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Spirituality and Personality

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 August 2024

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In the course of twenty centuries the simple message of Christ has developed in many directions, like the mustard-seed of the Gospel. Dogma, moral theology; canon law, administration and organization have branched out, together, into a gigantic system which gives the impression of providing all the answers the world needs become heaven on earth.

The only answer the system does not contain is the personal answer of each soul to its Maker. That is the soul's own and exclusive preserve. It also happens to be to be the only answer that really matters. St Paul made that abundantly clear in his statement on the nature of true love (I Cor. 13). The worth of the whole system, its vitality, its measure and stature in terms of final redemption, all this depends ultimately on the individual soul's response to Christ and his Church. Tiaras, honours, demonstrations, movements, vestments or medals will not be restored at the Last Judgment to cover our personal nakedness.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1954 Provincial Council of the English Province of the Order of Preachers

References

La Vie Spirituelle, October 1945, pp. 289-303; December 1945, pp. 541-555; June 1946, pp. 59.68.

St Athanasius, Contra Gentles, c. 30, P. Gr. XXV, 600. For some of the texts I have used Dom Michael Marx, Incessant Prayer in Ancient Monastic Literature, Rome, 1946.

Homily in Numeris, 24, 2.

Vita Antonii, P. Gr. XXVI, 20, col. 872-873.

Regula Monachorum, XVIII and LXXII.

Appendix to the Questions and Answer, Wallis Budge, The Paradise or Garden of the Holy Father, London, 1907, I, 283, n. 605.