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Today's Scripture ~ Philippians 3.8 (ESV)
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ...
Wisdom Story
Two monks, one aged and the other a young novice, walked together one morning. The novice, turning to the saintly, aged monk, asked, "Brother, tell me, do you still wrestle with the devil?" He replied, "Oh, no, my son. I'm much too old and too wise for that! You see, now, I wrestle with God." "With God?!" the novice exclaimed. "But brother, how do you hope to win?" Said the wise monk, "Oh, no, no, my friend. I hope to lose!"
Comments
The Grace of contemplation enables us to yield ourselves and our gains to God. These gains include religious or spiritual gains. This leads us to the joy of receiving through losing.
To enter into union with Grace, we surrender inwardly clingings that keep us from enjoying inward fellowship with Christ. This is asceticism of the heart. We give our heart to Christ, and we give our heart to all else as devotion to Christ.
We do not do this in rejection of what is good, either inside or outside us. We do this silently confessing, by relinquishing all claim to good, that all good, including our existence, is good for being God's gift, expressing God as Absolute Good.
In the Prayer of Silent Receptivity, we are saying something very important. This speech ~ silent, simple, and of-the-heart ~ says "Yes" to Christ. This "Yes" is disowning our life to enjoy God. This "Yes" is to share spiritual Life with others. Your being, overflowing with divine Life, witnesses to Christ.
Suggested Reflection
What is the difference between giving up outer, material things, and giving up complete claim of ownership of all things?
What is the difference between rejecting things and surrendering things?
In your own words define "asceticism of the heart"? How do you practice this asceticism?
Is the Holy Spirit leading you to lose something to gain more of Christ?
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.
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*Brian K. Wilcox lives with his wife, Rocio, and their two dogs, St. Francis and Bandit Ty, in Punta Gorda, Florida. He is a United Methodist pastor and vowed member of Greenbough House of Prayer, a contemplative Christian community in Georgia. 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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