Re: Worship is a mystical experience, is it not?


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Posted by Step 11 on May 28, 2013 at 10:02:43

In Reply to: Re: Worship is a mystical experience, is it not? posted by ray on May 27, 2013 at 22:36:50:

"Community [edit]Another aspect of traditional Christian spirituality, or mysticism, has to do with its communal basis. Even for hermits, the Christian life is always lived in communion with the Church, the community of believers. Thus, participation in corporate worship, especially the Eucharist, is an essential part of Christian mysticism."

Good wiki article, imo. The above quote sums up what I suggested about worship as bringing us into the direct, unhidden presence of an incarnate Mystery. In addition to the Eucharist, I'd add that the "real presence" of Christ is accessible through the Mystical Body of believers unified and transformed through worship.

I see the function on Christian mysticism in very simple terms: We are called to love unconditionally. This occurs insofar as we are sanctified in Christ, which is an act of grace in cooperation with turning our self will over to God. We walk a contemplative path insofar as it disposes us to receive sanctifying grace. Things like visions or anything we perceive as a supernatural manifestation are secondary side effects to be viewed with much suspicion, most especially when agape is not present.

An this (agape) is also how we can discern angels of light from angels of darkness, or as in the case of David Berg, false prophets who affect a ruse of mystical transforming union with Divine Love: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others."



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