Organized Charismatic Groups in Communities and the Benefits They Offer - Essay Example

Organized Charismatic Groups in Communities and the Benefits They Offer Introduction In describing a social I would like to focus this piece on the family and the youth. Sometime ago, I was so immersed with my studies and activities considered for fun, forgetting what is most relevant in my life as a human being, that which concerns my soul. I became too busy with the now and not the things God has prepared for me. I was becoming too heavy, my conscience wouldn’t allow me to move: lazy and heavier everyday with burdens that cannot be carried in my journey as a pilgrim here on earth. There was a calling, something from within. “Go, explore, fill the missing parts inside you!” I decided some inner cleansing. There were questions and I sought answers, trying to find it everywhere, though I didn’t know it was just so near. In the institutions of man, aided by God’s guidance and graces, there are already installed safeguards and answers that if we only know how to discern, we would not go far or divert from where we are really going. We just have to focus. One of these groups that have become institutions and instruments of God’s propagation of faith and love is the so-called charismatic group. From the small parishes spring small organizations or groups, others are called church-mandated organizations like the Familia, and other smaller groups that require assistance and cooperation of the so-called laity, such as the charismatic groups, or the traditional Cursillos in Christianity. The Charismatics In my journey to these groups in the Christian faith, I was most attracted to the charismatic group. I was so intrigued by the actuations of some of the members that I tried to observe their activities. From the start, I thought they were overacting their faith because in their actions they were trying to goad people into joining their seminars and “indoctrination”. Some members who are friends of mine have asked me to join their so-called healing sessions and prayer groups. Indeed, they laid their hands on me and on anyone who ask their prayer and help, like they were “real saints”. I attempted and I was really puzzled. So I tried to give them some time. And not only did I join them but later I became a part of them. Weekly prayer meetings, fellowships, and later on seminars filled up my activities. I soon forgot what I was previously busy about – the material things of this world. Soon I learned what this group was all about. The charismatic religious activity, whose members are the parishioners or the community members, is one of the phenomena in religious gatherings, in these times when other activities are perceived boring to the believers. Somehow the Church – to my opinion – has injected some lively touches into the people’s normal religious activities that they introduced this kind of prayer and social interaction among the young and the old. At first, I thought this was another “gimmick”. Some priests or bishops may have feared that their members of the flock have gone to the other side because in some other sects or religious denominations, they have been singing and dancing while praying. Those were thoughts. Later, I came to know what they were really doing. The charismatic prayer meetings are sanctioned by the Church. This is one of its instruments to maintain the unity of the members and to make Christians active in their faith, and also to really make their prayers and reunions lively and attractive. It is where the parish priest can also enrich his pastoral activities to motivate parishioners to act their faith and participate in the priesthood of Christ. The Catholic Church follows a hierarchy, from the Pope who resides in the Vatican in Rome down to the bishops and priests in the small parishes. The charismatic groups are directly under the parish priests and the Parish Pastoral Council. The Parish Pastoral Council is like any other council but it does not govern. It does however cooperate with the priest in the supervision of activities within the parish. This is the same as the council in the Anglican setting. It is composed of a set of officers led by the president. Some other officers also function like the other functions of officers in ordinary organizations. They have the vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, etc. Dominant in its function is to carry out the policies of the priest and the parish as a whole. It encourages the parishioners and the faithful to continue to be alive in their faith. It also defends the teachings of their faith from other sects who are trying to malign their beliefs. Moreover, the charismatic group is more of an activity, a religious or spiritual activity, rather than an organization. On the other hand, there maybe other charismatic groups that have become serious in their being religious organizations and may have separate activities other than the activities of the parish and its jurisdiction. Some of these charismatic groups have diverted from parish activities to where they belong. In a way, they have become autonomous. Some of them have gone to being independent organizations, and have registered legally with government institutions. But I think this is discouraged by the Catholic Church because they tend to become a sect by itself. What should be encouraged, in my own opinion, is for them to be under the guidance of the parish priest so that they would not tend to divert from the original teachings. There are countless charismatic groups in many parts of the world. Each is independent from the others, but they share the same objectives and goals and that is for unity in Christ and his church. The membership of a charismatic group may not be exclusive to the Catholics but there are also groups from other denominations, such as those from the Protestant, the so-called Born-Again Christians, and other smaller Christian denominations. In other words, various denominations and faiths form their own charismatic groups. They conduct their activities such as seminars and other religious and spiritual activities. What are the advantages to forming charismatic groups? For me, this is advantageous to any Christian sect. First, their religion or sect has become lively in its gathering. The members have become active and more concerned of their faith and unity of their organization as a whole, and they have become more zealous in their membership. Since various denominations have formed their own charismatic groups, each group is guarding its members not to join the others. The disadvantage is that the group members seem more concerned of their organizations rather than their spiritual life. However, I still can say that the advantages far outweigh than the disadvantages. Membership Membership is for everyone in the community who wants to have a spiritual renewal and to experience the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Active ones are the youth, sons and daughters of parishioners, and to include parents and the older ones in the family. In the Catholic Church, this is specifically encouraged on the parishioners so that they become active and leaders in their faith. In fact, family groups are encouraged to join. Focus is on the youth, the “sheep” or members of the flock who have