Imagine standing on the edge of a vast meadow at dawn. The world around you is painted in hues of soft blues and grays, a tranquil canvas of predawn serenity. As time ebbs, the first rays of the sun gently pierce the horizon, casting a golden light that dances across the expanse, illuminating every blade of grass, every dewdrop. If you have healthy eyes, you cannot help but be drawn to this majestic display. The sun, in all its morning glory, beckons, and the eye naturally gravitates towards it, captivated by its brilliance.

Such is the relationship between the pure intellect and the knowledge of God when guided by love. The intellect, in its untainted and pure form, yearns for higher truths, just as a healthy eye is drawn to light. It seeks understanding, clarity, and enlightenment. In the spiritual realm, the most profound of these truths is the knowledge of God. This knowledge isn’t just a collection of facts or doctrines but a deep, experiential awareness of the Divine. And the most potent magnet that pulls the intellect towards this divine knowledge? Love.

The Ember of Faith and the Flame of Love

Imagine, for a moment, standing in the vast expanse of a cold, snow-covered forest. The bite of winter chill clings to the very air you breathe. As you stand there, you visualize the flickering flames of a roaring campfire. You picture its warmth, the glow of its embers, the way it lights up the night, dispelling shadows. Yet, as detailed as this image might be in your mind, it doesn't provide any warmth to your frigid hands or combat the biting cold.

Such is the nature of faith without love.

Faith, in its essence, is akin to understanding the concept of fire. It’s acknowledging the potential of warmth, the possibility of light. But without the spark – without action – it remains just a thought, a dormant idea that hasn't been ignited. And what is that vital spark, that element which brings faith alive, turning a dormant potential into a radiant reality? It is love.

Embracing the Unexpected

Picture a vast, expansive landscape, a pristine meadow blanketed by a thick layer of untouched snow. Its serenity is absolute, every individual snowflake contributing to this vast white canvas, shimmering gently under the kiss of sunlight. But hidden beneath this sheet of white is a dormant seed, waiting for its time to sprout, to break free from its frozen prison and reach for the skies.

Such is the nature of our inner growth. Often, the pristine landscapes of our lives, built on comfort and routine, camouflage dormant seeds of potential within us. And sometimes, it takes the harsh, biting cold of an insult or indignity to crack the surface and pave the way for these seeds to awaken.

Navigating the Storms

Imagine a tranquil sea, its azure depths reflecting the cerulean sky above, with gentle waves playfully nudging the sandy shore. Now, from the horizon, a dark cloud appears, bringing with it a tempest that disrupts this tranquility. The calm waters turn tumultuous, and the once clear skies are overshadowed by the storm. Yet, beneath these roiling waters, in the deep abyss of the sea, tranquility remains untouched.

Much like this sea, our inner peace can be disrupted by the unexpected storms of life – insults, humiliations, and perceived slights. These incidents, if allowed to, can stir up the surface of our minds, clouding our inner tranquility with angry thoughts and feelings of irritation. If these turbulent waves of anger are left unchecked, they possess the power to shift us from the realm of love into the treacherous territory of hatred.

Communion of Saints

Feast DaysJustin YawnNovember 1, 2023St. Francis in-the-Field Episcopal ChurchMaximus, Maximos, early church, st francis in-the-field, justin yawn, patristics, contemplative, ponte vedra, Episcopal Church

The Divine Flame

Picture a vast, barren landscape, blanketed by the silver luminescence of moonlight. A solitary figure stands in the midst, undeterred by the biting cold or the howling winds that seem to carry whispers of discouragement. His gaze is locked firmly on the distant horizon where the first hint of dawn promises to break. This traveler’s heart burns with an eternal flame, a love for God that neither the harshest elements nor the darkest nights can extinguish.

In this portrayal, the traveler epitomizes the essence of what Maximus the Confessor conveys. Just like the relentless flame that defies the encroaching darkness, love for God, once kindled in the heart, becomes an unstoppable force. It propels the soul forward, making it indefatigable in its pursuit of the divine.

The Pathway to Divine Embrace

In the dappled shade of an ancient forest, imagine a wanderer. With each step, he casts away a heavy burden - a jeweled crown, a golden goblet, a cloak encrusted with gems. These are the trappings of a life once lived, worldly possessions that once defined his identity. But as he ventures deeper into the heart of the woods, these items become inconsequential, dwarfed by the majesty of towering trees and the serene song of nature.

This forest journey is symbolic of the transformative path described by Maximus the Confessor. To renounce worldly things is not just about physical possessions, but also the intangible burdens we carry - our ego, our ambitions, our desires. Like the wanderer shedding his treasures, it's about letting go of the things that tether us to the superficial and the transient.

The Many Facets of Love's Expression

Picture a mosaic, shimmering in the light of a setting sun. Each tiny tile, whether it's cerulean blue, fiery orange, or verdant green, comes together to create an intricate scene, a story captured in fragments of colored glass. The tiles, on their own, might seem inconspicuous, but when pieced together with intention and artistry, they tell a tale that's larger than the sum of its parts.

In much the same way, love, in its grandeur and complexity, is composed of countless gestures, both grand and small. The saying from Maximus the Confessor directs our gaze to the mosaic of love, to its multifaceted nature, and to the myriad ways it finds expression in our lives.

The Unwavering Gaze of Divine Love

There's an enduring image of a master potter, fingers coated in clay, working at a wheel, shaping a lump of wet earth into a creation of purpose and beauty. Each turn of the wheel, each press of the hand, is a testament to the craftsman's connection with the material. The clay, in all its raw potential, is molded by the potter, who sees not just what it is, but what it can become.

This image mirrors the profound saying of Maximus the Confessor about God’s relationship with humanity. God, the ultimate craftsman, perceives every human being—whether virtuous or sinner—as His precious handiwork. Like the potter who understands the promise within each mound of clay, God recognizes the inherent value within every soul.

Embracing

Have you ever stood in a field of blue bonnets in Texas? When you look out at these wildflower you soon realize that the sun does not choose which flowers to shine upon based on their hues or stature. Instead, it generously casts its golden rays upon every blossom, every blade of grass, nurturing and illuminating them equally. Such is the essence captured by Maximus the Confessor when he speaks about divine imitation in almsgiving.

Imagine, if you will, a gentle rain shower. Each droplet descends from the heavens, indiscriminate in its purpose, eager to quench the thirst of every living thing below. It does not pause to ponder whether the land beneath it is barren or fertile, or whether the seeds sown are good or bad. Its mission is pure and simple: to nourish, to sustain, and to bring life.

© st. francis in-the-Field

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