2nd Sunday After Easter, 2018
This is the second part of our sermon series on
Spirituality. Last week we mentioned that spirituality refers with our
relationship with Almighty God. It is,
basically, our individual quest for sanctification, or, our growth in holiness
over a lifetime. Simply said,
spirituality is what sets the Christian aside from the pagan, as the Christian
seeks to grow in his faith and knowledge of God. It is not just knowing God, but being known
of Him as well.
Last week we introduced the “Three Steps” to spirituality. Stemming from the great monastic ages to this
present day, those steps are purgation, illumination, and perfection. We learned that purgation, or the purging of
our sins, was the necessary first step. To grow closer to God, one must first
recognize one’s sinfulness, and then deal with that condition with confession
and absolution. Once this has done on a
periodic basis, the second step can occur.
This is the step of illumination.
What is illumination?
Defined strictly, it means to be filled with light. Christ told us: (Matthew 6:22) “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye
be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.”
What was He saying here?
If we Christians keep our eye on Christ, we shall see only Him, and be
filled with the Holy Spirit, and with Christ’s light.
This is very general; what does it actually mean? First, keeping your eye single means to look
to Christ for all things as much as humanly possible. When in doubt or trouble,
look to Christ. When uncertain or
afraid, look to Christ. When in joy or
happiness, look to Christ. As we look on Him and to Him, we will receive more
of His Spirit. Over time, we will know God more and more, just as He knows us. Pray
God gives you the desire to look to Him to receive it.
Following purgation of our sins, we should desire the
next step in spirituality, illumination. This is the inclination to desire
spiritual progress. It is the desire to
look to Christ in all things, and having done so, receiving illumination from
it. As we know Jesus better, wonderful things will happen. First, when we read
the Word, and pray for its truth for us, we will receive it. As one grows in God, the same passage of
Scripture will mean more and more each year one reads it. This is not a
miracle, but it is the Truth of God in His Word Written, which yields more
meaning the deeper we progress in God.
Next, as you participate in the Holy Eucharist, you will
perceive more and more from that holy exercise.
Communal worship become less of a duty and more of a joy. Phrases in the
Book of Common Prayer that once were merely rote will take on profound meaning.
The General Confession will become more penitent. The reception of the Lord’s Supper will be
more mysterious, more familiar to you as you are infused with its grace.
As you seek illumination from God, your private worship
will yield more fruit as well. If you
weren’t in the habit of Morning and Evening Prayer, it will become your joy to
do so. If it was a duty, this too shall
give more benefit and more grace. Once you
establish the habit of daily formal prayer, your day will not be right without
it.
So far, we have discussed external realities. Let us now
look within. This is where illumination
becomes the most real and most meaningful.
Although the experience differs from person to person, suffice it to say
that spiritual illumination is an experience that defies definition. Deep in your innermost being, you will sense
something has changed. When you once believed in God, now you know God. When once you felt the desire to pray
occasionally, now you are compelled to pray frequently As you grow in God,
perhaps you will master the high plane of spirituality where you pray without
ceasing. Somewhere in your being
communication with God is happening. This is blessed and completing to your
soul.
Illumination means so more that we can describe. What we know is this: once the sweet, bright
light of Christ falls on a soul, they are never the same. They are changed
people, now creatures of Christ.
This translates to the world as well, meaning that our
relationship with people and situations also change. Over time, when once we
would react hastily or angrily, a different spirit now lives within us.
Patience replaces petulance. Peace
replaces anger. Faith overcomes worry. Grace overcomes fear. Our lives, though
always filled with tribulation, become joyful. Life has a different fullness
now.
Not all men desire this state. Some prefer to rule their own lives, rather
than seek the Will of God for them. They will continue as they will continue.
Maybe they will encounter God and repent.
Maybe they will not. Others, many
in this room, have the realization that life without God is not life. Christ is
the World’s true Light and life. This they know and believe. Once this realization takes root, only
Christ’s light will do.
So, beloved, do the work.
Pray for grace and illumination.
Have faith. Seek communal worship to strengthen your faith and nourish
your soul. Be diligent in your private
worship and reading the Word of God.
Seek God in everything that you do.
In so doing, pray brethren, that all of us be granted
that measure of illumination that is according to God’s Will.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment