During Lent, a bishop invites people to practice ‘spiritual intelligence’

The bishop of San Ignacio de Velasco in Bolivia, Robert Flock, reviewed the different types of intelligence and encouraged the development of “spiritual intelligence,” which allows one to move from a mere understanding of things to true wisdom.

Recalling his youth, the prelate noted that intelligence was measured according to mathematical and verbal abilities. Later, at the university, he became aware of the existence of emotional intelligence, “through which one can perceive, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and those of others,” he recalled.

However, citing psychologist Howard Gardner, he referred to “multiple intelligences,” different forms that include: linguistic-verbal, logical-mathematical, visual-spatial, musical-auditory, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, naturalist, emotional, existential, creative, and collaborative.

“Naturally, this list does not include artificial intelligence, which is not a human capacity but a computer tool that is beginning to dominate information searches,” the prelate clarified.

However, Flock emphasized a type of intelligence that he considers “the most important”: spiritual intelligence.

“At first glance, it sounds like existential intelligence, No. 10, which is defined as ‘meditation on existence, including the meaning of life and death,’ but this would be a superficial understanding, ironically lacking in intelligence, because spiritual intelligence is being attuned to God,” he explained.

“Spiritual intelligence allows us to move from a mere understanding of things to true wisdom. It is the only one that can unite and harmonize all the others and ensure that they are used wisely,” he added.

“All the phrases in the Lord’s Prayer emanate from the spiritual intelligence of Jesus Christ, as do his parables and other teachings, his miracles, and his final sacrifice.”

Jesus, the prelate noted, “embodied all forms of intelligence, except for artificial intelligence, which he did not need.”

“The risen Jesus opened the intellect of his disciples so they could ‘understand the Scriptures’; that is, he gave them the gift of spiritual understanding so that they could not only understand the Bible but also converse with God at all times,” he emphasized.

“This is not the opiate of the masses, as someone lacking spiritual understanding has said. It is life in abundance. This is what Lent is for!” he explained.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.