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Editor: Bishop, on April 9 Pope Francis published his third apostolic exhortation, “Gaudete et Exsultate.” What was the Holy Father’s intent with this particular exhortation?
Bishop Vásquez: The Holy Father says very clearly that his purpose in writing this exhortation is to “repropose the call to holiness in a practical way for our own time, with all its risks, challenges and opportunities.” He wants us to remember that we are all called to holiness. Citing Vatican II and Lumen Gentium, he recalls that all people –– whatever state in life they may find themselves in –– are called to be holy.
Pope Francis gives very clear illustrations and examples, so the apostolic exhortation is easy to understand yet it is challenging. One of the best examples he gives is about a woman who while shopping meets a neighbor at the grocery store. Before they know it they are gossiping, but the woman decides not to partake in the gossip so she leaves. The Holy Father says that is one step of holiness. The woman goes home and her child wants to speak to her about their dreams, and although she is tired, she sits down and listens to the child. That is another step toward holiness. Later she is disturbed and anxious, so she begins to pray the rosary. That is another step of holiness. Finally, she encounters a poor person on the street and treats him with kindness.
All of these steps are leading this woman to holiness, and in our daily lives all of us have very similar experiences to this woman. He is teaching us that holiness is available to each one of us through ordinary gestures.
Editor: Pope Francis discusses gnosticism and pelagianism is the second chapter of “Gaudete et Exsultate.” What are they and how do they detract from holiness?
Bishop Vásquez: Pope Francis sees two dangerous or “false forms” of holiness in the world today: gnosticism and pelagianism. They are found not only in the world but also right here in our church. He warns us to be careful because they are both quite subtle. “…many Christians, perhaps without realizing it, can be seduced by these deceptive ideas,” he says in paragraph 35.
Gnosticism is the understanding that the way one becomes holy or gets close to God is through what one knows. The word “gnos” means knowledge. Gnosticism is an elitist view that only a few possess ultimate knowledge – the idea that we possess the truth and no one else does. However, Pope Francis says that just because we have great knowledge does not necessarily mean that we are holy. “…What we think we know should always motivate us to respond more fully to God’s love,” he says in paragraph 45.
Pelagianism is also a very big concern for Pope Francis. Pelagians think they can achieve holiness through their human will or personal effort. They think what they do will win them their place in heaven and they forget about the grace the Lord bestows upon each of us. “[God’s] friendship infinitely transcends us; we cannot buy it with our works, it can only be a gift born of his loving initiative,” he writes in paragraph 54.
Editor: How do the Beatitudes lead us to holiness according to the exhortation?
Bishop Vásquez: Pope Francis gives us a beautiful reflection on the Beatitudes in the heart of the apostolic exhortation. As Pope Francis states in paragraph 63, “Jesus explained with great simplicity what it means to be holy when he gave us the Beatitudes.”
The Holy Father makes a very strong connection between the spiritual activities and actions rooted in mercy. In fact, he says they cannot be separated, and the authenticity of our prayer will be shown in how we become and act more humbly and more mercifully.
Editor: Many of those who have reviewed this exhortation have called it a practical guide to holiness. What are some of the other practical ways he suggests?
Bishop Vásquez: There are ordinary, common ways to holiness. One of the very basic things he says leads us to holiness is prayer. “Trust-filled prayer is a response of a heart open to encountering God face to face, where all is peaceful and the quiet voice of the Lord can be heard in the midst of silence,” he writes in paragraph 149.
The pope also talks about making sacrifices. Ordinary sacrifices, such as the sacrifices made by the woman in the store, lead each of us to holiness.
Another thing he talks about is being joyful. “Be holy by living out your commitment with joy. Are you married? Be holy by loving and caring for your husband or wife, as Christ does for the Church. Do you work for a living? Be holy by laboring with integrity and skill in the service of your brothers and sisters. Are you a parent or grandparent? Be holy by patiently teaching the little ones how to follow Jesus. Are you in a position of authority? Be holy by working for the common good and renouncing personal gain,” he says in paragraph 14.
Editor: He also discusses spiritual combat and discernment in the final chapter. How does discernment help us fight evil?
Bishop Vásquez: Pope Francis is very clear that all Christians are involved in spiritual warfare, “The Christian life is a constant battle,” he says in paragraph 158. Those who are seeking to be holy are going to be challenged, we are going to struggle, we are going to have to fight for holiness. We are not simply struggling against our own weaknesses and sins, we are battling evil spirits. The devil, Pope Francis says, is not an old fashion idea. “The devil does not need to possess us. He poisons us with the venom of hatred, desolation, envy and vice. When we let down our guard, he takes advantage of it to destroy our lives, our families and our communities,” he says in paragraph 161.
“For this spiritual combat, we can count on the powerful weapons that the Lord has given us: faith-filled prayer, meditation on the word of God, the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic adoration, sacramental Reconciliation, works of charity, community life, missionary outreach. If we become careless, the false promises of evil will easily seduce us,” he continues in paragraph 162.
Editor: What is your prayer for all of us as we strive for holiness?
Bishop Vásquez: My prayer is that the Holy Father’s apostolic exhortation awakens us to the desire of becoming holy. Ordinary daily events can lead us to holiness. Ordinary moments of quiet and prayer offer wonderful opportunities to become holy. Holiness is not only found by becoming a priest, a sister or religious. Those are vocations that have their own dignity and they are good, and they lead people to holiness, but Pope Francis says husbands, wives, single people and young people are called and do live holy lives.
Let us all discover God’s call to holiness and respond fully so that we may experience fulfillment and great joy. Let us ask the intercession of Mary, Mother of God, who always helps us grow in holiness.