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Adult Faith Formation

Location
Church of the Holy Trinity
1835 Dover-Zoar Rd. NE
Bolivar, Ohio 44612

ADULT FAITH FORMATION Classes

   


Adult Faith Formation Class Notes

September 18, 2022

 

“INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE” 

by Dr. Brant Pitri

INTRODUCTION

There are THREE stages of Spiritual Growth, according to St. John of The Cross, Pope Saint John XXIII, and many other Saints through the ages:

       Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive

  1. These “paths” are described in different terms, by various saints in the East and West.  
    1. Origen of Alexandria – “Spiritual Childhood”, “Youth”, and “Mature Manhood”.
    2. Dionysius – “Purification”, “Illumination”, “Perfection”.
    3. St. John Climacus – “The Beginning”, The Middle”’ “Perfection”.
    4. Augustine – “Infancy”, “Adolescence”, “Adulthood”.
    5. Pope Gregory the Great – “The Beginning”, The Middle”’ “Perfection”.
    6. St. Boniventure – “Purgation”, Illumination”, “Perfection”.
    7. St, Thomas Aquinas – “The Beginning”, “The Proficient”, “The Perfect”.
    8. Saint Ignatius – “First Week”, “Second Week”, “Perfection”.

What is the “Purgative Way”?

  1. The path of spiritual childhood, focused on keeping the commandments, rooting out the capital sins, and learning to pray and practice meditation.

(Just when I thought I was nearing the end of my spiritual journey, I discovered that I had only begun the first step!)

This book (and this class)  will focus on the Purgative Way

  1. We begin with the three types of prayer found in the “Way”.
  2. Next, we will examine the Spiritual Path found along the Purgative Way.
  3. Then, we will look at the Seven (8) Capital Sins in detail, and see the remedies proposed for each.
  4. Finally, We examine our lives and determine our progress, as we work our way along the path.

 

Our Schedule:

September – INTRODUCTION

October – Three Types of Prayer – Vocal, Meditative, Contemplation

November – Pride / Humility, Envy / Mercy

December – Anger / Meekness, Avarice / Generosity

January – Lust / Chastity, Gluttony / Temperance

February – Sloth / Diligence, Sorrow / Patience

March – Making Progress – Examination of Heart,  Jacob’s Ladder

April – The Battle of Prayer, The Dark Night

May – The Living Water


Adult Faith Formation Class Notes

October, 2022

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE” 

by Dr. Brant Pitri

Prayer - Tracks 1-13(8’)

There are THREE types of prayer found in Scripture, and in the writings of Saints through the ages.   Vocal Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation.

  1. VOCAL PRAYER
  1. Using words to communicate with God.  
    1. We were created with a Body and a Mind, so God wants to hear us use our voices to pray.
      1. Memorized Prayers
        1. Often get a “bad rap”
        2. We see many examples of memorized prayers in the Jewish Scriptures
        3. Jesus prayed the Psalms, and other memorized prayers.
        4. In times of great stress, memorized prayer can bring us great consolation. (re: Jesus on the cross).
      2. Spontaneous Vocal Prayer
        1. God loves to “dialogue” with us.
        2. It is easier for us to “speak from the heart” spontaneously.
  2. The path to Meditation and Contemplation is Vocal Prayer.
    1. It is best to mentally place ourselves before the throne of God before we begin vocal prayers
    2. One formula of vocal prayers is found in the Lord’s Prayer.
      1. Begin with Praise
      2. Next, present out requests
      3. End with an assurance of our commitment to God and His commands.

B.) Meditation

  1. “You shall love THE LORD your God…with all your mind”
  2. Meditation = Praying with the mind.
    1. Sacred Scripture, Christian Books, Mass Readings, The Gospels, etc.
    2. Read, Pause, Ponder, Pray
    3. Psalm 1.   Worth Memorizing!
    4. “Good Soil” and our response to the Word of God.
  3. Meditation TAKES TIME.
    1. Every Day.
    2. Best done at a particular time of day, with a minimum time to visit with The Lord.
    3. Don’t confuse Christian meditation with Eastern meditation.  Our minds should be fully engaged, not empty.
  4. Lectio Divina – Praying the Scriptures

C.) Contemplation

1.) “The simple act of gazing on the truth”

2.) Three Old Testament Examples…Moses, David, Elijah

3.) Jesus and Contemplation – Martha, Mary, and the “One Thing”.

