WHY LSS?

QUESTION: In our prayer meeting, almost half of those attending have not gone through a Life in the Spirit Seminar. Is there really a need for them to attend the LSS?

ANSWER: Since the Charismatic Renewal began in the Catholic Church in the late 1960s, many people have been brought into a living relationship with the Living One. In large part, the Life in the Spirit Seminar (LSS) has been responsible for that. Why? Because of its "primarily evangelistic character." The LSS Team Manual goes on to explain that the seminar is "designed to take the basic message of Christianity and to proclaim it anew so that those who hear it can make a renewed commitment to the Lord in a way which will allow them to receive a fuller experience of the work of the Spirit in their lives."

In a predominantly Catholic country such as the Philippines, it would be tempting to assume that most people are Catholic-baptized, yes… sacramentalized, to some extent… but evangelized and catechized, no! For many Filipinos, being "Catholic" is part of the cultural landscape, with no real significance or consequence to their lives.

Thus, an evangelistic program like the LSS (or its equivalent), with its explicitly evangelical character, often becomes the door through which an individual understands the fundamental Gospel message, decides to change his life and follow Jesus Christ, and receives the power to do so.

So, do you see the importance of the LSS as a necessary ingredient to successful prayer meetings and (needless to say) prayer groups? I will say further: It is not enough to assume that, just because a person is attending regularly, singing songs with gusto and even raising his hands in worship, means that he is truly converted. The LSS (or similar program) can at least bring a person through a process where conversion is the explicit goal.

For me, this raises the question why your group is unable to offer the Life in the Spirit Seminar regularly. Is it because of lack of appreciation of the importance of the LSS? (You know my answer by now!) Is it because of lack of participants? (That doesn't seem to be in your case.) No time? (Make time for it - it's crucial!) No resources, speakers, and so forth? (Be creative in finding resources elsewhere.) In other words, there is no reason why your group cannot offer the LSS regularly.

One last point to remember: The LSS is not enough. It is only the first step, the beginning of a lifetime of continual conversion. Notice that the seminar itself ends with some practical ways of growing in one's faith: Prayer, Scripture Reading, Community Life, Service, and the Sacraments. Among these five ways, "community life" means both a more active participation in the life of the Catholic Church, and being part of a small community (e.g., prayer group, BEC, "transparochial" or "covenant community"). While it is admirable that you have people regularly attending your prayer meetings who have not yet gone through the LSS, it is like putting the cart before the carabao: First get them to undergo successfully the LSS, and then you will see them growing even more quickly in their life as Christians as they are nourished through the prayer meeting.

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