Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief 6. Love, Actually (I look for the resurrection...

Tokens of Trust:Tokens of Trust:An Introduction to Christian An Introduction to Christian

BeliefBelief

6. Love, Actually6. Love, Actually(I look for the resurrection of the dead)(I look for the resurrection of the dead)

Sunday, March 1, 200910 to 10:50 am, in the Parlor

Presenter: David Monyak

Primary Primary ReferenceReference

Tokens of Trust: Tokens of Trust: An Introduction An Introduction to Christian to Christian BeliefBelief,, Rowan Rowan Williams, Williams, Westminister John Westminister John Knox Press, Knox Press, Louisville, Louisville, London, 2007London, 2007

The Most Revd. Rowan Williams is the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury. He was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on 27th February 2003

Born 1950 Born 1950 Studied theology at CambridgeStudied theology at Cambridge DPhil at Oxford 1975DPhil at Oxford 1975 Priest 1978Priest 1978 1977 to 1992: taught theology at 1977 to 1992: taught theology at

Cambridge and OxfordCambridge and Oxford 1986: Lady Margaret 1986: Lady Margaret

Professorship of Divinity at the Professorship of Divinity at the University of OxfordUniversity of Oxford

1991: Bishop of Monmouth in 1991: Bishop of Monmouth in Anglican Church of WalesAnglican Church of Wales

1999: Archbishop of Wales1999: Archbishop of Wales Dec 2002: confirmed as the 104th Dec 2002: confirmed as the 104th

bishop of the See of Canterburybishop of the See of Canterbury Considered by many the best Considered by many the best

Protestant theologian in the world Protestant theologian in the world todaytoday

Also a noted poet and translator Also a noted poet and translator of Welsh poetryof Welsh poetry

Tokens of TrustTokens of TrustAn Introduction to Christian BeliefAn Introduction to Christian Belief

Jan 25.Jan 25. Who Can We Trust? Who Can We Trust? (I believe in God the Father (I believe in God the Father almighty) almighty)

Feb 1:Feb 1: The Risk of Love The Risk of Love (maker of heaven and earth)(maker of heaven and earth) Feb 8:Feb 8: A Man for All Seasons A Man for All Seasons (and in Jesus Christ his only (and in Jesus Christ his only

Son our Lord) Son our Lord) Feb 15:Feb 15: The Peace Dividend The Peace Dividend (He suffered and was buried, (He suffered and was buried,

and the third day he rose again)and the third day he rose again) Feb 22:Feb 22: God in Company God in Company (And I believe in one catholic and (And I believe in one catholic and

apostolic Church) apostolic Church) Mar 1:Mar 1: Love, Actually Love, Actually (I look for the (I look for the

resurrection of the dead) resurrection of the dead)

O God our King, by the resurrection of O God our King, by the resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of your Son Jesus Christ on the first day of the week, you conquered sin, put death to the week, you conquered sin, put death to flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting flight, and gave us the hope of everlasting life: Redeem all our days by this victory; life: Redeem all our days by this victory; forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us forgive our sins, banish our fears, make us bold to praise you and to do your will; and bold to praise you and to do your will; and steel us to wait for the consummation of steel us to wait for the consummation of your kingdom on the last great Day; your kingdom on the last great Day; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.

On Sunday, On Sunday, Book of Common PrayerBook of Common Prayer, p. 835, p. 835

This Week:This Week:6. Love, Actually6. Love, Actually

(I look for the resurrection of the (I look for the resurrection of the dead)dead)

Citizens of HeavenCitizens of Heaven

Citizens of HeavenCitizens of HeavenThe Church is Where Jesus is VisibleThe Church is Where Jesus is Visible

Our citizenship is in heaven.Our citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20 NIV)(Philippians 3:20 NIV)

The Church is where Jesus is visibly active in The Church is where Jesus is visibly active in the world:the world: It shows the face of Jesus to the world;It shows the face of Jesus to the world; Its own internal life embodies the life of Jesus.Its own internal life embodies the life of Jesus.

