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Scripture
I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.
*Ephesians 3.19 (CEV)
Wisdom Words
[T]he contemplative dimension of everyday life, in other words, how to do the things we do each and every day with contemplative ease. The sun rising in the kitchen window, the walk to the post office, the church bell ringing on Sunday morning, the little niece's kiss on her uncle's cheek, the bright red tomato in the salad: They are all an opportunity to breathe deeply and "be filled with all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:19).
*Brian J. Pierce, Dominican, "Five Ways to Prayer Always"
Comments
At times persons refer to mysticism, or contemplation, as an esoteric dimension or experience hard to understand and for a chosen few. But is that a fair view?
Esoteric derives from the Greek esoteros. Consequently, esoteric implies experience or knowledge not lying around on the surface of things~not surface as experienced by most persons. So, we can rightly say: Mysticism, or contemplation, pertains not to the outerness but inwardness of reality.
And, we can affirm knowledge of inwardness can be profound and unaccessed by most persons. Paul refers to the knowing of the love of Christ as beyond understanding. Such an order of loving is outside the linear, rational way we know other things.
The inward, what we can call Inwardness, God, or contemplative dimension does, however, manifest through the outerness of phenomena. All realities are openings in the one God-fabric. Each aspect of Nature is an invitation to become aware of being face-to-face with the Living, Universal Word of Life.
St. Bonaventure (1221-1274), the most eminent Franciscan mystic theologian, writes of St. Francis, in which Bonaventure's idea contuition, or a penetrating gaze in which one sees God in things and things in relationship to God, appears.
Aroused by everything to divine love,
he rejoiced in all the works of the Lord's hand
and through their delightful display
he rose into their life-giving reason and cause.
In beautiful things he contuited Beauty itself
and through the footprints impressed in things
he followed his Beloved everywhere,
out of them all making for himself a ladder
through which he could climb to lay hold of him
who is utterly desirable.
To experience Divine Glory in Nature, however, demands disciplined practice to grow a sensitivity to the Divine. This does not happen quickly. We must give up any idea of a microwave spirituality. A Sunday go-to-church and brief daily devotion way will not sensitize to see and relish the awe-inspiring light of universal Wisdom and Beauty shining through the world about us.
The path to what Brian J. Pierce calls contemplative ease is best progressed toward by an integration of silent meditation and contemplation of the world. At first, we see the outward and inward as opposites. Over time, however, we discover God in each as part of one Whole.
Pierce refers to experiencing the fullness of God in contemplation of the world. The fullness of God is not just enjoyed in the quiet inwardness of silent prayer. The divine Overflowing seeps through the pores of everyday life, and if we are sensitized to the sacralization of all Creation, we will meet God in fullness outside and within ourselves, for we will meet the sacred core of Love, Truth, and Beauty that is the Interior quintessence of all things.
Suggested Reflection
In what ways do you experience the Presence of God in the world around you?
*"St. Anthony Messenger," www.americancatholic.org:80/Messenger/Jul1996/feature2.asp for quotes from Pierce.
*Quote of St. Bonaventure from Ilia Delio. Clare of Assisi. Adapted by deletion of bold type.
Brian is available to respond to requests pertaining to seeking a Spiritual Director, his speaking, doing classes, workshops, or retreats for churches or other spiritual groups. He will inform regarding how to receive his other writings or offer replies to comments or questions.
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*Brian K. Wilcox is Pastor of Christ Community United Methodist Church, Punta Gorda, FL. He is a vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community. His passion is living a contemplative life and inspiring others to experience a deeper relationship with Christ through contemplative prayer and living.
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