A Word of Wisdom
“We know a thing only by uniting with it, by assimilating it, by interpreting it and ourselves…Wisdom is the fruit of communion; ignorance the inevitable portion of those who ‘keep themselves to themselves’ and stand apart, judging, analysing the things which they have never truly known.”
Evelyn Underhill, Practical Mysticism, 1914
A Word from a Brother
Delving into the stories of the desert fathers and mothers often transports us far from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. It's easy to dismiss these tales as relics of a bygone era, irrelevant to the demands and complexities of modern life. But Evelyn Underhill, an English mystic, would beg to differ. For her, spirituality was not an esoteric pursuit reserved for the chosen few—it was an integral part of being human.
Amid the chaos of 1914, as war began to engulf Europe, Underhill penned her treatise on practical mysticism. She believed fervently that in times of darkness and uncertainty, the practice of connecting with the divine could sustain individuals, communities, and even entire nations. Practical mysticism, she argued, wasn't about escaping reality but finding meaning and purpose in the midst of it.
Fast-forward to today, and it's hard to deny that we're once again navigating uncertain times. Yet Underhill's words resonate as strongly as ever. They urge us to confront the harsh realities of the world head-on, but not without seeking out glimpses of transcendence, the Real, amidst the chaos.
So, as we scroll through the news feeds filled with turmoil and despair, perhaps we can heed Underhill's call—to look beyond the surface, to find moments of beauty and grace amidst the suffering, and to hold onto hope in the face of desolation. In doing so, we may discover that the promised kingdom is not as distant as it seems, even in the most hostile human deserts.
A Prayer for the Road Ahead
Jesus,
fortify me with the grace of Your Holy Spirit
and give Your peace to my soul
that I may be free
from all needless anxiety,
solicitude and worry.
Help me to desire always
that which is pleasing and acceptable to You
so that Your will may be my will.
Amen
(Saint Francis Xavier Cabrini)
Picture: thanks to Pixabay