|
Wisdom Words
But the central point of the spiritual life is the contemplative life. Why? Because it is for this that God made us. He made us for Himself, that we might know Him, love Him, and serve Him. Hence, if we sacrifice ourselves to achieve a betterment of our life and conduct, it is solely that we may render ourselves worthy to have communion with God. Thus, our interior life is the summit, the ideal, the goal toward which all our efforts ought to converge.
*Luis M. Martinez. Secrets of the Interior Life.
Comments
The life of a spiritual man or woman is comparable to marriage; in fact, Jesus uses the same language of Union in the marital state and contemplation in the Divine; for example:
21I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me.
22I have honored my followers in the same way that you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23I am one with them, and you are one with me, so that they may become completely one. Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me.
*John 17.21-23, CEV
The Union we have, then, with the Divine Persons is one Union in that the Union includes all other spiritual persons. This means contemplation is a Mystery including Union of both the Divine and persons who are living in Union with the Divine.
Jesus, further, makes clear that the Union is possible among humans and of humans with Spirit for the Oneness is grounded in and flows from a prior Union.
In addition, the John Gospel shows a motive for Jesus honoring His followers: "in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one" and "that they may become completely one."
Also, we see the evangelical end of contemplation: "Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me." The Union made of members of the Body of Christ witnesses to the Incarnation of the Word and, also, of the Love of the Father toward Christ and His disciples.
Yes, the central point of the spiritual life is contemplation understood as a growing life of Union with the Divine and with other persons. And as in John ~ the contemplative Gospel among the four ~ the Christform of contemplative embrace will include:
1) A Oneness with all other persons living in spiritual contemplation.
2) Union with the Divine-human is based on and flows from the Union already and eternally existing with the Divine Be-ing.
3) Christ honoring of His followers is to stir them onward to complete contemplation.
4) Spiritual union will always witness to the Incarnation of the Word and the love of the Father toward Christ and the spiritual Church.
* * *
*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, and their fish, Hope, in Southwest Florida. Brian is vowed at Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in South Georgia. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper, increasingly-fulfilling relationship with the Christ. He advocates for a spiritually-focused Christianity and the renewal of the focus on the Church toward prioritizing seeking to meet the deeper spiritual needs and longings of persons and empathic relating with diverse spiritual traditions.
For replies and biographical information, and submission to "The Light Shines" daily devotionals ~ a ministry of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL, see next page:
Continued... |
