I recently came upon some intriguing quotes from Mechtild of Magdeburg, a 13th Century mystic who is believed by some scholars to have influenced Dante’s The Divine Comedy. Here is one of my favorites:
Do not disdain your body, for the soul is just as safe in
its body as in the kingdom of heaven – though not so certain.
It is just as daring – but not so strong.
Just as powerful – but not so constant.
Just as loving – but not so joyful.
Just as gentle – but not so rich.
Just as holy — but not yet so sinless.
Just as content — but not so complete.
Why do some of us “disdain” our bodies?
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Perhaps it is because there are too many references to the likes of, “…the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.”
I thank you for this insight Father Paul. It adds a new dimension to my contemplations of both the spiritual and the worldly.
After all, imperfect though we all are here on earth, our bodies are non-the-less the “temple of God.”
I found another Ignation daily meditation today that helps me to accept myself and my body, as is — so long as I strive for the higher things — from this site:
http://www.silentinsight.com/silent-insight-daily-catholi/daily-meditation-gods-love-for-us-part-i.html
Daily Meditation – God’s Love for Us (Part I)
[During the “first week” of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius, consideration is given to how much we are loved by God. From this consideration, we begin to realize how much we have not responded to that goodness and hence are then able to respond to our sinfulness with open honesty. This understanding of and sorrow for our sins opens us to the love and mercy of God. Consider the following in the context of God’s love for us and our love response to him as well]
“Behold God beholding you … and smiling.”
- Anthony de Mello SJ
It is Anthony’s last line that impacted me most.
In my 1950s education: soul good, body bad.
I now know,as written above, we each are already living eternal life.
I also know that my legs, which don’t work, are sacred to God.
Lay your hands on your legs and pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” Everyone loves downloads and upgrades, let’s take just that for your legs. I’ve witnessed many healings. Your’s is next.
Is there anyone on this blog who can direct me to one Catholic Website where I can find reputable teaching about the Catholic Church? I have a Comparative Religion Term Paper due in 2 wks. and lucky me………not even a Christian got assigned the Catholic Church! I have been on more websites and found more contradiction and hostility directed towards my questions…..it seems the only thing agreed upon is that homosexuality and abortion are sinful. Is there one teaching site available?? I’m gonna flunk this class!
Emma
Emma,
With more than 1 billion Catholics in the world, it’s hard to get it all down to one website!
Try these sites:
The Vatican in Rome: http://www.vatican.va/offices/index.htm
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: http://www.usccb.org/
The Catholic Encyclopedia online (beware, it is an ancient edition!): http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/
If your library has Richard P. McBrien’s “Catholicism,” I think it would be worth looking at, especially the first chapter.
Paul
Thanks again (just in case the first didn’t go through; my computer’s not feeling well today), and yes, with over a billion Catholics in the world I guess there is bound to be some confusion!
I’m late to this – I have been in the hospital for 12 days, with major surgery and complications. The body is something I am pondering as I heal. Thank you for this. Your blog is such a gift. Peace to you.