Salvation vs. Sanctification

From our Spiritual Advisor:

Salvation vs. Sanctification. What is the difference? What is the meaning to us Cursillistas?

Typically, “Salvation” is thought of as being able to achieve salvation or to lose salvation. That is being in a state of grace or being out of a state of grace. To be in a state of grace we are saved and to be in a state of sin we are not saved. But what is the truth of the matter, there is but one salvation and it is salvation to all of humankind. This salvific event has occurred because Jesus the Christ made it occur through him. The salvation event has happened, and it has happened to all humankind. This is what we celebrate at Easter in particular.

If we were to take time to reflect on this event in our human history, we would quickly understand that God, the creator of all humankind, wishes a deep relationship with all of God’s creation. The Salvation event has allowed all humankind to participate in a closer, deeper relationship with the creator. All humankind is invited through the act of salvation in Jesus the Christ.

You may ask then, if everyone is saved, what is there to do? We hear from our protestant brothers and sisters on occasion, “Once saved always saved”. In a sense this is true since Jesus sacrificed himself for all of humankind. We, as humans, can’t undo salvation. Salvation has happened. From that time of salvation until now, God seeks a deepening relationship with each of us. When we act as God wishes us to act, we deepen our relationship. When we don’t act as God wishes us to act, we strain that relationship.

It all about growing in a love relationship with God. This is where sanctification comes into play. God offers to us every opportunity to grow deeper in relationship. This process is what might be termed “Sanctification”. We have all heard about Sanctifying Grace. Remember the weekend. Sanctifying Grace is received in the Sacraments of the Catholic Church, Sanctifying Grace is received in the acts of kindness that we participate in throughout our lives. Recognizing the grace that God bestows on us when we work as God would have us work to bring about the deepening of relationship with God to others actually brings us closer in relationship with God.

As Cursillistas we pledge to “Make a Friend” and “Be a Friend” and to “Bring a Friend to Christ”. These aren’t just words but an action which is Sanctifying. We are called to be the means of Sanctifying Grace.

So, when we are speaking about others in a disparaging way or treat others in an un–Christ like way, we move ourselves and those who hear us away from a deepening relationship with God.

Ponder this suggestion. If eternity is based solely on our earthly relationship with God, what would our eternity look like? What would our eternity feel like? Heaven vs. Hell could be just that. A close relationship with God or a distant relationship with God. What might your eternity look like and are you bringing this notion of relationship with God to those around you? Watch what you post on Social Media. There is a lot of hate out there on Social Media. Don’t be part of hate speech. Jesus didn’t speak words of hate, only comfort.

Deacon Tom Soper

St. Catherine of Siena and St. Clement parishes of Toledo

Run Better with Lent!

From Our Spiritual Advisor:

Dear Sinners, 

As Lent begins and ashes are traced on our foreheads, we acknowledge that we have not always lived up to the lofty promises made at the time of our baptism.  It doesn't make sense, does it? The Lord offers us authentic joy, meaning and purpose in life, inner freedom, love without end, and a share in divine life -- all that our hearts ultimately long for.  We start off with so much going for us because of baptism ... and yet, here we are, all too soon in the same mess:  straying in other directions, forgetting who we are and whose we are. (Sigh) 

What must we do to get back to that original grace and fervor of Baptism?   The Muslims have something comparable to Lent in Ramadan, the month of strict fasting from dawn till dusk.  We need an annual opportunity to take a serious look at ourselves and to size up how we are or aren't growing more Christ-like in our attitudes and behaviors.  We need the discipline of Lenten practices to restore our alertness to what really matters in life.  It's like getting the car serviced or the piano tuned or getting new lenses in our glasses.  We "run" better because of Lent.  We look more like the followers of Christ we desire to be and promised to be at the time of our baptism. 

Lent began in the Church as a way for the whole People of God to join the Elect during these last six weeks of their preparation for baptism.  Inspired by the zeal of these people, we use Lent as a time to get our hearts ready to renew our own Baptismal promises at Easter. 

Lent is also a perfect time to regain some self-discipline and self control if we've become self-indulgent or just too spiritually lazy for our own good.  We may make a promise to do something or to avoid something for 40 days, to "get us back in shape" physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, etc.  I call that the "endurance mode" of Lenten sacrifice.  When Lent is over, our plans are over as well.  But the discipline, the “spring training” has been good for us.  We're probably most accustomed to this type of Lenten practice.   

There is, however, another approach to Lenten practice.  We can take a serious and honest look at ourselves, at our good and bad habits, the particular weakness in us that so easily deteriorates into sin.   We let God reveal our own "darkness" to us and then we ask for help to think of one practice that, if we do it regularly for about six weeks, we will have formed a good habit and will continue with it after Lent.  I call that the "conversion mode" of Lenten sacrifice. It’s up to us individually, following the Spirit’s prompting, to decide which form of Lenten sacrifice we most need to be renewed in our baptismal commitment. 

No matter what we decide to do, let’s do something! And surely, I do sense the efforts of so many of us to let go of sin and bad habits, and "seek the Lord."   We all know that it’s easier to stay faithful to the task when we have the support of the rest of the community.  That’s where group reunions and Ultreyas can be such a help.  Don’t overlook the method we’ve been introduced to through Cursillo. We can use those sharing times to hold ourselves accountable to our efforts to change and to receive the encouragement we need to continue our openness to transformation. 

Let’s not miss the grace of the journey!  

May you have a very blessed Lent! Love and prayers, 

Sr. Edna 

Warming Up

From Our Lay Directors:

I enjoy welcoming in the month of March. Although cold weather is not yet a memory, there are more than occasional sunny days and warmer temperatures to lift my heart and brighten my spirit. Crocuses and hyacinths begin to peek out from the frozen earth. For me, there’s nothing like seeing new growth emerge after the ice of recent days. 

This growth reminds me of the time in our church calendar that we are entering, the season of Lent. Many of us look at Lent as a time for growth in our spiritual lives, taking advantage of this opportunity to look for ways, new or old, to make a little progress on our journey of ongoing conversion that could possibly continue after Easter. What might it be this year? An extra weekday Mass? Watching some programs on FORMED? Downloading an app that contains some new ways to pray, or understand our prayers better? (I’ve recently begun listening to “Rosary in a Year’. Quite enlightening and helpful. And yes, I know it’s March, and the podcast started in January. 😊) Then there’s attending Stations of the Cross or parish missions or helping with some acts of service or mercy. And of course, offering prayer and palanca for the upcoming Cursillos makes such a difference for the candidates and team. 

I know that my Savior died for me to save me from my sins, that God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him. John 3:16 tells us that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” How can we use this time of Lent so that our lives better reflect our overwhelming gratitude for God’s love for us?  

DeColores & Ultreya

John & Kathy