4.) The “Silent Gaze of Love” – Eucharistic Adoration.

 

OCTOBER Update - Next Class is October23rd.

Last week, as we discussed our options in this "5 Sunday Month", it became clear that we should skip the October 16th Class this month, and instead hold class on the 26th (4th Sunday).  It seemed best since more than a few would be out of town on the 16th (including me), and it could present an opportunity for Pattilyn and Greg to attend.  So our next Adult Faith Formation Class will be Sunday, October 23rd, right after the 10:00 Mass. 

We will continue exploring the subject of PRAYER, with our emphasis on the idea of contemplative prayer.  Contemplative prayer is more akin to the concept of "emptying oneself" and merely being in the presence of God, as opposed to Meditative prayer, which is Praying with the mind.  One could say contemplative prayer is "Praying with the Heart."  We will look at Old and New Testament examples of this type of prayer, as well as the teachings and exhortations of the Doctors and Fathers of the Church who would be called "Contemplatives".

It should be an interesting class, as I'm rather unfamiliar with this type of praying myself but know that some of you practice it regularly.  

Our reading assignment continues to be" "Three Types of Prayer, Chapters 1., 2., 3. or CD Tracks 1-8(6:40).
For those who have not yet gotten a book and an mp3 CD, there are a couple in my mailbox in the Church office, and I have plenty more.

God bless you and see you on the 23rd!

Adult Faith Formation Class Notes

November, 2022

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE” 

by Dr. Brant Pitri

THE SPIRITUAL PATH - Tracks 13(8’) - 18(8:30)

The most essential first steps in our path to spiritual maturity involve recognizing our sin, repenting of it, and avoiding future failures.  This is the essence of the “Purgative Way”.

  1. THE FIRST STEP - REPENTANCE
  1. The word “repent” simply means “to turn around”.
    1. The heart of The Father is that we will turn from our own way to His.  This means that His desire is for us to come to Him, abandon our own path, and trust in His way.  This is the essence of FAITH, which is necessary for salvation.
      1. Turning from sin – is it possible?
        1. Not without the help of the Holy Spirit
        2. We are saved by grace, through faith, and only faith and trust in God’s Holy Spirit will achieve true repentance.  
        3. Our task is to daily strive to achieve a path of sinlessness, while recognizing even partial success depends on the work of God – “So that no one can boast” – in their own strength.
        4. Jesus tells us: “Seek to enter through the narrow gate” and  “Many will try, but will not be ‘strong enough”.
      2. But who is strong enough? “Only God is Good” (Mk 10-18)
    2. How do I repent?
      1. Recognize my sins
      2. Admit my sinfulness
      3. Confess my sins
      4. Seek God’s forgiveness
      5. Resolve, with God’s grace to avoid these sins in the future – depending entirely on Him.
      6. “Rinse and Repeat”

 

  1. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
    1. We begin our daily self-examination with the Ten Commandments.  
      1. Think about each commandment.  How have I failed to live up to it? Sins of omission and sins of commission.
      2. Living and obeying the 10 commandments makes us “holy” in God’s eyes. (Ex 19:5-6).  They are the path to life. (Deut 5:33)
      3. Jesus tells us they are the “Doorway to eternal life” (Mt 19:17-19).
    2. The Ten Commandments are all about LOVE (Mk 12:28-31)  
    3. Love of God (#1-3); Love of Others (#4-10)

 

  1. THE THREE TEMPTATIONS (Jn 2:16-17)
    1. The Lust of The Flesh
      1. The temptation of Adam and Eve (Gen 3:6)
      2. The temptation of Jesus (Mt 4:1-3)
    2. The Lust of The Eye
      1. The temptation of Adam and Eve (Gen 3:6)
      2. The temptation of Jesus (Mt 4: 5-6)
    3. The Pride of Life
      1. The temptation of Adam and Eve (Gen 3:6)
      2. The temptation of Jesus (Mt 4: 8-9)
    4. EVERY SIN can be categorized in one of these ways.  In essence, they all involve trusting in ourselves, rather than God. (i.e. a failure to have FAITH).
    5. Eve’s response (“since I can’t depend on God, I should look out for myself”)
    6. Jesus’ response in quoting Scripture (“I will trust in My Father’s Plan and not My own”)
    7. Jesus – the NEW ADAM – Gives us three remedies to the ‘triple concupiscence’:  Prayer, Almsgiving, Fasting

 


 

Adult Faith Formation Class Notes

December, 2022

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE” 

by Dr. Brant Pitri

THE THREE REMEDIES - Tracks 13(8’) - 18(8:30)

We have looked at the THREE TEMPTATIONS last month – The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  Now we turn our attention to the three remedies described in Jewish and Christian Scripture and Tradition – Fasting, Almsgiving, and Prayer.

