“THIS training in holiness calls for a Christ-ian life distinguished above all in the art of prayer.” (Novo Millenio Ineute, January 6, 2001)
One of the many concerns of the late Pope John Paul II for the Church in the new millennium was on prayer.
Holiness is a gift freely given to each of the baptised; it is a gift already given to us at the very moment we become children of God.
What is holiness? Why desire to be holy?
Holiness is a virtue by which man’s mind applies itself and his entire daily acts to God; by this all humanity achieves sanctity.
To be holy means to set ourselves apart, to withdraw from the contemplation of inferior things to the contemplation on the Supreme Truth founded alone in God revealed by Jesus Christ.
In cultivating holiness, an individual is set apart and all the events of life are directed according to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Thus, to achieve holiness we need to learn the art of prayer.
In prayer we contemplate in the depth of our heart the face of a loving and merciful God.
In prayer I am renewed to work towards holiness leading me to stability in life and the ability to share Love (Love founded in Truth) with others.
In prayer tremendous graces are given by a generous God – the graces of healing, conversion, the fruits of the Spirit, strength.
In prayer we learn the art of Christian discipline – to live fully as disciples of Jesus called for a mission.
The Latin Rite Roman Catholic Church has a tremendous source of different forms of prayer; we only need to start making use of the different forms to quench the thirst of many for spirituality.
Let us remember it is the Holy Spirit that leads all towards the Father during prayer.
I encourage everyone who has yet to find time for oneself and for God in prayer, to come and learn the art of prayer during Pray2010 in Brisbane from July 7-10.
BR KENNETH GAN
Banyo, Qld
