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Devotional Comments
God gives Himself to those who give themselves to Him. The way does not matter much, as long as it is the way He has chosen for us. I find that I can get just as close to God in studying the dry problems of moral theology as by reading the more burning pages of the mystics. For it is God's will that I, as a priest, should know my moral theology. Duty does not have to be dull. Love can make it beautiful and fill it with life. As long as we show lines of division between duty and pleasure in the world of spirit, we will remain far from God and from His joy. (Thomas Merton, 1950, A Year with Thomas Merton, Ed. Jonathan Montaldo)
One danger in the spiritual life is the evasion of the Will of God by seeking something we call special to do, something we call spiritual, in contrast to what we think is not special, not spiritual. Underlying this, of course, is a misperception of the relationship between duty and spirituality. Likewise, underlying it is likely a measure of pride.
A monk was in chapel. Alone and in Silence, he had a vision of the Living Christ. Bathed in the beauty and majesty of the Living Christ, he felt a tap on his shoulder. A brother monk spoke, "Brother, it is time for you to feed the poor." The monk having the vision had longed for this vision for many years. He, however, reluctantly got up and went to the kitchen, got the leftover food from lunch, and went to the back of the dining hall and gave it to the poor who came daily for food. Afterward, he returned to the quiet of the chapel. He was surprised that the Living Christ appeared to him again. The monk spoke, "Christ, I apologize that I had to leave you, but it was my time to feed the poor." The Christ replied, "My friend, if you had not left to do your duty, I would have left."
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This morning I had an enjoyable time of spiritual reading and, then, went into meditation. Near the end of the meditation, I went into a state where one feels she can remain forever in unspeakable bliss and perfect contentment. However, this occurred near the end of the meditation, for I had to get up, get ready, and go pick peanuts with the members of one of the churches I serve as pastor. While I would have enjoyed remaining in the bliss of felt union with the Divine, I had a duty to attend to. I got up. Got ready. And went to the church grounds. I enjoyed the time very much. I am so glad I went. For, God had given Himself to me in meditation, and Spirit gave Herself equally to me among the people picking and boiling peanuts.
This is one sign of maturing in the contemplative life--one senses herself losing personal preference for ways to experience God. Contemplation does demand more time in Silence than other spiritual paths, but that, ironically, leads to experiencing more palpably the Spirit giving Herself to us in the common duties that adorn our lives with simple majesty and profound dignity.
Reflection
What duties do you discern God has given you to do to fulfill His purpose for your life?
When was the last time you sensed the Presence of God strongly in a commonplace duty?
If you were the monk in the vision above, how would you have likely responded to being told it was time for you to leave to feed the poor? Explain your answer.
Is there a duty in your life that you need to pray about that you might be given grace to do it in loving obedience? Explain your answer.
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