gone astray, those who seek refuge because of life’s insurmountable problems, and the different classes of society, boys and girls, men and women, rich and poor. There’s an inspiring note on our group because we don’t discriminate color and status in life. We take everyone who wants to be a part of the group, who likes to have a spiritual enrichment, and to share their experiences in life. There are some reasons behind the emergence of these activities in churches throughout the country and even in other lands. Some churches and, shall we say, sects have truly been active in their teachings. Some have gone to the extent of proselytizing and they do this in the form of Bible studies or fellowship. The churches’ answer? Charismatic groups. Each formed their own charismatic groups to entice their flock to remain and faithful with the teachings. In my own personal observation, I can say that there are as many charismatic groups as there are many churches in the entire Christendom. The group where I belong now has a great impact in our church’s activities. Almost every parishioner is a member of the charismatic group. It’s as if membership to the group is a prerequisite to membership of the church. And this is what makes the services and masses lively. Songs and some “rituals” in the charismatic group seem incorporated in the masses and services. There are revivals, yes, but the new thing is the Catholic mass is bearing some charismatic songs, and even dances into it. However, this group to which I have devoted my time, is more of a spiritual activity rather than as an organization. There are no questions of organizational matters except that we usually discuss subjects pertaining to our spiritual life. Seldom do we discuss things about duties and obligations of the members and the officers. Everyone knows what his/her own duties and responsibilities. We are just focused on things pertaining to the soul. Activities and Functions Hope springs eternal. This is the gist in a charismatic group. Everyone is inspired to live and hope for a life with God’s graces here and in the after life. One of the activities of a charismatic group is to conduct life-in-the-spirit seminar or LSS. These seminars are spiritually enriching that the moment you attend and become immersed with its singing and dancing, along with prayer and other spiritual activities, you immediately become a part of the group. You would feel you belong to a community. There is no brainwashing, no forcing. All we do is praising and loving God and our neighbor. This is no ordinary seminar because there are memorable and soul-searching parts. It is filled with fellowship, prayer, renewal of the faith, and many others. In the fellowship, you’ll be encouraged to go along with your fellow members of the Christian faith especially the youth, then renew your love and devotion to God, and know how to work for the common good. The seminar also includes Bible study, and getting to know your faith in Christ, the sacraments and other teachings of Jesus Christ. Climax is the “baptism” of the Holy Spirit, i.e. inviting the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts, cleanse our spirits, erase every negative thought that bothers us, and be one with God. This invitation is in the form of prayer with song and music to let God touch our hearts and the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. And indeed the Holy Spirit would not allow us to go home without giving us the gifts. These gifts become a part of us and would help us fight temptations. What are the gifts of the Holy Spirit? These are to speak with wisdom, faith, the gift of healing and do miracles, the gift to prophesy, to speak and interpret in tongues. They become a part of us if we are so blessed by the Holy Spirit. In 1 Cor. 12, Paul reminds us that the gifts of the Spirit (sometimes called charismas) have several aspects. There are gifts, especially evident in leading the community. These should also be called works, because in them man must not praise himself, but all must be seen as the work of God. My memorable experience with the Spirit The first time I was invited to attend the LSS, I immediately sensed I was in another realm. Not only did I experience I belonged to a community under God, but I a love encompassing me as if saying that I belong to God and his family. I want to share this love to my family, my friends, my neighbor, and everyone who needs love and belongingness. Yes, you enrich your spiritual life and are completely changed. The 3-day seminar is a lively spiritual activity; the climax is on the third day wherein you experience a true spiritual renewal filled with the Holy Spirit. After that, you are inspired to work in the vineyard of the Lord, to study and teach your faith and live according to the true teachings of Jesus Christ. Some other activities of the seminar involve readings and study of the Christian faith. We have to know our faith and our purpose in life here on earth. As Rick Warren said, “The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, our peace of mind, or even your happiness. It’s far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions. If you want to know why you were placed on this planet, you must begin with God. You were born by his purpose and for his purpose.” We have to discover our purpose here on earth. We can do this through our daily examination of our conscience and in our intermingling with our fellow Christians, which involves fellowship, one with the community, and helping one another. There are different ways of praising and worshiping God. While others feel that solemnity and contemplative silence before God mean praise and worship, some also feel that keeping our thoughts on God throughout the day and living “honorably before Him because of conscious awareness of Him” constitute praise and worship. Worship does entail the offering of our bodies to God in holy devotion. Romans 12:1 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service”. In worshipping God, we should have the clean heart, and not be hypocritical in our devotion. If we are for the Lord, we do it through actions and with clean hearts. There should be no reservation or doubts in our hearts and minds. Conclusion: Our beliefs and observance of our religions have evolved over time. Changes occur every now and then in the way we pray, meditate and communicate with God, but our belief remains. It is still the same belief that has been inculcated in our hearts, minds and psyche since we were too young to understand and discern them. The introduction of charismatic group has been institutionalized by our respective churches. Whoever may have started it, nobody owns the credit, and there’s no copyright ownership to that except God’s. God may have instituted it without our knowing it as to when it began. He just wants to pray and love and be guided always by the Holy Spirit. The prayer meeting is one lively praying to God to ask His Holy Spirit to be with us always in these times of tests and troubles. May He always be with us until the end of time. References The Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition: Standard Version, 2000. New York: Oxford University Press. Warren, R., 2000. The Purpose Driven Life. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan. Read More