This week I have been reading a short compilation of John Cassian’s writings entitled Making Life A Prayer. Writing fifteen centuries ago, Cassian shares thoughts of spiritual growth and the complexities of living in Christ that are relevant to our spiritual journey today. His main emphasis is on prayer, which is the means by which we come into constant communion with Jesus. Cassian describes the variety of ways God may speak to us…
“Often through some inexpressible delight and keenness of spirit the fruit of conviction arises so that it actually breaks forth into shouts owing to the greatness of its uncontrollable joy. The delight of the heart and greatness of exultation make themselves heard. But sometimes the mind hides itself in complete silence within the secrets of a profound quiet so that the amazement of a sudden illumination chokes all sounds of words, and the overawed spirit either keeps all its feelings to itself or loses them and pours forth its desires to God with sighs too deep for words. And sometimes it is filled with such overwhelming conviction and grief that it cannot express it except by floods of tears.”
Uncontrollable joy. Profound silence. Overwhelming grief. These are the responses we sometimes have when God shares with us the power of his Grace, the revealing of his Word. Though these are variegated and seem contradictory, I think they accurately reflect the many-faceted ways God works in us, speaks to us, and draws us to his side. We come with the totality and complexity of our emotions and thoughts, because God wants all of us—smiles, tears and uncertainties—to be found in Him.
This month, as we experience the new life of Spring budding forth all around us, let us also consider how God’s Easter promise of new life in the soul may come to us.
Blessings,
JON
