Spirituality for a world in distress

We live a time of distress, which is understood as a danger and also as an opportunity to contemplate the new things that are sprouting, although it is not always easy to perceive it. We need to look for ways of wisdom, insight and courage that allow us to walk towards life, humanization, globalization of solidarity and justice. Jesus of Nazareth accompanies us along this path; he is a guide who shows us values, paths to walk towards a greater justice and fraternity; he is a witness of fidelity and coherence, who went as far as to give his life; he is a faithful believer, a horizon that makes us hope that love is stronger than death.

Nowadays words are not enough: what is important are the meaningful lives before life’s inconsistencies, linked to our weakness; that’s why this book encourages us to be witnesses of the mystery of Love that we have discovered in the depths of our being.

EMMA MARTÍNEZ OCAÑA is Bachelor in History and Spiritual Theology. She has worked as professor of Psychology of Religion and Integration and psycho-spiritual maturity at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas. Individual and group psychotherapist, she directs spiritual exercises and runs psycho-spiritual integration workshops. She is a member of the Theresian Association, of the Association of Spanish Theologians and of Women and Theology. She collaborates regularly with specialized magazines and is the author of five other books in this same collection.

INDEX

INTRODUCTION. Rapprochement to the notion “spirituality”

A WORLD IN DISTRESS

DISTRESS AS DANGER

1. Night time: We must light some stars. Jesus was a man who knew how to light up the night. Internalization exercises: Knowing that we are inhabited creatures

2. Time of chaos: Storms, tempests. Casting off, setting the sails. Jesus was a man who knew how to face the storms with the steadiness of his faith. Exercises of internalization. Being aware that we live in a time of chaos.

3. Time to close borders, to build walls: Building bridges of dialogue. Jesus was a man who tear down walls and built dialogue. Exercises of internalization: Being aware of the borders that we raise.

A WORLD IN DISTRESS

DISTRESS AS OPPORTUNITY

1. Time of dawn: A new citizenship and spirituality. Jesus discovered and built the dawn of the Good News. Exercises of internalization. The novelty that Jesus brings.

2. Rainbow: Building a true multi cultural society. Jesus was a man who knew how to live diversity as wealth. Exercises of internalization.

3. Time for setting networks, links, relationships: Cultivating a holistic spirituality. Jesus had a committed life, entangled in a project that he called the Kingdom of God. Exercises of internalization. Being aware that we are a network, we are connected.

ANNEX. Community celebration

BIBLIOGRAPHY