Olivier Clement writes that we must seek the place of the heart. He believes that we live too much in our head and in our entrails, and have forgotten the riches hidden in the vast recesses of the heart.
But when we have not lived this way, deep within our own soul, it is not easy to remove our actions from "sense" and replace them with "inspiration". It requires learning a whole new way of thinking and sensing and viewing.
One view that is necessary for this journey is understanding the purpose for becoming spiritual. As Paul Claudel writes [Christ] did not come to give us a life that would serve only to enable us to die. He did not come on earth to prevent hunger and thirst...He came with his great leaven so that no stone might be incapable of becoming wheat or loaf.
Think of the story in scripture, where Satan used stones to tempt Jesus in the desert. Satan placed them before Jesus with an invitation that he change them into loaves of bread. Jesus refused, but why? Because these stones symbolize our hearts. Jesus refused because he did not come so that we might feed him. He came in order to feed us. Even though those stones were meant for transformation, it would not come at his command. It comes only through our own. He waits on us to initiate the transformation . He will feed us, but not by force.
When I allow Jesus to feed me, an amazing results occurs. I become like that which feeds me. I begin to live on a different plane, be more mindful of God, more open to grace, and better aware of my spiritual values. It's a wonderful assimilation, one powerful and life-changing.
To be a stone is to be a hard thing. But if stones can be called forth into bread, then no human heart is beyond the spiritual grasp of unitive prayer with God. I need only go into the recesses of my soul and seek the Divine within.
No comments:
Post a Comment