The Interior Life
1. Human life is threefold. First, there is the physical life, that is,
the life of the body animated by the soul. Then there is the
intellectual life, through which the soul searches for truth and
controls the powers of the body. Finally, there is the supernatural
life, which leads us towards Christian perfection and unites us to God,
the source of goodness and happiness.
These three levels of life are all good in themselves, but form a
hierarchy in which the primacy is held by the spiritual life. Physical
life is a gift from God, but must remain subordinate to the spiritual
life. If it were given precedence over reason and over the natural and
divine law, our proper scale of values would be upset and we should fall
prey to a host of sinful inclinations. The same applies to the
intellectual life. God endowed us with intelligence to enable us to know
the truth, explore the secrets of the universe, and use them for our
own welfare. If the intellect fails to ascend to the knowledge of God
from its knowledge of worldly objects and ceases to be inspired by a
high regard for virtue, its achievements can lead eventually to death
and destruction.
The supernatural life, which is nourished by
divine grace, perfects man. All our physical powers and spiritual
faculties should be dominated by this life, which Jesus Christ came into
the world to bring to us. We can have this life if we obey His
commands, control our passions, pray fervently, resign ourselves to His
will, and perform all our actions for love of Him.
2. The daily
struggle for existence gradually wears down both the physical and the
intellectual life. The same can happen to the supernatural life. The
long process of self-denial, acceptance of crosses, and efforts to
achieve perfection, can be very difficult and very tiring. Often we feel
weary and discouraged, but on these occasions we must recall the words
of Jesus. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) “Come
to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Mt. 11:28)
3. Let us go to Jesus when we are worn out by
conflict and have no strength left. Let us go to Him when we feel that
we can walk no farther along the stony path to perfection. He will help
us and restore our courage; He will grant us an increase of grace, which
is the source of the spiritual life.
It is essential, however,
that we should have a spirit of recollection. If we are dissipated, we
shall be unable to hear the voice of God. We must speak with God and
open our hearts to Him; we must tell Him that we love Him and wish to
learn to love Him more and to conform more completely to His designs for
us. Then we shall find peace and contentment in the interior life such
as the world can neither know nor communicate.
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