  1. FASTING
  1. Fasting is described many times in the Old Testament, The Gospels, and the New Testament as our obligation to The Father.
    1. It is never presented as an option, but always is assumed to be our obligation.  
    2. Born out in Scared Scripture, but especially the writings of the Church Father, fasting is seen as the single best remedy to overcome the lust of the flesh.  
      1. Our first parent’s sin was to break God’s command to “fast” from the fruit of the Tree of knowledge.  
      2. Moses and Elijah fasted in preparation for their encounter with Yahweh.  
      3. The prophet Joel is told that fasting is an outward sign of inner repentance (Joel 2:12-16).
  2. Jesus is our model for proper fasting.
    1. When battling temptation.
    2. Accompanied by prayer.
    3. Best performed in secret (except when ritually done)
  1. ALMSGIVING
    1. Primarily shown as “giving to the poor”.  (“Whoever gives to the poor, lends to God” – Proverbs 19:17)
    2. Also seen as an obligation to the Church (or Temple).
    3. Jesus and secret almsgiving
      1. The Sermon on the Mount (Mt 5:42 and 6:2-4)
      2. Treasure in heaven (Lk 12:33-34)
      3. In the parable of the sheep and the goats (Mt 25:34-36, 40, 46) Jesus presents one of the clearest requirements for entrance into the Kingdom of God – Giving to the poor.  “The poor need you, for meeting their daily needs; You need the poor to keep you out of Hell”.
    4.   Almsgiving in the Christian Tradition
      1. Weekly Giving
      2. Faith without almsgiving is dead (Jas 2:15-17)
    5.  A remedy for the Lust of the Eyes

                

  1. PRAYER - The Lord’s Prayer
    1. A summary of the entire gospel (Tertullian).
    2. The most perfect of prayers (Thomas Aquinas)
    3. The whole “method” of praying (Teresa of Avila).
    4. Jesus teaches His Disciples to pray in Secret.  (Matthew 6:5-6, 9)
    5. Jesus teaches them to pray simply (Mt 6:7-8)
    6. The first three petitions: Focused on God.
    7. The last four petitions: Focused on human beings.  
    8. THE remedy for The Pride of Life.

 

Our Schedule:

September – INTRODUCTION

October – Three Types of Prayer 1., 2., 3. – Tracks 1-8(6:40)

November – The Spiritual Path 4., 5., 6. – Tracks 8(6:40) – 13(8”)

December – The Spiritual Path 7., 8., 9. – Tracks 13(8”) – 18(8:30)

January – Vices and Virtues  10., 11., 12. –Tracks 18(8:30) - 24(5”)

February – Vices and Virtues  13., 14., 15. – Tracks 24(5”) - 30

March – Vices and Virtues  16., 17., 18. - Tracks 30 – 35(4”)

April – Making Progress  19., 20., 21. – Tracks 35(4”) – 41(3”)

May – Making Progress  22., 23. - Tracks 41(3”) – END

Adult Faith Formation Class Notes

January, 2023

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE” 

by Dr. Brant Pitri

THE SEVEN SINS - Tracks 18(8:30) - 24(5”)

We now turn our attention to a subject which cannot be avoided if we are to progress on our journey to achieving the Spiritual Life.  Overcoming sin is essential to our progress: failure to do so will put a roadblock to any further progress.  But how is this possible, knowing that sin will always be a part of our human nature, and despite our best efforts to resist temptation, we will occasionally fall?   

The answer to this paradox is found in a Biblical understanding of sin itself.  The Biblical authors understood sin not so much as a series of acts, but as a condition in which we are stuck – something akin to an addiction or a contagious disease.  No amount of merely human effort could possibly solve the problem!   Rather, some power has to come from outside of us in order to clean up the mess.  Something “awful” has to be done on our behalf in order to offset the awfulness of sin.  

With this Biblical realism in mind, we can begin to comprehend why the crucifixion of the Son of God was necessary.  We also get a clear appreciation of why our personal response to the issue of sin and grace can only be found in faith in the work of the Cross and accepting our need for the graces afforded to us in that single event.  