Citizens of HeavenCitizens of HeavenThe Church is Where the Trinity is VisibleThe Church is Where the Trinity is Visible

The Church is where the action of the Holy Trinity is The Church is where the action of the Holy Trinity is visible – for:visible – for: as God’s adopted children:as God’s adopted children:

baptized, “immersed” in Jesus' life; having disappeared under the baptized, “immersed” in Jesus' life; having disappeared under the surface of Christ’s love and reappeared as different person;surface of Christ’s love and reappeared as different person;

invited to eat with Jesus, and pray to the Father with him, boldly invited to eat with Jesus, and pray to the Father with him, boldly addressing the Father as “Our Father,” as “Abba,”addressing the Father as “Our Father,” as “Abba,”

We stand amidst the three-fold rhythm of love: Father, Son, We stand amidst the three-fold rhythm of love: Father, Son, Spirit, within God’s life:Spirit, within God’s life:

love outpouring, returning, sharing;love outpouring, returning, sharing; a gifting, responding, renewed overflowing of givinga gifting, responding, renewed overflowing of giving

Citizens of HeavenCitizens of HeavenThe Church is Where the Trinity is VisibleThe Church is Where the Trinity is Visible This three-fold rhythm of love: Father, Son, Spirit, This three-fold rhythm of love: Father, Son, Spirit,

within God’s life:within God’s life: love outpouring, returning, sharing;love outpouring, returning, sharing; a gifting, responding, renewed overflowing of giving,a gifting, responding, renewed overflowing of giving,

Are:Are: the “waves” that surge around us as we try to live as Jesus’ the “waves” that surge around us as we try to live as Jesus’

disciples,disciples, the rhythm that sustains the universe.the rhythm that sustains the universe.

We should think of life in the church as:We should think of life in the church as: less like signing up to a society, and less like signing up to a society, and more as swimming in an overwhelming current of divine more as swimming in an overwhelming current of divine

loving activity.loving activity.

Citizens of HeavenCitizens of HeavenRelationships Among the People of GodRelationships Among the People of God

The gift we have been given as God’s adopted The gift we have been given as God’s adopted children, in which:children, in which: we have been taken up into the heart of Jesus' we have been taken up into the heart of Jesus'

prayerful relation to the Father,prayerful relation to the Father, we stand within the three-fold rhythm of love: we stand within the three-fold rhythm of love:

Father, Son, Spirit, within God’s life,Father, Son, Spirit, within God’s life,

should inform and transform how we work out should inform and transform how we work out our relationships within the Church and with our relationships within the Church and with the rest of creation.the rest of creation.

Citizens of HeavenCitizens of HeavenA Vision of HeavenA Vision of Heaven

To put it boldly, To put it boldly, when the Church is truly the Church =when the Church is truly the Church = when its life points to:when its life points to:

that threefold rhythm of love, Father, Son, Spirit =that threefold rhythm of love, Father, Son, Spirit = that interwoven knot of action and love within which Jesus stands =that interwoven knot of action and love within which Jesus stands = the threefold life that is Godthe threefold life that is God

Then what we see is a glimpse of heaven.Then what we see is a glimpse of heaven. The Church’s “roots” are in heaven; its real identity The Church’s “roots” are in heaven; its real identity

and dwelling-place is in heaven.and dwelling-place is in heaven. Hence, St. Paul tells us Christians have their ‘citizenship’ in Hence, St. Paul tells us Christians have their ‘citizenship’ in

heaven (Philippians 3.20).heaven (Philippians 3.20).

Citizens of HeavenCitizens of HeavenA Vision of HeavenA Vision of Heaven

Heaven is what is laid open:Heaven is what is laid open: when the Church is truly the Church =when the Church is truly the Church = when the Church is most clearly committed to the when the Church is most clearly committed to the

work of transforming creationwork of transforming creation

The Resurrection of The Resurrection of the Bodythe Body

Resurrection of the BodyResurrection of the BodyFrom Church to ResurrectionFrom Church to Resurrection

That the Church, when it is truly Church, lays That the Church, when it is truly Church, lays open a vision of heaven, may be why in the open a vision of heaven, may be why in the Creeds we move from:Creeds we move from: Expressing our belief in the church, toExpressing our belief in the church, to Expressing our belief in the resurrection of the Expressing our belief in the resurrection of the

body and life everlastingbody and life everlasting

Resurrection of the BodyResurrection of the BodyResurrection of the FleshResurrection of the Flesh

I believe in … the holy catholic Church, the I believe in … the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of communion of saints, the forgiveness of

sins, the resurrection of the body, and the sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlastinglife everlasting (Apostles Creed) (Apostles Creed)

““Resurrection of the Body” in the Apostles Creed: Resurrection of the Body” in the Apostles Creed: literally “Resurrection of the literally “Resurrection of the Flesh!Flesh!””

