Spiritual Growth in Gaudium et Spes from Vatican II
Lumen Gentium and Gaudium et Spes both seem to focus on Church policies and procedures. They don’t seem to be about spiritual growth at all. Yet, the Second Vatican Council reminds us that the mission of the Church belongs to everyone.
Gaudium et Spes discusses how the Church needs to respond to the modern world. People often misunderstand the message of this document. They think it says that the Church needs to modernize. But Gaudium et Spes actually says that the Church needs to be more aware of the “signs of the times.” It needs to elevate what is authentically good for humanity. It also needs to be aware of the areas where the world might be especially open to the Gospel. The Council did not teach that the Church needs to be more relevant to the world. Rather, it taught that the Church is always relevant to the world. The world always needs the Gospel. But the Church needs to be aware of what questions the world is asking. It needs to answer those questions in light of the Gospel. . It needs to see what crises it faces. It needs to show the world that Jesus is the answer to these crises. The goal is to show humanity that the Gospel has the answers to humanity’s deepest questions and needs.
Gaudium et Spes invites you to ask yourself
- Authentic human development is a constant theme of Gaudium et Spes. Authentic human development helps human beings to flourish spiritually and physically. The Council acknowledges the positive aspects of modern development. But it also acknowledges the challenges and downfalls. Gaudium et Spes invites us to open our eyes to what is good about the modern world. It also asks us to see what fails to bring about authentic human development. Without this perspective, we blindly accept or condemn modern developments. What leads to authentic human development in your life?
- Acknowledging the challenges and evils of the modern world calls us to conversion. Conversion means changing our own lives to conform ourselves to Christ. But it also means doing what we can to bring the world around us in line with authentic human development. What can you do to make the world a better place?
- Some specific themes of Gaudium et Spes are human dignity, family, the development of culture, and the authentic development of the economy. Which of these areas do you have the power to influence in a positive way? What can you do to make a difference?
- Our tasks as disciples of Christ is to conform the world to the Gospel. We are to be Christian first and members of the world second. Our tendency is to get wrapped up in the world. If we’re not careful we can find that we become conformed to the world.
“Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). In what ways do you see yourself conforming to the world? Where are you in need of renewal?
If we are going to bring the Gospel into the world and transform our society, we need to first make sure that we are in the process of conversion, renewal, and growth ourselves. Then we need to find the courage to confront the evils and the errors around us so we can make the world a better place.