MATERIALISM, SPIRITUALITY, & DEMOCRACY

The U.S. desperately needs a deep national introspection and a national conversation as to what we have become as a nation and to redefine the American purpose. This conversation needs to begin in small church communities and Bible study groups. The purpose of this book is about the quest for spiritual maturity as it applies to the Catholic faith and American democracy. It is meant to engage the imagination of small church faith communities and bible study groups in light of Vatican II and what it means to carry forward the work of Christ under the lead of the Holy Spirit. Vatican II emphasized the need for the Church to embrace the whole of humanity. The Church has always had the duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel. This is what Catholic social teaching is based upon. But spiritual discernment is now more essential than ever as humankind is in the midst of a true cultural and social transformation. Humankind is searching for a better world, but tragically without a corresponding spiritual advancement. In the Vatican II document PASTORAL CONSTITUTION IN THE MODERN WORLD (Gaudium et Spes), it speaks of how “the human race has passed from a rather static concept of reality to a more dynamic, evolutionary one. In consequence, there has arisen a new series of problems, calling for efforts of analysis and synthesis.” What Vatican II is saying is that Catholicism needs to become a more prophetic and contemplative faith that leads to greater spiritual discernment. Discernment of the Spirits is more important than ever to overcome an imbalance between specialized human activity and a comprehensive view of reality that directs the mind to solutions which are fully human. This was the mind of Christ. In summary, small church faith communities and Bible study groups are encouraged to consider scrutinizing the signs of the time by way of critical social analysis, spiritual discernment, and the work of the Holy Spirit. We the faithful are “Cathedral Builders”, never to see the end of our work. This is an evolutionary movement. As followers of Christ, we can learn to see ourselves as ongoing co-creators with God for the goodness of the entire human race.