Do we actually want this lump of bone and fat and Do we actually want this lump of bone and fat and hair that we know so well to have an eternal future? hair that we know so well to have an eternal future?

Isn't such language rather creepy? Isn't such language rather creepy?

Resurrection of the BodyResurrection of the BodyAn Envelope for Our Identity?An Envelope for Our Identity?

It ironic that in our fantastically materialistic It ironic that in our fantastically materialistic society, there is actually little respect for the society, there is actually little respect for the body.body.

We prefer to imagine our body as a mere We prefer to imagine our body as a mere envelope for our “true” identity based in our envelope for our “true” identity based in our mind and will.mind and will.

Resurrection of the BodyResurrection of the BodyOur Material LifeOur Material Life

However:However: We encounter God in this world as beings with We encounter God in this world as beings with

material bodies,material bodies, God revealed God’s self to us by taking on the God revealed God’s self to us by taking on the

form of a material body, as Jesus,form of a material body, as Jesus, God continues to use material things and persons God continues to use material things and persons

to communicate who and what he is,to communicate who and what he is, Why then should we think life with God will Why then should we think life with God will

ever simply sidestep our material life?ever simply sidestep our material life?


The BibleThe Bible says little about life with God in heaven,says little about life with God in heaven,

But rather talks about:But rather talks about: a renewal of creation,a renewal of creation, a new heaven and a earth (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation a new heaven and a earth (2 Peter 3:13, Revelation

21:1)21:1) Life with God, it seems, is life in a Life with God, it seems, is life in a world world that that

has something in common with the world we has something in common with the world we now inhabit. now inhabit.


How then might we do justice to what the How then might we do justice to what the Bible and tradition seem to be telling us, that Bible and tradition seem to be telling us, that we look forward to:we look forward to: The resurrection of the “flesh”,The resurrection of the “flesh”, Life with God in a “new heaven and new earth”, a Life with God in a “new heaven and new earth”, a

Holy “City,” a “New Jerusalem”?Holy “City,” a “New Jerusalem”? Without falling intoWithout falling into

embarrassing clichés,embarrassing clichés, creepy language?creepy language?

Immortal DiamondImmortal Diamond

Immortal DiamondImmortal DiamondBeings Living in Context & CommunityBeings Living in Context & Community

First principles:First principles: We are who we are because we have lived and We are who we are because we have lived and

grown within:grown within: A human context (family, friends, community)A human context (family, friends, community) A non-human context (physical world)A non-human context (physical world)

Our holiness is bound with other people and the Our holiness is bound with other people and the things of this world:things of this world:

Our relation with God is made visible (or not) in how Our relation with God is made visible (or not) in how we conduct our relationships with other people and the we conduct our relationships with other people and the things of this world.things of this world.


Therefore, if we believe that life with God Therefore, if we believe that life with God does not evaporate after our physical death, does not evaporate after our physical death, then it must then it must somehowsomehow still be life: still be life: in community and context,in community and context, life in a world where all our relationships with life in a world where all our relationships with

things and persons are fully anchored in the things and persons are fully anchored in the Trinitarian love of God and fully transparent to Trinitarian love of God and fully transparent to that love.that love.

What What exactlyexactly does that mean? does that mean? Literally – God knows.Literally – God knows.


But it does mean that:But it does mean that: God does God does notnot redeem us by making us stop being redeem us by making us stop being

what we arewhat we are — beings who live in community and — beings who live in community and context;context;

If God holds on to us through death, he holds on to If God holds on to us through death, he holds on to everyevery aspect of us — not just to a specially aspect of us — not just to a specially protected, “immortal” bit of us.protected, “immortal” bit of us.

