In recent years there has been a renewal of interest in spiritual disciplines and practices which are seen to help with a person’s spiritual formation. These ascetical exercises are made up of disciplines of abstinence and disciplines of engagement, and are intended to form one’s work of cooperation with the Holy Spirit’s work of transformation.[1] …
Distinct Grunt Work: Eckhart’s Mystical Anthropology, Apophatic Spirituality, and the Holy Spirit
Introduction After qualifying his use of language in his German works, I will explore Eckhart’s vernacular theology, primarily, and articulate the character of Eckhart’s mystical anthropology and apophatic spirituality. The human soul, or more precisely a something in the soul, is presented as both indistinct and distinct from God. These relate to the Neoplatonic theme …
A Mystical Theology of the Holy Spirit in the Human Person
Theological reflection is important in spirituality because we all have underlying assumptions of which we are not fully conscious, and yet we nevertheless live out from these assumptions in a way which forms our spirituality. Thus theological reflection helps to bring these assumptions to conscious awareness, and they may be proven or adjusted to …
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Christian Kenosis
Introduction An accurate theology of Christian kenosis is perhaps the most important truth to understand in one’s journey toward an ever deepening union with God, and for loving service in the world. It is the most fundamental ground for Christian spirituality. Thus, this calling of a Christian is explored here. First, the underpinning theologies of …
Two Wills of Christ: The Christology of St. Maximus the Confessor in Opuscula 3 and 6
Introduction Maximus the Confessor made significant contributions to Dyothelite Christology amidst the animosity of imperial Monothelitism. He maintained his convictions in the loss of his freedom, his writing hand, his tongue, and eventually his life. Here, I explore two writings which refer to the prayer of Jesus at Gethsemane in which Maximus develops the understanding …
Praying More Deeply
“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.” – Thérèse of Lisieux Listening to God is an activity which goes on within our innermost self and this listening involves self-surrender. As such, …
Praying More Deeply
“Prayer is a conversation in which God’s word has the initiative and we, for the moment, can be nothing more than listeners. The essential thing is for us to hear God’s word and discover from it how to respond to him.” - Balthasar, Prayer As you to seek to know the love of God by …
Praying More Deeply
As Christians, the deeper spiritual life directly relates both to our ongoing transformation into the image and likeness of God and to our need for grace, capacity, and empowerment in our active service in love to others in the world. Really, it is about being drawn into Christ’s very own mission by our self-surrender to …
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina - A Way of Praying the Scriptures Lectio Divina is a way of praying the Scriptures which may be put it into practice in your private times with God. Perhaps you are familiar with it in a group setting, but it is a little different in one's private time than in a group …
