn and heard-hearted. There is the renowned picture of Jesus standing at the door knocking. The unique description of this door which represents the heart is that there is no knob on the outside. This signifies that the door has to be opened from within and Christ can be in unity with us through the power of choice and only if we allow Him to be. St Paul said that faith without works is dead. Spiritual formation therefore requir es discipline, practice, zeal and positive actions.