Categories: spiritual-writings
Date: 14 September 2008 05:34:23
As I mentioned in this post, in response to my flair-up at work, and my belief I do let my anger get the better of me at times, I am reading various chapters of two books each night, or at least attempting to: my Patron Saint's The Ladder of Divine Ascent and St Ignatius Brianchaninov's The Arena: An Offering to Contemporary Monasticism.
I know these books may be looked askance at by some, and feel as if they are too heavy or too severe, particularly as they were both written for monks. Perhaps it is my temperament, perhaps it is my need, but I do not find them so at all: they speak to me where I need to hear words of correction and encouragement, at times I feel they must have been written for me, and for this I give thanks to God. I will provide a few quotes from them in this post and coming posts: I only mention the above as I do not want anyone to read the severe and hard teachings and think I am being over-hard on my self; I am thankful for them.
The chapters of The Arena I have been reading are Chapter 15: Love for our Neighbour is a Means of Attaining to Love for God and Chapter 16: Humility in our Dealings with our Neighbour is a Means of Attaining to Love for our Neighbour; as can be seen, St Ignatius gives rather detailed chapter headings! Two highlights for me from Chapter 15 were a rebuke to change my ways and thoughts and an encouragement to persevere, are below.
[After quoting Matthew 22:37-40] Although the commandment of love for God is as far superior to the commandment of love for God's image [man] as God is superior to His image, yet the commandment of love for our neighbour serves as a foundation for the commandment of love for God. He who has not laid the foundation labours in vain to construct a building; it cannot possibly stand without the foundation.Chapter 15, p. 59
The emphasis on love for one's neighbour, and the fact it is a pre-requisite, a foundation, for love of God, I found very challenging. And it is true, for as St John writes in his first epistle, "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen." [1 John 4:20, ESV]. However, my focus is often upside down:"I focus on love for God [which is necessary of course], in the expectation the love for my neighbours will come from it; St John and St Ignatius remind me to lay the foundation with those I can see, my friends, family and those around me. St Ignatius goes on to quote similar sentiments from a number of Fathers, including St Anthony the Great.
If, however, you are wounded by a dart of the enemy, do not despond, knowing that we have an inherent proneness to be infected by every kind of passion and that even great saints suffered in this way. Make every effort and put all of your energy into the healing of yourself.
Chapter 15, p. 61
While the context for this was impure passions [what I read as lust], it is equally applicable as we are, due to the Fall, "infected by every kind of passion." And yet, as seen, there is mercy and forgiveness, and encouragement to persevere.