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Spiritual Profile

The Body of Christ

“Jesus said to him, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)
- Jesus is the light of the world. He came in order to pierce through the cloud of darkness which sin has covered over the earth. Jesus made the way for his presence to remain in the world through the Catholic Church. (1) The Eucharist - which is the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus. (2) And Baptism - where created persons die and are given new life though Jesus, with Jesus, and in Jesus. By the grace of the Holy Spirit, the baptized become part of the Mystical Body of Christ and bear the light of Jesus into the world of darkness.
The Spiritual Profile
of a Living Monstrance

"But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you and you will be my witnesses...to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
- Jesus’ desire is to draw you into your own wholeness and into communion with Himself and those in His Mystical Body. As you follow this path, you become enwrapped by the Fire of Divine Love and your unique flame grows brighter and brighter. As you walk, you become a Living Monstrance that shows the Body of Christ to the world.
  The Spiritual Profile presents a design for your Spiritual Communion. We have five spaces in our lives (spirituality, relationship, work, community, and mission) each having a unique life, yet intimately intertwined to make up the whole of yourself. Each of the five spaces has a channel for connection in your relationship with God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, the saints, and the wholeness of your body and soul. That channel can be understood as one of the Ten Pillars, or Jesus who moves, and lives, and loves in and through you. As you grow in your communion with Jesus, the bestowing vocation of that space unveils and you grow in your communion with God and the Saints and the wholeness of your body and soul.
- The Five Vocations
  
  Spirituality
  The space of Spirituality is oriented toward your growing communion with the Father in your 1st vocation of being a son or daughter of God. In this space, you develop your unique song to the Lord.
  
  Relationship
  The space of Relationship is oriented toward your growing communion with the Son in your 2nd vocation of embracing your life's path to heaven either in marriage or celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom. In this space, you receive your crowning of authority made possible in Jesus and develop your unique participation of his threefold office of priest, prophet, and king.
  
  Work
  The space of Work is oriented toward your growing communion with the Holy Spirit in your 3rd vocation of living the gift that you are. In this space, you develop your unique ministry to build for the Kingdom, serve, and glorify God.
  
  Community
  The space of Community is oriented toward your growing communion with the saints in your 4th vocation of a marriage of vocations. In this space, you develop your unique bond to each of the holy ones by the covenant in Jesus.
  
  Mission
  The space of Mission is oriented toward your growing communion with your body and soul in your 5th vocation of bearing Jesus into the world. In this space, you develop the unique vessel of your being that carries the life of God.
The Ten Pillars
- You have a primary and a secondary pillar in each of the five spaces, resulting in a unique order of the ten pillars. The pillars are the channels through which Jesus leads you into communion in that space. The list below gives a short description of the kind of behaviors related to each of the Ten Pillars. Reflect on which space you most naturally live that pillar or ask the following questions to try to match a pillar to each of the five spaces of your life.
  
  Spirituality: When do you feel most connected to God?
  Relationship: When do you feel most yourself in your (spiritual) motherhood or fatherhood?
  Work/Ministry: When do you feel most efficient and effective in your work?
  Community: When do you feel like you belong in your community?
  Mission: When do you feel a burning fire that never runs out?
- Prayer
  Adoration, conversing with God, journaling, devotionals, prayer practices (such as ACTS), praise and worship, contemplation
  Liturgy
  participation in the Mass, praying the Liturgy of the Hours, celebrating the Saints and Feasts
  Culture
  appreciating or engaging in art, music, craft, skill, performance, sport, movement, dialogue, language, words, nature, cuisine, fashion, shared meals, shared experiences
  Hospitality
  hosting, entertaining, communications, events, orientation, environment, safety, support, etiquette, ensuring rest and refreshment
  Formation
  intellectual engagement of developing minds, hearts, bodies, and spirits into a physical, spiritual, and interpersonal maturity
- Fellowship
  gathering, appreciation, validation, togetherness, intimacy, accountability, belonging in brotherhood, sisterhood, or friendship
  Stewardship
  volunteering, contributing, involved, offering your unique gifts, talents, resources, strengths, and charisms
  Discipleship
  membership, apprenticeship, mentorship, empowerment, leadership, vision, mission, values, strategy, planning, structure, procedures, solutions
  Inreach
  offering a helping hand, love and service to neighbor by deed, word, or prayer, spiritual/corporal works of mercy
  Outreach
  founder, builder, entrepreneur, missionary, evangelizer, preacher, recruiter, going out to reach others
Practical Application

Developing a spirituality of communion
- Spiritual Houses and Families
- How to Understand your spiritual profile
  Going Deeper: Reflect on how each pillar was developed in your life: what were the influences, circumstances, relationships, and opportunities that formed that pillar? Take notice that if you experience stress or anxiety, you may be building upon a pillar that is not natural for that space. Acknowledge that it is Jesus who built your order of pillars by orchestrating the circumstances of your life. This is done because he knows you and loves you. When you express yourself in that way, let it be in praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for his love.

Spiritual Profile

The Spiritual Family Methodology by Annie Buehnerkemper