Chapters 10 through 18 take us through the most common view of our human concupiscence – The Seven Deadly Sins.  Fortunately, Dr. Pitre also provides us with corresponding virtues for which we can pray to counteract them.  

“Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits more evil than himself.”  (MT 12:45)

  1. PRIDE and HUMILITY

Pride, the queen of sins…is the beginning of all sin”  

St. Gregory The Great.

1.Pride in Jewish Scripture

  1. The Pride of Adam and Eve
  2. The pride of Lucifer
  3. The sin of Pride in Proverbs
  1. Jesus and Pride – The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
  2. HUMILITY – The Remedy of Pride
    1. Humility toward God
    2. Humility toward our neighbor
  1. Envy and Mercy
    1. An irrational sadness over someone else’s good fortune.
    2. The Envy of Cain
    3. The Envy of the Elder Son
    4. MERCY – The Remedy for Envy
      1. Envy grieves over another person’s good fortune
      2. Envy is rooted in love of self
      3. Mercy grieve over another person’s misfortune
      4. Mercy is rooted in love of neighbor.
  2. Anger and Meekness
    1. Righteous anger (Zeal) versus sinful anger (Wrath)
    2. Another way of distinguishing the two is that Righteous Anger is the emotion we feel over another person being treated unfairly, or an offense against justice for another.  Sinful Anger arises from the emotion we feel when WE are treated unfairly, or an offense against our personally biased sense of justice.  Here it is essential that we understand the Mind of God as found in Sacred Scripture.
      1. Jesus’ righteous Anger in the temple
      2. Jesus’ meekness at the crucifixion.
    3. “Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (MT 5:5)

“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath, for the wicked shall be cut off; but those who wait for THE LORD shall possess the land. Yet a little while, and wicked will be no more….but the meek shall possess the land” (PS 37:8-11)

Adult Faith Formation Class Notes

February, 2023

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE” 

by Dr. Brant Pitri

THE SEVEN SINS (continued) - Tracks 24 – 30

  1. AVARICE and GENEROSITY

As we continue our study of the Seven Deadly Sins, our attention now turns to those which put our selfish desires ahead of those of our neighbor.  The first of these is Avarice – more commonly referred to as Greed.   Avarice is seen as an irrational or immoderate desire to accommodate money or possessions.  Everything God has created is good, and the world itself was made for Man.  Our desire for that which is good degenerates into the sin of Avarice when it becomes a disordered craving for what we want, above that which THE LORD knows we need.   When we put the desire for the created things ahead of the desire for The Creator Himself, the sin of Greed actually becomes a form of idolatry.  It is noteworthy that the sin of Greed can be present even when our desire to acquire money and possessions does not necessarily involve a desire to get them through unjust or sinful means.  This means that the sin of Greed can be present, even if we are unaware.  

The sin of Avarice differs from that of Envy, in that we do not really resent those who have great possessions; we simply long for the possessions themselves.  I’ve heard priests and ministers say that the tenth commandment (Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods) is the least confessed sin.   It’s not uniquely an American thing, but certainly, any objective view of life tells us: “The more we have, the more we want.”  

  1. The “Evil Eye” (p. 144)
  2. Avarice Never gets enough (J.D. Rockerfeller)
  3. The Love of Money (parable of the rich fool)
  4. GENEROSITY – The Remedy for Avarice  (Happy are those who give)

 

  1. LUST versus CHASTITY

The sin of Lust is often defined as any inordinate desire for possessions, but this definition confuses this sin with that of Avarice.  Dr. Pitre specifically addresses this sin as “A disordered desire for sexual pleasure”, and gives numerous scriptural references which condemn this sin.  Passages concerning adultery, fornication, and coveting another man’s wife are given in Chapter 15.  It is seen as a “fire” in proverbs.  Saint Paul tells us that – although he would prefer that his disciples remain single, “it is better to marry than to burn”.  

I like to think of Lust as any conscious acts and thoughts which place our personal desire for pleasure ahead of our desire for the good of another.   In this sense, Lust can go beyond sexual pleasure; for example a lust for power at the expense of the governed; or a lust for recognition at the expense of our fellow man.  Taken in this broader definition, lust as Pope Paul VI writes in humanae vitae, can even be found in the actions and intent of married couples.  

Dr. Pitre defines several examples from scripture and shows us patterns that can lead to sexual sins.

