A SANCTUARY IN TIME

 


Focusing on Shabbat’s stillness, the cross becomes a sanctuary in time. Challenging our trustworthiness, it expresses a lived-out 'silentium' underlined by the Magister’s reassuring presence: ‘Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11,26). 

Living our Agape – our committed love - hurts because, enkindled by the warmth of Christ’s presence, we mirror his 'self-emptying’ (Kenosis) by being loyal to our baptismal promises. 

Enkindled, we seek our restfulness in the Father through His Son, which offers us an equilibrium underlined by serenity strengthened by the Holy Spirit.  

Unafraid, we plunge into the darkness of troubled hearts that lack the Magister’s restfulness, witnessing God’s ‘loving-kindness’ (Hesed), which initiates an adventure best defined by St. Ignatius as ‘Contemplatio ad amorem’. 

Adventures can prove misleading when mistaken for escapades: hence, the need to identify with the Magister strengthens, because “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1,21). 

The Shabbat’s stillness, envisaged as a “Sanctuary in time”, initiates this identification: it requires us to explore a deeper understanding of the cross as a maturing and enriching experience focused on serving others.


Martin



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