ARE YOU AN EXCELLENT CATHOLIC?

• A CHECK LIST TO ENHANCE OUR CATHOLIC LIFE

• REV. DR. KUMAR RAJA

• KL, MALAYSIA• 14.06.2014

1. HOLY MASS•Meaningful

participation in the most important of the Catholic worships.

•If not daily, on Sundays

•With the entire family

WHY IS MASS SO IMPORTANT?• It is the memorial of the sacrifice of

Calvary. We are re-enacting the paschal mystery everytime.

• It is the most acceptable offering to God the Father- because we are offering His own Son, in whom He was well pleased.

• Vat II says it is the “source and summit of our spiritual life”

• All the great saints, holy men and wemen have received their grace from it.

2. CONFESSION• Meaningful

participation in the most unique sacrament that heals our soul, mind and body.

• If not monthly, atleast 4 times a year.

• During the annual retreat, make a long and detailed confession.

WHY IS CONFESSION SO IMPORTANT?

• It is the sacrament established by Jesus (Jn 21- Jesus’ mandate to the apostles)

• It renews our life of grace and removes all our sins.

• We get psychological, spiritual, social and spiritual healing.

• Suicide rate is the lowest among the Catholics partly because of this sacrament.

• It is an act of praising God’s mercy.

3. THE BIBLE•Word of God is the

lamp to our life.•Daily reading in

the mass, familyprayer and personal reading.

•Praying the psalms and the NT for our guidance, OT for inspiration

WHY IS BIBLE SO IMPORTANT?• It contains God’s words that give us life

and light.• Word of God cleanses us, strengthens

us, guides us and teaches us.• All the saints and holy men and women

drew their inspiration from the Word of God.

• All our devotions and celebrations are based on the scriptures- directly or indirectly.

4. PERSONAL PRAYER

• There are 3 types of prayer:1.Personal Prayer2.Group/ Family prayer3.Community prayer /Liturgy

• Catholics neglect the personal prayer.

• Praise & Worship, reflection, personal commitment to be included.

WHY IS PERSONAL PRAYER SO IMPORTANT?

• Jesus, with all his busy life, found time to pray to God alone.

• It is in the personal prayer can we raise our hearts in thanksgiving or supplication of the most intimate nature.

• It is the personal prayer that makes our family prayer or community prayer easy and meaningful.

• Those who do not have the habit of personal prayer find the mass boring and unintersting.

5. SPIRITUAL READING• Reading good

books nourishes our spiritual life.

• Lives of saints, writings of the Popes and good Catholic writers.

• Enhance your theology, spirituality and church history.

WHY IS SPIRITUAL READINGSO IMPORTANT?

• It is the fuel for our spiritual life.• It gives energy for our prayer and life.• We learn theology behind all the liturgy,

sacrament and the church life.• Attending good retreats/ spiritual

conferences also enhance our spiritual knowledge.

• Worship alone is not enough to be an effective Catholic, recognize the social dimension of your spiritual life.

6. FASTING• An important traditional

spiritual practice:1.Fasting of food2.Fasting of media3.Fasting in your speech• Every Friday is the day

of this triple-fasting.• Encourage your friends

and family to observe this.

• It puts your value system in right perspective.

WHY IS FASTING SO IMPORTANT?

• It is in losing something that we are able to gain something more valuable.

• It is an effective way of demonstrating that God is more important than food, entertainment and socializing.

• In other words, we avoid modern “idolatry” by the triple fasting.

• The triple fasting also helps us in our physical, social and psychological well being.

7. HOLY ROSARY• Another traditional prayer & weapon.

• All the saints and popes used it.

• It is not a Marian prayer, but a Christ-centred prayer.

• Difficult because it is contemplative, reciting and reflecting on the mysteries of Jesus’ life and ministry.

WHY IS ROSARY SO IMPORTANT?

• It is one way of identifying yourself as a Catholic.

• All those hold it in their person experience physical and spiritual security.

• It is one of our long cherished traditions.

• We focus on the mysteries of the Lord along with praying with our Blessed Mother.

8. RELATIONSHIP• Take the spirituality to

another plane of life: your relationship with God, spouse, children/parents, neighbours, colleagues…

• Without genuine relationship, “prayer” becomes ineffective (example of Pharisee’s prayer & offering with a strained relationship)

WHY IS FASTING SO IMPORTANT?

• It is in losing something that we are able to gain something more valuable.

• It is an effective way of demonstrating that God is more important than food, entertainment and socializing.

• In other words, we avoid modern “idolatry” by the triple fasting.

• The triple fasting also helps us in our physical, social and psychological well being.

9. GIVING• Giving, sharing and losing…crucial aspects of spiritual life.

• OT insists on 10%• NT encourages to

give 50%, 100% or as happily as you can.

• Develop the habit of giving believing in Jesus’ words “give, you will receive” (Lk 6:36

WHAT CAN YOU GIVE ?

• Money… to the Church, the Poor• Time… to your parish, neighbours,

those in need.• Service… what you can do by way of

your skills, talents and expertise• Support… by way of encouragement,

appreciation to the parish, diocese, to those in need.

10. WITNESSING• Prayer in Action.• In your words, action,

work and life.• Prayer in Action.• Christianity spread

because of the witnessing of the early Christians

• Even now what is missing in us is the witnessing part.

HOW CAN YOU WITNESS?

• Honesty and commitment in your work place.

• Using positive and encouraging words• Distributing CDs, books, rosaries, etc.• Visiting the sick, the poor and the

prisoners.• Do not be afraid to share your God

experience with others.• Start with our own Catholics… the Re-

evangelization

CHECK THE 10 STEPS

• Check all the ten steps

• Improve the weak areas

• Ask someone to assess you on the ten point scale

• Improve the quality of your life and mission