Rijshan A.

Canapi 8/10/2021
Gr. XI- Integrity

Character Sketch
Spirituality and religion can easily be confused with one after the other, but there
are some very distinctive differences between the two. Spirituality is more of one’s own
practice and has to do with having a sense of peace and purpose in life, while Religion
is a specific set of organized beliefs and practices, that one chooses to follow either on
his own or usually shared with a community or a group.
The character sketch of a person who is spiritual usually is someone who shows
good works of faith and has a good spirit indeed, whatever his religion may be. His
looks though, might not reveal that he has it in him, but rather his actions will make up
so much for it. His spirituality evokes so much positivity because he has already
achieved inner peace, optimism, compassion, unconditional love, is egoless, humble,
responsible and very simple that it will reflect itself on how he speaks and deals with
others and will radiate from his ways rather than his looks. He may look like the regular
guy next door, or the free-spirited man who has never worn any formal wear his entire
life, yet puts high value in his own sense of spirituality, thus reflect a very positive
aspect of his human life...
A spiritual person is not entirely selfless. Usually this kind of person values highly
his sense of spirituality because he feels it is helpful for his own physical, social, and
mental well-being. It develops harmony, peace and happiness from within. It also
follows that a spiritual person feels affection for God because he feels so much
goodness and contentment from within. It doesn’t matter anymore from what religion he
is, the important thing is, he radiates positivity and other people surround him, thus they
also reciprocate the goodness that he gives.
 On the other hand, a religious person, especially a devout Catholic is someone
who oftentimes display his act of prayer by doing what he is so used to do. He does his
prayer by reciting by reciting his rosaries oftentimes but right after returns to his usual
stubborn self to his neighbor.
Just to clarify, a religious, Catholic person is not all negative. He is a Christian,
and Christians believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and the Holy Trinity: God the
Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. He knows his God and is fully aware of
his power and his presence. That is also the reason why he submits himself to His
sacraments. Through his participation in the seven sacraments, he is enable to develop
a deeper connection with his religion. A religious person feels the need to fulfill his
duties and obligation as a Catholic, such as with the sacrament of Eucharist and
Reconciliation. He believes that Jesus is truly present in the bread and wine. As well as
he also believes that when he confesses his sins sincerely to a priest, his sins are truly
forgiven through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. A religious person also puts his faith
in the important role that saints play in his life, in a way that even though people die, he
stays in touch with us and they can help or intercede for us to God. He experiences the
love of God not only directly from Him but also through the goodness of others.
A truly religious person gradually comes to understand that there is more to life
what he sees happening. He gradually comes to realize that God is present to us and
touches us, for example, through the beauty of a sunset or the raindrops, the concern of
our parents, the feeling of being in love and our desire to give of ourselves to other
people.
These are the characteristics of a truly religious person. He both believes the
Scripture and tradition and make the most out of it.