Monday, January 12, 2009

Brian’s Reflection: Thursday, Jan 9, 2009


Angels have no physical voice, but mentally never cease to sing glory to God. This is their sole
occupation and all their life is dedicated to this. So … when you enter your closet and close
your door, that is, when your mind is not darting hither and thither but enters within your heart, and your senses are confined and barred against things of this world, and when you pray thus always, you too are then like the holy angels, and your Father, Who sees your prayer in secret, which you bring Him in the hidden depths of your heart, will reward you openly by great spiritual gifts.


- St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonika, b. 1296


Well, that is about the first sensible thing I have heard said about “angels” in a long time, and we had to go back about 700 years for it! Gregory Palamas depicts “angels” as, in a sense, symbolic enlarged personifications of ….. US! And in doing so, he beautifully illustrates what it means to “go into your closet and close the door” when we pray/meditate/talk with God.

As usual with all manner of things in sacred writing, “closet” here is a metaphor - in this case for an uncluttered, focused, loving heart and mind. Like the angels who have no physical voice (according to Palamas - what about the angels who “speak” in the Bible??), the most intimate form of prayer is voiceless. It is simply giving as much of ones attention as possible to God. The implication is that we, like the angels but in our own human way, are called to live lives dedicated first to “praising God”.

Of course, there are infinite ways to “praise God”. Authenticity of Self. Good works. Evangelical virtues (kindness, compassion, mercy, etc). All these connect us to God. But a mind and heart offering ceaseless (well, the best we can manage!) praise to God in all we are and do – this is when we are most connected to the source of our Being. And the most open to Blessing.

We know that certain “closets” are unhealthy! Most of us need to “come out” of some “closet” or other. But “Prayer in secret” - a healthy place!

Brian+

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