Delos Reyes, Donnaliza S.

12, 2013
BSPT 2-4
Assignment

Nov.

Research on the following meaning:

o Spirituality
The spirituality comes from its root word, which is spirit. The suffix
-uality qualifies the use of spirit in this instance. So the basic definition of
spirituality is the quality of ones sensitivity to the things of the spirit.
Spirituality is the premise that we regard the human being and/or the rest
of creation as composed not only of matter, but of something immaterial,
something invisible, and something beyond our present knowledge. There is
always more to what we can perceive with our senses and know with our
reason.
So the basic meaning of spirituality is that it is a term which
encompasses everything that we cannot see directly with our eyes, directly
perceive by the other senses and know by our mere reason. That is
spirituality in its basic meaning. Spirituality is more of an individual
practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose. It also
relates to the process of developing beliefs around the meaning of life and
connection with others.
Spirituality is also used as a way of gaining perspective, recognizing that
our role in life has a greater value than just what we do every day. It can
separate a person from dependence on material things and establish a
greater purpose. Some people also see spirituality as a way of coping with
change or uncertainty.
o Transformation and Social Transformation
Transformation is an act, process, or instance of transforming or being
transformed. It is the change in form, appearance, or structure. In the Bible,
transformation means change or renewal from a life that no longer
conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases God (Romans 12:2).
This is accomplished by the renewing of our minds, an inward spiritual
transformation that will manifest itself in outward actions. The Bible presents
the transformed life in Christ as demonstrated through our bearing fruit in
every good work [and] growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).

Transformation involves those who were once far from God being drawn
near to Him through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13).
Moreover, evidence of transformation within us is seen in the way we
increasingly reflect the likeness and glory of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). For
as the apostle Paul said, You, however, are controlled not by the sinful
nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does
not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ (Romans 8:9). To
be considered as children of God, we must be led by the Spirit of God. And it
is through the power of Gods Spirit that Christ lives within us. The
transformed life mirrors the attitude of the apostle Paul: I have been
crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live
in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself
for me (Galatians 2:20).
Transformed lives begin with the gospel message of Christ, for in it is
the power of God. It is the gospel that brings us salvation: I am not
ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the
gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith
from first to last, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith
(Romans 1:16-17).
Just before he died, the apostle Peter provided us specific instructions
on how we are to live out our transformed lives: His divine power has given
us everything we need for life and godliness ... for if you do these things, you
will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:3-11).
Social transformation is the process by which an individual alters
the socially ascribed social status of their parents into a socially achieved
status for themselves. However another definition refers to large scale social
change as in cultural reforms or transformations. The first occurs with the
individual, the second with the social system. Social transformation is
considered an interpersonal negotiation because it requires that the
individual have their social position be validated by others for
transformation. It is a reciprocal relationship in which people have to be
embraced and correctly identified with the cultural expectations of their
particular class membership. This is the only way that persons can move
from their own ascribed status to a new achieved status.
o Social Teaching of the Church

Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith.

Its roots are in the Hebrew prophets who announced God's special love for
the poor and called God's people to a covenant of love and justice. It is a
teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came "to bring
glad tidings to the poor . . . liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the
blind"(Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with "the least of these," the
hungry and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:45). Catholic social teaching is built on a
commitment to the poor. This commitment arises from our experiences of
Christ in the Eucharist.
As the Catechism of the Catholic Church explains, "To receive in truth the
Body and Blood of Christ given up for us, we must recognize Christ in the
poorest, his brethren" (no. 1397).
Catholic social teaching emerges from the truth of what God has
revealed to us about himself. We believe in the triune God whose very nature
is communal and social. God the Father sends his only Son Jesus Christ and
shares the Holy Spirit as his gift of love. God reveals himself to us as one who
is not alone, but rather as one who is relational, one who is Trinity. Therefore,
we who are made in God's image share this communal, social nature. We are
called to reach out and to build relationships of love and justice.
Catholic social teaching is based on and inseparable from our
understanding of human life and human dignity. Every human being is
created in the image of God and redeemed by Jesus Christ, and therefore is
invaluable and worthy of respect as a member of the human family. Every
person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent
dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Human dignity comes
from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment.
Our commitment to the Catholic social mission must be rooted in and
strengthened by our spiritual lives. In our relationship with God we
experience the conversion of heart that is necessary to truly love one
another as God has loved us.

References:
http://spirituality4now.blogspot.com/2010/02/meaning-of-spirituality.html
http://au.reachout.com/what-is-spirituality

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/transform
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transformation
http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-transformation.html