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I dedicate this writing to those persons who have exemplified for me a passion to spiritual Truth and a life willing at personal costs to seek and live It.
Wisdom Story
"Isn't there such a thing as social liberation?"
"Of course there is," said the Master.
"How would you describe it?"
"Liberation from the need to belong to the herd," said the Master.
*Anthony De Mello. Awakening: Conversations with the Master
Comments
St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) knew what it was like to have many persons not understand the spiritual intent of his words. In the On the Song of Songs, Bernard tells, "I speak foolishly. God often comes even to me."
This startling statement is indeed "foolish" to most persons. Possibly, that is why he prefaced the affirmation and his commentary on it with these words:
I will speak of my personal experience. It may not sound like much when you hear it, but I won't mind that. A spiritual person will not object, and one who is not spiritual simply won't understand a thing I say.
*Near to the Heart of God. Ed. B. Bangley.
St. Paul addresses the difference in discernment between unspiritual and spiritual persons:
13 When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom. Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths.14 But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. 15 Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.
*I Corinthians 2.13-15 (NLT)
A wonderful liberation many persons experience is liberation from the herd of religionists and moralists. This liberation does not come without personal cost, however. To devote oneself, for example, to a spiritual Christianity, one accepts the likelihood of being misunderstood and judged by many as heretical.
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However, possibly the greatest social liberation a Christian can engage in, both for the good of the true Church, herself, and the world, is this liberation that makes her spiritual testimony to her experience of God sound to most persons to be mere foolishness.
Indeed, if what you have to say about God does not baffle and confuse the masses who identify with religion, even if it is Christian religion, then, likely what you say is not an adequate witness to the sacred foolishness that sets the spiritual apart from the merely religious, moral, and dogmatic.
Go deeply, then, into God. Seek all the Word offers you. Do not fear the slander of those who shun the depths. Do not remain silent to guard against confusing those who cling to the flesh of words. Enjoy the feast of wine with few, rather than nibble on crumbs with many. Once we taste this joy of liberation, we never want to live in shadows with the herd again.
Suggested Reflection
Do you ever feel misunderstood when talking of your spiritual experience? How do you deal with such lack of understanding?
How do you discern when and when not to share your ideas or experience?
What have been personal costs to you for making spiritual formation a priority in your life?
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.
For submission of replies, see below:
*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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