Thoughts

Jesus A Dialogue with the Saviour
Chapter XXVII: on purification through Jesus

“Now you are clean, by reason of the word which I have spoken to you.” The Saviour’s word is not only an incitement to purification and an instrument through which this purification is declared, but it also purifies in a substantial way.

If we receive this word by opening our heart to it, by letting ourselves be possessed by it, we are made clean even before forgiveness has been formally asked for and granted. For we receive the Word made flesh. This purification lasts as long as the union of the soul with the Word lasts.

Jesus A Dialogue with the Saviour
Chapter XXVI: another version of the little way!

The sign by which the shepherds will recognize the Saviour is that they will find “the infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a manger.” No sign of power accompanies the birth of Jesus Christ.

Jesus A Dialogue with the Saviour
Chapter XXV: Lamb of God

It is not enough to know Jesus as the Master who speaks to me and the friend who attracts me. The good shepherd is also the Lamb of God. He is the victim who has offered Himself for me in sacrifice. Without an intimate knowledge of the lamb, I cannot know the heart of Christ.

Jesus A Dialogue with the Saviour

Chapter XIV: root out all that is not God

Jesus eludes those who want to make Him king. He is unwilling to give his opinion about the conflicts between Israel and Caesar. He refuses to help a man who asks Him this, in a disagreement about inheritance.

He who has come to cut the roots by which these things hold us captive, would not encourage us in our search for them. “One thing is necessary.” Mary left all things in order to listen to the word: she has chosen “the best part.”

Jesus A Dialogue with the Saviour
Chapter XIII:One Word: Walking Humbly Behind Him

“Come ye after Me.” This is the most customary form of the call which Jesus gives to those who will be His disciples.

We must follow Jesus. First of all, we must not be where Jesus is not, nor go where He would not go. Next, we must go where He is going, and go with Him. We must not follow at a distance, but close by Him; not aiming at outdistancing Him and going faster than He. We must walk humbly behind Him.

Lectio Matters before the burning bush

I received my copy from London in the mail yesterday. It's now available from Continuum Publishers or Amazon.com

It's a work of many collaborators. I've dedicated it to encourage all of us to do lectio whenever we are not doing something else!

Sister Meg

Jesus A Dialogue with the Saviour

Chapter XI: Crystal Clear

The atmosphere of Jesus is luminous. “I am the light of the world.” With Jesus there is no trace of clouds or storm, of pathos and tempestuous violence, of darkness rent by lightning flashes. There is not even a partial shadow. Everything in Jesus is crystal clear. This clarity does not exclude an often keen sharpness.

Meg: I wrote this essay ten years ago. I am posting it today to bring forward the reason I am posting so many meditations from the Monk of the Eastern Church.

For us to have an abiding Christ Consciousness we must practice. We must train our minds to a one-pointedness toward Jesus. If we let our minds range in free-fall our thoughts just drift and/or move up the chain of attractions and aversions.

A Christ Consciousness is a way of contemplation which requires right effort to remain docile to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.