Evelyn Underhill
Fr. Tony’s Mid-week Reflection
February 25, 2015
Spirituality and Responsibility
Here in Ashland, we often hear the sentiment that
spirituality is having a heart at rest in the oneness behind the universe, and
mainly a contemplative effort. I am not
sure that this is a sound idea. The
great English mystic Evelyn Underhill wrote,
“More is required of those who wake up to reality than the passive adoration of God or communion with God… [God] made us in order to use us, and use us in the most profitable way: for [God’s] purpose, not ours. To live a spiritual life means subordinating all other interests to that single fact. … I go back to the one perfect summary of [our] Godward life and call—the Lord’s Prayer. Consider how dynamic and purposive is its character. Thy will be done—thy Kingdom come! There is energy, drive, purpose in those words; an intensity of desire for the coming of perfection in to life. Not the limp resignation that lies devoutly in the road and waits for the steam roller; but a total concentration on the total interests of God, which must be expressed inaction. …We are the agents of the Creative Spirit in this world. Real advance in the spiritual life, then, means accepting this vocation with all it involves. ..it means an offering of life to the Father of life, to Whom it belongs; a willingness—an eager willingness—to take our small place in the vast operations of [God’s] Spirit, instead of trying to run a poky little business on our own.” (The Spiritual Life, pp. 73-79)
The division between contemplation and action, while useful
in discussing technique, at a spiritual level is somewhat artificial and less than helpful. A glimpse of the beatific vision of God’s
glory does not in this life reduce us to inaction and stillness. It moves us to service, justice, compassion, and right
doing. Micah summed it up this way, “What
does the Lord require of you? Do justice, love
kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” (6:8).
Grace and Peace,
Fr. Tony+
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