Session #7 continued

Session #7, "Soul Care", (Benner & Moon text, pp. 7-77)
1) Conversion-->the WTS theological theme for Academic Year 2007-08 is described as one the three stages of spiritual formation when the disciple is maturing (p. 20).
Moon and Benner take us through the journey of the Soul Care with 4 major words: healing, sustaining, reconciling and guiding. Then on page 20 we have the three stages of spiritual formation with Conversion being a second stage.
How does conversion relate, correspond, and differ from spiritual formation?
There are many people on a spiritual quest, who are seeking, and spiritual directors can become like a friend or a guide to help them seek God. Bener outlines the role of a spiritual director on page 21. Conversion is God reaching out to us to bring us to the knowledge of his son and salvation as a gift of God as to what Christ has done on the cross for each on of us. I like what is said about spiritual transformation -It is accomplished not by human effort alone it is by God's grace. Conversion can be a one time decision or at one moment or point in time (pontinier) or it can be gradual, a transformation. Spiritual formation is also gradual and on going. Page 60 speaks a lot about that the 'theological focus is on works, on gaining one's salvation rather than accepting the salvation gained for us by Christ, then spiritualliy is also skewed." It is Christ who bring about salvation and not our works. The focus of spiritual formation is on Christ and how to live out the mystery of Christ-in-you.

2) Contrast the roles of the spiritual father (Orthodox) and spiritual director (Roman Catholic) in the life of the church.
Orthodox spiritual father directors seemed to lead the seekers along the path towards purification, illumination and ultimate unio with God. The constant theme has been the cultivation of communio with God, prayer and the transformation it brings.
The spiritual director (Roman Catholic) has changed over the times, More lay persons are taking part including in the confession and pastorial care. Vatican II has had a tremendous effect and there is a reemphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit in the church. These changes listed on 63 are very significant for us to understand the major contribuation of Vatican II. It was helpful to also read about the various Saints and their influence on chaning from the monastic setting to the mor apostolic setting.