Gaudete et Exsultate – A practical guide to holiness

“Brother, I cannot become saint. It is reserved only to those who are set apart, consecrated people like you,” said one of the retreatants after the Lenten retreat preaching in the parishes. I tried my best to explain to her. I preached on Universal Call to Holiness (Lumen Gentium, Chapter 5, a document of Vatican Council II) during the retreat preaching. Quoting the Scripture I said: “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt. 5:48). I gave her instances to show that holiness is for all. But she was not fully convinced. Jesus has chosen each one of us to be holy and blameless before him in love (GE.2) All are called to be holy.

The Apostolic Exhortation — Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad; Mt. 5: 12), of Pope Francis published on April 9, 2018 (signed on March 19, 2018) exhorts all to be holy in our own state of life. The Apostolic Exhortation which has 177 numbers and 125 end notes, divided into 5 chapters, is a practical guide to holiness. Some consider it as a spiritual masterpiece.

Pope Francis reminds each one of us that we are called to holiness, in our own state of life by living our lives with love and bearing witness and turning to God every day. God calls all of us personally. There are so many saints in the church. Some are officially recognised by the church and many more ordinary people have been hidden from history books yet have been decisive in changing the world.

“To be holy does not require being a bishop, a priest or a religious” (GE, 14), says Pope Francis, fading away the misunderstanding of holiness. Here he cites an example of a woman going for shopping.

“A woman goes shopping, she meets a neighbour and they begin to speak, and the gossip starts. But she says in her heart: “No, I will not speak badly of anyone”. This is a step forward in holiness. Later, at home, one of her children wants to talk to her about his hopes and dreams, and even though she is tired, she sits down and listens with patience and love. That is another sacrifice that brings holiness. Later she experiences some anxiety, but recalling the love of the Virgin Mary, she takes her rosary and prays with faith. Yet another path of holiness. Later still, she goes out onto the street, encounters a poor person and stops to say a kind word to him. One more step.” (GE, 16)

Gnosticism and Pelagianism are the enemies of holiness mentioned in the second chaper. These are the two heresies from early Christian times. 

Gnosticism, derives from the Greek word gnosis which means – knowledge. It was a religious movement beginning, possibly, before the time of Christ and extending into the first few centuries of the Christian era. It says what matters most is what you know. “When somebody has an answer for every question, it is a sign that they are not on the right road,” says Pope Francis (GE, 41).

Pelagianism has a root from the thought of a Celtic monk named Pelagius from Britain who taught that human beings can attain salvation through their own sustained efforts. According to Peligius, Adam’s sin did not damage human nature, so there is no need of redemption through Christ. 

What it means to be holy is portrayed by Jesus through the Beatitudes. This, he has highlighted in the third chapter. For Pope Francis Beatitudes, are like a Christian’s identity card. These includes, poor in spirit, mourning for our sins, reacting with meekness and humility, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, acting with mercy, keeping a heart free of all that tarnishes love, sowing peace all around us and facing persecution for righteousness.

In the fourth chapter, signs of holiness in today’s world, Pope Francis focused on the five great expressions of love for God and neighbour.

Perseverance, patience and meekness: This source of inner strength enables us to persevere amid life’s ups and downs and also to endure hostility, betrayal and failings on the part of others.

Joy and sense of humour: The saints are joyful and full of good humour. They radiate positive and hopeful spirit, even in hard times. 

Boldness and passion: Pope speaks about boldness, an impulse to evangelise and to leave a mark in this world. Today, we also need passionate missionaries, enthusiastic about sharing true life.

In community: Growth in holiness is a journey in community. Sharing the Word and celebrating the Eucharist together fosters fraternity and makes us a holy and missionary community. Here he gives the example of the Japanese martyrs Saint Paul Miki and companions, and many more. “In many marriages too, each spouse becomes a means used by Christ for the sanctification of the other.” (GE.141)

In constant prayer: It is essential for each disciple to spend time with the Master, to listen to his words, and to learn from him always. So prayer becomes a response of a heart open to encountering God face to face.

Pope Francis speaks about the spiritual combat, vigilance and discernment in the fifth chapter. Expressing his concern about the constant battle we need to face, he gives us the practical aids for spiritual combat like faith-filled prayer, meditation, the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, Sacramental Reconciliation, works of charity, community life and missionary outreach. The gift of discernment is very essential today because contemporary life proclaims so many distractions.

“It is my hope that these pages will prove by enabling the whole Church to devote herself anew to promoting desire for holiness,” says Pope, in the concluding section (GE, 177). We, the Catholic Church in India, has given only six saints. St Gonzalo Garcia (Vasai), St  Alphonsa Muttathupadathu (Kerala), St  Elias Chavara (Kerala), St Euphresia Eluvathingal (Kerala), St. Joseph Vaz (Goa) and St Teresa of Kolkota. We have Blesseds and Venerables, Servants of God in Kerala and other parts of India. In Goa, too, we have many who lived a life of holiness and gone before us to heavenly abode. Among the visible ones, we have, Venerable Agnelo Desouza (Anjuna) whom we are waiting eagerly to see on the Altar. Fr. Jacome Gonsalves (Divar), who accompanied St. Joseph Vaz, Mosignor Herculano Gonsalves (Benaulim), founder of Sisters of the Congregation of the Handmaids of Christ and Fr Faustino De Souza (Anjuna), founder of the Congregation of the Sisters of Holy Family of Nazareth. There will be so many among us who strive to attain holiness in our day to day living. Let us pray that holiness may grow in spite of the pictorial presentation by the world to allure us.