Discovering the Hidden Reality: A Journey into Mystical
Prayer, by George A. Maloney, S.J Society of St. Paul, 2004.
Maloney begins by defining mysticism as being a synonym with being in touch with the ‘really Real”, the unfathomable abyss where God speaks with the heart in silence. Mysticism is a living experience of God, not as an object outside ourselves, but as an encompassing power of permeating love that as St. Augustine said is “more intimate to me than I am to myself.”
The author notes with joy that today there is a great surge of interest in mysticism and a deeper life of prayer, especially among the young and “the young of heart.”
“I have written this book because I believe there is a need for a book of insights that present prayer as a stare of continued growing into deeper union with
the indwelling Holy Trinity, rather than placing the total focus upon our doing.”
Boldly, Maloney uses the word mysticism not meaning he is a mystic but rather that he believes God created all humanity to be mystics. His book is deeply rooted in Scripture and Tradition and the author hopes his readers will come to a deeper form of prayer and eventually be able “to pray
always.
(Thanks to Sr. Irene Hartman, OP for this review.)
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Saint of the Week
St. Ephrem: (309 - 373). June 9.
Born in Nisibis, Mesopotamia, he was baptized as a young man and became famous as a teacher in his native city. When the Christian emperor had to cede Nisibis to the Persians, Ephrem fled as a refugee to Edessa, along with many other Christians. He is credited with attracting great glory to the biblical school there. He was ordained a deacon but declined becoming a priest. Ephrem was said to have avoided presbyteral consecration by feigning
madness!
He had a prolific pen, and his writings best illumine his holiness. Although he was not a man of great scholarship, his works reflect deep insight and knowledge of the Scriptures. In writing about the mysteries of humanity’s redemption, Ephrem reveals a
realistic and humanly sympathetic spirit and a great devotion to the humanity of Jesus. It is said that his poetic account of the Last Judgment inspired Dante.
It is surprising to read that he wrote hymns against the heretics of his day. He would take the popular songs
of the heretical groups and using their melodies, compose beautiful hymns embodying orthodox doctrine. Ephrem became one of the first to introduce song into the Church’s public worship as a means of instruction for the faithful. His many hymns have earned him the title “Harp of the Holy Spirit.”
Ephrem preferred a simple, austere life, living in a small cave overlooking the city of Edessa. It was here that he died around 373.
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An agreement between two parties. The agreement, according to Ancient Near East custom, consists of
five parts: 1) Identification of parties, 2) Historical prologue where the deeds establishing the worthiness of the dominant party is established, 3) Conditions of the agreement, 4) Rewards and punishments in regard to keeping the conditions, and 5) Disposition of the documents where each party receives a copy of the agreement (e.g. the two tablets of stone of the 10 Commandments).
Ultimately, the covenants God has made with humanity result in our benefit. We receive eternal blessings from the covenant of grace. (For further study see Gen. 2:16-17; 9:1-17; 15:18; Gen. 26:3-5; Gal. 3:16-18; Luke 1:68-79; Heb. 13:20).
A woman walked up to a little old man rocking in a chair on his porch. "I couldn't help noticing how happy you look," she said. "What's your secret for a long
happy life?" "I smoke three packs of cigarettes a day," he said. "I also drink a case of whiskey a week, eat fatty foods, and never exercise." "That's amazing," the woman said. "How old are you?' "Twenty-six," he said.