Whatever life with God is after our physical death, Whatever life with God is after our physical death, it is it is notnot something more abstract or more isolated something more abstract or more isolated than what we now know.than what we now know.

Immortal DiamondImmortal DiamondBodily ResurrectionBodily Resurrection

In his poem “Nature’s Bonfire,” Gerald In his poem “Nature’s Bonfire,” Gerald Manley Hopkins ends with a description of Manley Hopkins ends with a description of bodily resurrection:bodily resurrection:

In a flash, at a trumpet crash,In a flash, at a trumpet crash,I am all at once what Christ is, since he I am all at once what Christ is, since he

was what I am, andwas what I am, andThis Jack, joke, poor potsherd, patch, This Jack, joke, poor potsherd, patch,

matchwood, immortal diamond,matchwood, immortal diamond, Is immortal diamond. Is immortal diamond.

Immortal DiamondImmortal DiamondBodily ResurrectionBodily Resurrection

In our present life, the “immortal diamond” in In our present life, the “immortal diamond” in us is inseparably bound up with the not very us is inseparably bound up with the not very impressive stuff of human nature (Jack, joke, impressive stuff of human nature (Jack, joke, poor potsherd, patch, matchwood)poor potsherd, patch, matchwood)

At the resurrection, it At the resurrection, it allall becomes “immortal becomes “immortal diamond”diamond”

It is not just the present “immortal diamond” It is not just the present “immortal diamond” part of us that survives. We look forward to a part of us that survives. We look forward to a relationship with God after physical death in relationship with God after physical death in the the wholenesswholeness of our human nature. of our human nature.

Immortal DiamondImmortal DiamondNot the Immortality of the “Soul”Not the Immortality of the “Soul”

Christians do not really believe in the Christians do not really believe in the “immortality of the soul”“immortality of the soul”

Deathless existence is not reserved for just a Deathless existence is not reserved for just a part of us, a hazy spiritual bit, the solid lumpy part of us, a hazy spiritual bit, the solid lumpy bit falling away.bit falling away.

We have a future with God as whole persons, We have a future with God as whole persons, no lessno less. .

On the further side of death (which On the further side of death (which by by definitiondefinition we can’t imagine) we can’t imagine) nothingnothing is lost. is lost.

Immortal DiamondImmortal DiamondKey To Our HopeKey To Our Hope

The key to our belief in a life after death, in The key to our belief in a life after death, in the resurrection, in a new heaven and a new the resurrection, in a new heaven and a new earth, is our belief in a earth, is our belief in a trustworthytrustworthy God. God. God will not let us go even on the far side of death. God will not let us go even on the far side of death. What God has made his own through the loving What God has made his own through the loving

action of Jesus, he will not abandon.action of Jesus, he will not abandon.

The Coming Judgment The Coming Judgment of Christof Christ

Christ’s JudgmentChrist’s JudgmentThe Coming Judgment of Our LivesThe Coming Judgment of Our Lives

The coming judgment of our lives by Jesus is The coming judgment of our lives by Jesus is something we must be aware of day by day.something we must be aware of day by day.

Death means something is removed that now stands Death means something is removed that now stands between us and God.between us and God.

There is a frightening There is a frightening levelingleveling of all we thought we of all we thought we had built or achieved (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 had built or achieved (1 Corinthians 3:11-15; 2 Corinthians 5:1-5).Corinthians 5:1-5).

We will put on a new “covering” that is Christ’s life We will put on a new “covering” that is Christ’s life (1 Corinthians 15:53-54, 2 Corinthians 5:1-15), but (1 Corinthians 15:53-54, 2 Corinthians 5:1-15), but first we must take something off.first we must take something off.

Christ’s JudgmentChrist’s JudgmentNaked Before TruthNaked Before Truth

In some unimaginable dimension,In some unimaginable dimension, Where all our usual strategies of hiding from Where all our usual strategies of hiding from

ourselves are not available,ourselves are not available, Where the veneers we have constructed to hide our Where the veneers we have constructed to hide our

true selves from the world have dissolved,true selves from the world have dissolved, We will stand before GodWe will stand before God

spiritually “stripped” and naked;spiritually “stripped” and naked; and the truth about what is deepest in us, what we and the truth about what is deepest in us, what we

most want, what we most care about, will be laid most want, what we most care about, will be laid bare before God and our own consciousness.bare before God and our own consciousness.

