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No one, except the enemies of the Church, could conceivably be helped by Christian creeds and dogmas being emptied of their content.
Where everyone might benefit, however, is by attention being focused more directly on the content, rather than on its, necessarily inadequate, verbal expression. Thus the Church’s doctrinal propositions may never be disregarded; but they are intended, like every form of words, to be ‘seen through’—in the sense indicated by St. Thomas Aquinas . . . The only way to escape ‘illusion,’ even in matters of faith, is to get beyond the verbal propositions to the reality they signify.
- Dom Aelred Graham, Zen Catholicism
("Seeing through" doctrines (also images and the creation): God within and beyond all things.)
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Wis 2:23–3:9; Ps 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19
Lk 17:7-10
Jesus said to the Apostles:
"Who among you would say to your servant
who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field,
'Come here immediately and take your place at table'?
Would he not rather say to him,
'Prepare something for me to
eat.
Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink.
You may eat and drink when I am finished'?
Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded?
So should
it be with you.
When you have done all you have been commanded, say,
'We are unprofitable servants;
we have done what we were obliged to
do.'"
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Christianity and Spirituality monthly forum December 7 is scheduled, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. CST
Open Forum: questions and topics for discussion welcomed
Reflection on the Scriptures
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How can we love others selflessly and unconditionally? Scripture tells us that God himself is love (1 John 4:16) - he is the author of life and the source of all true relationships of love and friendship. He created us in love for love, and he fills our hearts with the boundless love that gives whatever is good for the sake of another (Romans 5:5). If we love one another, God
abides in us and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:12). God honors the faithful servant who loves and serves others generously. He is ever ready to work in and through us for his glory. We must remember, however, that God can never be indebted to us. We have no claim on him. His love compels us to give him our best! And when we have done our best, we have simply done our duty. We can never
outmatch God in doing good and showing love. God loves us without measure. Does the love of God compel you to give your best? Lord Jesus, fill my heart with love, gratitude and generosity. Make me a faithful and zealous servant for you. May I generously pour out my life in loving service for you and for others, just as you have so generously poured yourself out in love for
me.
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The Ascent of Mount Carmel, by St. John of the Cross E. Allison Peers Translation. Paperback, Kindle, Audio Book.
Click here to purchase on Amazon.com BOOK THE THIRD Which treats of the
purgation of the active night of the memory and will. Gives instruction how the soul is to behave with respect to the apprehensions of these two faculties, that it may come to union with God, according to the two faculties aforementioned, in perfect hope and charity.
Chapter 18 (skipped a few chapters on purgation of memory) Which treats of joy with respect to temporal blessings.
Describes how joy in them must be directed to God. 3. It follows, then, that a man must neither rejoice in riches when he has them, nor when his brother has them, unless they help them to serve God. For if ever it is allowable to rejoice in them, it will be when they are spent and employed in the service of God, for otherwise no profit will be derived from them. And the same is to be
understood of other blessings (titles, offices, etc.), in all of which it is vain to rejoice if a man feel not that God is the better served because of them and the way to eternal life is made more secure. And as it cannot be clearly known if this is so (if God is better served, etc.), it would be a vain thing to rejoice in these things deliberately, since such a joy cannot be reasonable. For, as the Lord says: If a man gain all the world, he may yet lose his soul.' There is naught, then,
wherein to rejoice save in the fact that God is better served.
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