  1. Four Steps to adultery
  2. Three stages of Temptation to Lust (p. 160)
  3. CHASTITY (PURITY) is given as the Remedy for sins of Lust.
  4. Chastity can be fostered through Fasting, Meditation, and Manual Labor.

 

 

  1. GLUTTONY versus TEMPERANCE

Adult Faith Formation Class Notes

January, 2023

INTRODUCTION TO THE SPIRITUAL LIFE” 

by Dr. Brant Pitri

THE SEVEN SINS - Tracks 18(8:30) - 24(5”)

We now turn our attention to a subject which cannot be avoided if we are to progress on our journey to achieving the Spiritual Life.  Overcoming sin is essential to our progress: failure to do so will put a roadblock to any further progress.  But how is this possible, knowing that sin will always be a part of our human nature, and despite our best efforts to resist temptation, we will occasionally fall?   

The answer to this paradox is found in a Biblical understanding of sin itself.  The Biblical authors understood sin not so much as a series of acts, but as a condition in which we are stuck – something akin to an addiction or a contagious disease.  No amount of merely human effort could possibly solve the problem!   Rather, some power has to come from outside of us in order to clean up the mess.  Something “awful” has to be done on our behalf in order to offset the awfulness of sin.  

With this Biblical realism in mind, we can begin to comprehend why the crucifixion of the Son of God was necessary.  We also get a clear appreciation of why our personal response to the issue of sin and grace can only be found in faith in the work of the Cross and accepting our need for the graces afforded to us in that single event.  

Chapters 10 through 18 take us through the most common view of our human concupiscence – The Seven Deadly Sins.  Fortunately, Dr. Pitre also provides us with corresponding virtues for which we can pray to counteract them.  

“Then he goes and brings with him seven other spirits more evil than himself.”  (MT 12:45)

  1. PRIDE and HUMILITY

Pride, the queen of sins…is the beginning of all sin”  

St. Gregory The Great.

1.Pride in Jewish Scripture

  1. The Pride of Adam and Eve
  2. The pride of Lucifer
  3. The sin of Pride in Proverbs
  1. Jesus and Pride – The Pharisee and the Tax Collector
  2. HUMILITY – The Remedy of Pride
    1. Humility toward God
    2. Humility toward our neighbor
  1. Envy and Mercy
    1. An irrational sadness over someone else’s good fortune.
    2. The Envy of Cain
    3. The Envy of the Elder Son
    4. MERCY – The Remedy for Envy
      1. Envy grieves over another person’s good fortune
      2. Envy is rooted in love of self
      3. Mercy grieve over another person’s misfortune
      4. Mercy is rooted in love of neighbor.
  2. Anger and Meekness
    1. Righteous anger (Zeal) versus sinful anger (Wrath)
    2. Another way of distinguishing the two is that Righteous Anger is the emotion we feel over another person being treated unfairly, or an offense against justice for another.  Sinful Anger arises from the emotion we feel when WE are treated unfairly, or an offense against our personally biased sense of justice.  Here it is essential that we understand the Mind of God as found in Sacred Scripture.
      1. Jesus’ righteous Anger in the temple
      2. Jesus’ meekness at the crucifixion.
    3. “Blessed are the Meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (MT 5:5)

“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath, for the wicked shall be cut off; but those who wait for THE LORD shall possess the land. Yet a little while, and wicked will be no more….but the meek shall possess the land” (PS 37:8-11)

 

Our Schedule:

September – INTRODUCTION

October – Three Types of Prayer 1., 2., 3. – Tracks 1-8(6:40)

November – The Spiritual Path 4., 5., 6. – Tracks 8(6:40) – 13(8”)

December – The Spiritual Path 7., 8., 9. – Tracks 13(8”) – 18(8:30)

January – Vices and Virtues  10., 11., 12. –Tracks 18(8:30) - 24(5”)

February – Vices and Virtues  13., 14., 15. – Tracks 24(5”) - 30

March – Vices and Virtues  16., 17., 18. - Tracks 30 – 35(4”)

April – Making Progress  19., 20., 21. – Tracks 35(4”) – 41(3”)

May – Making Progress  22., 23. - Tracks 41(3”) – END


All Adults and teens are welcome!


Our initial Sunday was an introduction to Edward Sri’s “Into His Likeness”.

Next we will looked at the life of one of our favorite saints.  (Saint Jerome) and listened to a song about him.   Click here, and enjoy.

We also examined the Book of Genesis, Chapters 1-11, and watched a video from The Bible Project.