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In this passing over,
if it is to be perfect,
all intellectual activities must be left behind
and the height of our affection
must be totally transferred and transformed
into God.
This, however, is mystical and most secret,
which "no one knows
except him who receives it,"
no one receives
except him who desires it,
and no one desires except him
who is enflamed in his very marrow by the fire of the Holy Spirit
whom Christ sent into the world.
And therefore the Apostle says that
this mystical wisdom is revealed
by the Holy Spirit.
*St. Bonaventure (d. 1274)
Entering into union with the Trinity and enjoying it means crucifixion of my identification with what I think--even think I am--and what I feel--even positive affections. Neither my mind nor my heart belongs anymore to me: they have died and are dying into a measure of Life I never dreamed possible. Possibly, God has withheld much human love from me that I might die to the lesser loves that control the habitual lives of most human persons. And, ironically and joyfully, the more I die, the more I live, the greater share of the Life of Christ, Grace Itself, that I enjoy and passes through me to bring blessings to other creatures--and I trust our friends the angels, too.
So, within me must die daily the attachment to two vital faculties, so that these very faculties can become, through a resurrection, sensitized more acutely, act more purely, and share more wholly with my brothers and sisters in this world: all persons. These faculties are intellect and affection. How easily I can be driven to allow my thoughts and feelings to control my actions or give me a self-identification other than our True Self in the Beautiful Life.
Therefore, the death and resurrection I share in and with Christ must be specific, not just a general death and resurrection or through His merit. The death and resurrection must be specifically related to who I am, my capabilities, and my human faculties. Each natural and good faculty within me must die to itself and arise transformed into the likeness of Christ, through the mysterious and ineffable operations of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God.
Colossians 3.1-3 (ESV)
1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
*OneLife writings are offered by Brian K. Wilcox, a United Methodist pastor serving in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church. He writes in the spirit of John Wesley's focus on the priority of inner experience of the Triune God; scriptural holiness; ongoing sanctification; the goal of Christian perfection (or, wholeness). Brian seeks to integrate the best of the contemplative teachings of Christianity East and West, from the patristic Church to the present. Brian lives a vowed contemplative life with his two dogs, Bandit Ty and St. Francis, in North Florida. OneLife writings are for anyone seeking to live and share love, joy, and peace in the world and in devotion to God as she or he best understands God.
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