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The Union of Opposites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 August 2024

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When God gives his graces to a soul, these graces are never restricted exclusively to the individual. They are bestowed also on the whole Body of Christ. No one can hope to receive graces selfishly, nor can he ascend the Scale of Perfection alone. He may look only towards God and seek him alone, as the three kings journeying to Bethlehem following the beam of the star. But when they have reached their goal and have held the Lord of the whole world in their embrace, they may not stay there alone with him. They are sent back to their country by another way. They return transformed, carrying back what they have received to their own kith and kin. When the soul has reached the heights of perfection, she may not rest there; in one way or another she is sent back to her own folk but to take up a new position, as mediator of the grace she has received.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © 1949 Provincial Council of the English Province of the Order of Preachers

References

1 Anders Nygren. Agape and Eros, part 2, vol. 1. English translation (S.P.C.K. 1938, pp. 61-2).

2 St Clement's 1st Epistle to the Corinthians, nn. 20 and 60. (Lightfoot's translation, vol. 2, pp. 282 and 303).

3 The Dialogue, c. 18. trans, by Thorold, p. 40