Christ’s JudgmentChrist’s JudgmentProper Fear Before God’s JudgmentProper Fear Before God’s Judgment

To be confronted by God, the stark truth about To be confronted by God, the stark truth about ourselves fully revealed, should rightly makes us ourselves fully revealed, should rightly makes us apprehensive.apprehensive.

We may be properly disgusted by the extravagant and We may be properly disgusted by the extravagant and hysterical expressions of this moment that have hysterical expressions of this moment that have characterized some ages of Christian history, but we characterized some ages of Christian history, but we would be wrong to brush away a sense of proper fear would be wrong to brush away a sense of proper fear before God's judgment.before God's judgment. We need a proper We need a proper adultadult awareness of the fact that awareness of the fact that

nakedness before God will hurt, because truth does hurt. nakedness before God will hurt, because truth does hurt. To the degree to which we don't know ourselves — a To the degree to which we don't know ourselves — a

pretty high degree for nearly all of us — we must pretty high degree for nearly all of us — we must think soberly of “the fire” of this moment of truth.think soberly of “the fire” of this moment of truth.

Christ’s JudgmentChrist’s JudgmentProper Fear Before God’s JudgmentProper Fear Before God’s Judgment

Our hope is that if we have been accustomed to living Our hope is that if we have been accustomed to living with Christ in this life, something has been with Christ in this life, something has been “constructed” that allows us to survive the terror of “constructed” that allows us to survive the terror of meeting the truth face to face:meeting the truth face to face: The truth, to some degree, will already be “in us” (1 John The truth, to some degree, will already be “in us” (1 John

2:4)2:4) We trust that we are gifted with the clothing of Christ, the We trust that we are gifted with the clothing of Christ, the

“defense” we need.“defense” we need. In the Eastern Orthodox Liturgy, we pray for “a good In the Eastern Orthodox Liturgy, we pray for “a good

answer before the terrible judgment seat of Christ”.answer before the terrible judgment seat of Christ”.

Purgatory andPurgatory andHellHell

Purgatory and HellPurgatory and Hell“Purgatory”“Purgatory”

In our encounter with God at Judgment, so long as we In our encounter with God at Judgment, so long as we are the complex and self-deceiving beings we are, are the complex and self-deceiving beings we are, there will be a dimension of pain.there will be a dimension of pain. Can there be any fallen human being who can face the Can there be any fallen human being who can face the

prospect of confronting God's purity and light without prospect of confronting God's purity and light without shrinking?shrinking?

This is perhaps the original impetus behind the This is perhaps the original impetus behind the Catholic teaching about “Purgatory”Catholic teaching about “Purgatory” The medieval teaching of it: a state where you worked off The medieval teaching of it: a state where you worked off

your debts until you become more or less worthy to go to your debts until you become more or less worthy to go to heaven, deserved the criticism heaped on it by the heaven, deserved the criticism heaped on it by the Protestant reformers. Protestant reformers.


It is not unreasonable however to imagine a It is not unreasonable however to imagine a process we go through at Judgment that is:process we go through at Judgment that is: a continuing journey with God as we become a continuing journey with God as we become

acclimatized to the fullness of love;acclimatized to the fullness of love; (new metaphor): something like our lungs (new metaphor): something like our lungs

expanding to cope with a new atmosphere.expanding to cope with a new atmosphere.


In his poem Love, George Herbert (priest and poet , d. 1633, In his poem Love, George Herbert (priest and poet , d. 1633, whose feast day we celebrated Feb 27) describes the small whose feast day we celebrated Feb 27) describes the small drama of this processdrama of this process

““LoveLove [God] [God] bade me welcome; yet my soul drew bade me welcome; yet my soul drew backback.”.”

