A Spiritual Compass
4. The person who loves God values knowledge of God more than anything created by God, and pursues such knowledge ardently and ceaselessly.
St. Maximus the Confessor Four Hundred Centuries on Love: #4
One of my favorite classes in high school was AP Art History. I never thought of myself as someone moved by art, but that class opened me up to a new dimension of my personhood. I found myself longing to understand Rembrandt, Picasso, Van Gogh, and others less famous. There is a beauty to art and it can take you to so many other places and ideas. In a way, the artist has the capacity to open your eyes to the beauty of God around you.
In this succinct yet profound declaration, Maximus the Confessor encapsulates the essence of the spiritual quest: "The person who loves God values knowledge of God more than anything created by God, and pursues such knowledge ardently and ceaselessly." This statement delves into the nature of divine love and the innate human desire for understanding and communion.
When Maximus suggests that someone who loves God "values knowledge of God more than anything created by God," he highlights a fundamental distinction between the Creator and the created. It's a poignant reminder that while the beauty, intricacy, and wonders of the world can evoke awe and admiration, they are but manifestations of the Divine. To truly love God is to yearn to know Him in His entirety, not just His creations. It speaks to the difference between being fascinated by an artist's masterpiece and longing to know the artist's very soul.
Moreover, this statement underscores the nature of divine love as an active, relentless pursuit. It's not passive admiration or occasional reverence, but an "ardent and ceaseless" journey towards understanding. The phrase "pursues such knowledge ardently and ceaselessly" paints a picture of the devout soul as a relentless seeker, whose thirst for divine knowledge is unquenchable. It's a journey where the destination might remain elusive, but the path itself becomes the purpose, with every step drawing the seeker closer to the Divine.
Furthermore, Maximus's emphasis on the value of "knowledge of God" touches upon the transformative power of gnosis or experiential knowledge. This isn't knowledge in the academic or theoretical sense, but a profound, intimate understanding borne from direct experience and communion with God.
In summation, Maximus the Confessor's fourth statement in his First Century on Love provides a compass for the spiritual aspirant. It emphasizes the paramount importance of seeking direct knowledge of God, reminding us that while the marvels of creation can be pathways to the divine, the ultimate quest is to know and unite with the Creator Himself. The statement is both a beacon and a challenge, urging us to prioritize and ardently pursue the profound knowledge of God above all else.