Sunday, January 1, 2012

Augustine of Hippo on Faith vs Contemplation

'I am the way, and the truth, and the life' (John 14.6).  Faith is our way, contemplation is the truth and the life.  'For now we see in a mirror dimly' (I Corinthians 13.12).  This is faith.  'But then face to face.'  This is contemplation.  Paul says again: 'Christ dwells in our hearts according to the inner man by faith.'  That is the road along which we can catch glimpses only. But he adds: 'You will know the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge and you will be filled with all the fullness of God' (cf. Ephesians 3.16-19).  Contemplation is this fullness . . . 'You have died,' he says again, 'and you life is hid with Christ in God.'  That is faith.  But 'when Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory' (Colossians 3.3-4).  That is the vision of God.  
   
'Beloved,' John says, 'we are God's children; it does not yet appear what we shall be.'  That is faith.  But he goes on:  'We know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.' (1 John 3.2).  That is contemplation. 
   
~ Augustine of Hippo, Sermons, 346,2 (PL 38,1523-4) 
   
TALK ABOUT IT  The Greek word for faith - pisteuo - means to trust or to entrust.  The Greek word for contemplation - theoria - means to look at things through the eye of the soul.  Both are considered divine gifts as well as human effort.  After reading Augustine, what would YOU say is the relationship between faith and contemplation? 
   
NOTE  Allow for some flexibility in the definition of these words in our discussion and practice.  In other contexts, the word theoria is used as a counterpart to praxis - theoria (a spiritual idea or teaching) vs praxis (spiritual experience or practice).  This can be confusing since contemplation (theoria) is often considered a practice.  
    
PRACTICE IT  (INWARD)  Where are you on your spiritual journey relative to faith and contemplation?  Where do you feel called to be?  Who can help you make progress toward your goal? 
    
PRACTICE IT (OUTWARD)  How do/can you practice entrusting others to God and looking at them through the eye of your soul?  
    
AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO ON FAITH AND CONTEMPLATION: CHURCH OF RECONCILIATION   
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2 comments:

  1. Diana78131January 1, 2012 at 6:57 PM

    yikes FR Bruce, this is like a PHD in philosophy. I think I need to reconsider once this headache disappears!

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  2. Bruce WilsonJanuary 2, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    You just take care of your headache. I take this observation from Augustine as a reminder that contemplation isn't for everybody. It is for those who want or need direct experience of the Sacred. I am also reminded of Anthony De Mello, who removes some of the Western baggage from such experience. In one of his exercises, he suggests observing the sensations - breath, skin, colors, sounds. Then he quite simply says, "Sense God in the colors." "Sense God in the sounds." Etc. Contemplation doesn't have to be that complicated.

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