Beyond the Material

6. When your intellect is concentrated on the love of God you will pay little attention to visible things and will regard even your own body as something alien.

St. Maximus the Confessor Four Hundred Centuries on Love: #6

In our modern, fast-paced world, we are constantly surrounded by stimuli. From the hum of technology to the allure of material possessions, our senses are perpetually bombarded. Amidst this sensory overload, St. Maximus the Confessor offers a refreshing perspective.

He speaks of a divine love so profound that, when truly embraced, it recalibrates our understanding of reality. It's not about denying or denouncing the material world; instead, it's about reshaping our relationship with it. When our focus is on God's love, the transient nature of worldly things becomes more evident.

One might ask, "Why regard our own body as something alien?" It's a reminder that while our bodies are essential and valuable, they are temporary vessels. The real essence of our being, our soul, is eternal. By concentrating on God's love, we come to understand that our true identity lies beyond the physical.

This isn't a call to asceticism or renouncing the world. Instead, it's an invitation to view life through a spiritual lens, prioritizing the eternal love of God over the fleeting attractions of the visible world. As we nurture this divine connection, the distractions of the world fade, replaced by a deeper, more profound understanding of our purpose and existence.

We might begin to see our phones as vehicles to share the beauty of God and we might see our time as a gift.  A gift to balance our focus on God and allow our activities to be a way in which we grow deeper.  We need not only listen to Christian radio, although that may work for some, or watch only Christian television, but, rather see these mediums as an opportunity to  train ourselves and bolster our spirituality.  Thinking about everything as a medium to help be a place where God happens for those around us.  Live our life fully saturated in God’s love and assurance.