Finally the immensity of God’s welcome wins out:Finally the immensity of God’s welcome wins out: let my shamelet my shame

Go where it doth deserve. Go where it doth deserve. And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame? And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame? My dear, then I will serve. My dear, then I will serve. You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat: You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat: So I did sit and eat. So I did sit and eat.

In the end we will sit down with God at his table. In the end we will sit down with God at his table.

Purgatory and HellPurgatory and Hell“Hell”“Hell”

The idea of “hell” is also something we cannot The idea of “hell” is also something we cannot simply ignore or write off.simply ignore or write off.

As adults, we know we all have a habitual As adults, we know we all have a habitual unwillingness to face truth.unwillingness to face truth.

What if we make choices in our lives that:What if we make choices in our lives that: make us more and more desensitized to truth?make us more and more desensitized to truth? make us incapable to opening our clenched fists in make us incapable to opening our clenched fists in

the presence of love?the presence of love? make us incapable of telling truth from lies?make us incapable of telling truth from lies?


Can we reach a state of self-deceit so profound Can we reach a state of self-deceit so profound that we become eternally impervious to love?that we become eternally impervious to love?

We cannot say for sure if anyone ever falls We cannot say for sure if anyone ever falls into such a state,into such a state, but we must know the proper fear that the choices but we must know the proper fear that the choices

we make are capable of destroying us.we make are capable of destroying us.


Hell is our decision, not God’s (no one is Hell is our decision, not God’s (no one is predestined to hell).predestined to hell).

The most truthful image we can have of hell is The most truthful image we can have of hell is of God eternally knocking on a closed door of God eternally knocking on a closed door that we are struggling to hold shut. that we are struggling to hold shut.

Repentance and Repentance and ForgivenessForgiveness

Repentance and ForgivenessRepentance and ForgivenessThe Repentant CommunityThe Repentant Community

The most truthful image we can have of hell is The most truthful image we can have of hell is of God eternally knocking on a closed door of God eternally knocking on a closed door that we are struggling to hold shut.that we are struggling to hold shut.

Therefore: we must be aware of all those Therefore: we must be aware of all those things that might bring us to such a state of things that might bring us to such a state of terror and deception — and bring them today terror and deception — and bring them today before God's judgment and mercy.before God's judgment and mercy.

Therefore: a Christian community doing its job Therefore: a Christian community doing its job is a community where people would be is a community where people would be repenting quite a lot.repenting quite a lot.

Repentance and ForgivenessRepentance and ForgivenessHopeHope

The miracle is: the repentant community is a The miracle is: the repentant community is a community that can speak profoundly of hope.community that can speak profoundly of hope.

We don't have to be paralyzed by our failures. We don't have to be paralyzed by our failures.

Repentance and ForgivenessRepentance and ForgivenessForgivenessForgiveness

We live in a culture that is “easy going” about We live in a culture that is “easy going” about all sorts of behavior and manners, but all sorts of behavior and manners, but strangely, deeply unforgiving of human strangely, deeply unforgiving of human failure.failure.

Look at the:Look at the: media’s treatment of the failings of politicians and media’s treatment of the failings of politicians and

celebrities,celebrities, harsh attitudes to prisoners and ex-prisoners,harsh attitudes to prisoners and ex-prisoners, demand for legal redress for any human error or demand for legal redress for any human error or

oversight.oversight.


The church is being very counter-cultural when we The church is being very counter-cultural when we proclaim a belief in the “forgiveness of sins.”proclaim a belief in the “forgiveness of sins.”

Forgiveness is not:Forgiveness is not: A form of sentimentality,A form of sentimentality, An easy compassion that costs nothing,An easy compassion that costs nothing, A leniency or a making light of an outrage.A leniency or a making light of an outrage.

Only the victim can forgive the person who injured Only the victim can forgive the person who injured them.them. A person may be forgiven by their victim, yet it will still be A person may be forgiven by their victim, yet it will still be

right for them to serve out a sentence, or in some way have right for them to serve out a sentence, or in some way have to deal with the consequences of their action.to deal with the consequences of their action.


Forgiveness is the restoration of a relationship:Forgiveness is the restoration of a relationship: with the victim of an offense,with the victim of an offense, with God, who loves both victim and the offender.with God, who loves both victim and the offender.

