The Muslim mystic, Rabl’a said, “To love God, not because of
powerful institutions, or even because God commands it, but to do so in an act
of unencumbered freedom, is the very source of mystical relationship.”
There is a gulf between theology [rational knowledge of God]
and mysticism [experience of God]. Another Muslim mystic and martyr from the 10ce[922ce] called Mansur al-Hallaj taught
passionate, overflowing love as the heart of the divine being instead of blind
imitation and obedience. Such love is the mystery of creation. He said,
“Whoever seeks God runs ahead of God’s revelations, but whomever God seeks has
revelations overtaking his running.” This is what God does for children and
explains their experiences of God.
John of the Cross wrote that God does not reserve the
calling to contemplation to particular souls. On the contrary, God hopes all
will embrace it.
We heard last week that Moses asked God to let him know God
more and we heard God’s response in giving him a vision of God’s goodness. How
well do we know God’s goodness? Meister Eckhart, a Christian mystic put it we
have “not been created for small things.” Contemplating this is both exciting
and daunting.
We are invited into a mutual relationship of love with God
and then when we have been loved, we will be equipped for the sometimes
enormously difficult task of loving our neighbours and ourselves.
Rev Julianne Parker
(see Sermons page for full sermon)
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