To believe in the forgiveness of sins is to To believe in the forgiveness of sins is to claim that:claim that: even the worst of our failures cannot shut a door even the worst of our failures cannot shut a door

for God;for God; there is no situation in which God’s presence there is no situation in which God’s presence

cannot make a difference.cannot make a difference.

The Truth of God’s The Truth of God’s Splendor and LoveSplendor and Love

Splendor and LoveSplendor and LoveAcclimatizing to God’s LoveAcclimatizing to God’s Love

Our job in the Christian Community is not Our job in the Christian Community is not merely to get acclimatized to the austerity of merely to get acclimatized to the austerity of the truth of ourselves through repentance and the truth of ourselves through repentance and forgiveness, but also:forgiveness, but also:

to get acclimatized to the truth of God’s to get acclimatized to the truth of God’s splendor and love.splendor and love. Indeed, getting acclimatized to the truth of God’s Indeed, getting acclimatized to the truth of God’s

splendor and love gives us the strength for splendor and love gives us the strength for repentance and forgivenessrepentance and forgiveness

Splendor and LoveSplendor and LoveAcclimatizing to God’s LoveAcclimatizing to God’s Love

Eternity above all is a joy in the sheer reality Eternity above all is a joy in the sheer reality of God, involving:of God, involving: a relationship with God which is centered in the a relationship with God which is centered in the

heart of the continual exchange of life and joy heart of the continual exchange of life and joy within the Trinity.within the Trinity.

To “acclimatize” ourselves to God’s love To “acclimatize” ourselves to God’s love requires adoration, prayer, and contemplation.requires adoration, prayer, and contemplation.

Splendor and LoveSplendor and LoveThe Path of ContemplationThe Path of Contemplation

Prayer and contemplation is about getting ourselves Prayer and contemplation is about getting ourselves in a position where God can in a position where God can see ussee us; that is:; that is: Taking off our defenses and disguises,Taking off our defenses and disguises, Removing our masks of self-promotion and self-protection,Removing our masks of self-promotion and self-protection, Letting go most of what makes us feel safe or good,Letting go most of what makes us feel safe or good, Moving into the silence and stillness of light of God’s Moving into the silence and stillness of light of God’s

presence, the naked me.presence, the naked me. This is why the path of contemplation is described as This is why the path of contemplation is described as

one of darkness as well as light.one of darkness as well as light.

Splendor and LoveSplendor and LoveThe Path of ContemplationThe Path of Contemplation

A life of a contemplative given to the unsparing focus A life of a contemplative given to the unsparing focus on eternal joy is, paradoxically, one of the most on eternal joy is, paradoxically, one of the most utterly draining and demanding lives there could be;utterly draining and demanding lives there could be; yet it shows what the truth is worth.yet it shows what the truth is worth.

The monks and nuns and hermits who take on this The monks and nuns and hermits who take on this calling show us:calling show us: something of the very heart of the Church,something of the very heart of the Church, put into sharp perspective the fussiness of most of our put into sharp perspective the fussiness of most of our

plans and projectsplans and projects Without them the Church would wither and dry up.Without them the Church would wither and dry up.

Splendor and LoveSplendor and LoveIdols and False GodsIdols and False Gods

Most of us are not called to the work of the Most of us are not called to the work of the contemplative, but we are all called to the same contemplative, but we are all called to the same journey of journey of letting God be himself for usletting God be himself for us..

The first and second commandments warn us:The first and second commandments warn us: there shall be no other gods before the true God, andthere shall be no other gods before the true God, and no images should be worshipped in place of God no images should be worshipped in place of God

We violate these commandments when we:We violate these commandments when we: make up our own expectations of God to fill up gaps in our make up our own expectations of God to fill up gaps in our

needs and preferences,needs and preferences, don’t strive through prayer to continually make more room don’t strive through prayer to continually make more room

for the reality of a God that is immeasurably greater than for the reality of a God that is immeasurably greater than any mind or heart or imagination can take in. any mind or heart or imagination can take in.

Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief 6. Love, Actually (I look for the resurrection...

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Transcript of Tokens of Trust: An Introduction to Christian Belief 6. Love, Actually (I look for the resurrection...