Fr. Dale Matson
“For there is no good tree which
produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good
fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from
thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the
good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out
of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth
speaks from that which fills his heart.” (Luke 6:43-45, NASB)
The Scripture passage is a portion
of the Gospel lesson for this Wednesday, the feast day of Alfred the Great.
I have given over considerable time
to reflecting on the vision I experienced last Wednesday at the conclusion of the
Eucharist. As I was folding the Corporal, I looked to my right to see the
resurrected Christ in the tomb folding His burial linen. The Corporal itself, I
discovered later represents the burial linen of Christ. God can and often does
break through when we least expect it. This was no exception, especially since
it happened during what could be considered the “clean up” part of the Mass. My
first response to this was to think myself unworthy of such a magnificent
vision. I also wondered with whom I should share it and under what circumstances.
There was no doubt in my mind that
this was a genuine vision from God. It was not my only experience with visions.
As a retired psychologist, I am reminded of the seeming similarities between mystical visions and psychotic
hallucinations but there is an important difference. Psychiatrist Thomas Agosin
comments, “The consequence of the experience is the most important
difference between mysticism and psychosis, and I believe that it often is the
only way to truly differentiate between the two.” (http://www.seedsofunfolding.org/issues/11_08/feature_english.htm)
What is the result or fruit of this
experience? According to Dr. Agosin, “The mystical experience leaves the mystic
more connected and involved in the world. He/she expands his/her capacity to
love and to serve. The mystic becomes more appreciative of the beauty and the
miracle of life. The mystical experience leaves the individual with a feeling
of reverence for all life, embracing every aspect of life and death as sacred. Serenity increases
in the mystic through detachment to the temporal and transient. The mystic
identifies with the eternal, that which is most sacred and valuable. In that
deep identification, the mystic finds peace and inner tranquility." I believe
this accurately reflects this experience for me.
One result of this experience for
me was a further letting go of anxieties about my own personal passing. Another
was an appreciation of the unlimited dimensions of God’s Kingdom. Finally,
there was a deeper understanding of my priestly vocation and the mystery of the
Eucharist. I wanted to tell the congregation about this but asked God to
confirm this. In the Sunday Homily from Fr. Carlos, he quoted from the Gospel
of St. John, “He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves
Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him
and will disclose Myself to him.” (John 14:21) I took this as confirmation that I should say
something to the congregation and told the congregation about it during the
announcements. What was the rationale for this? Was it to impress them? No, it
was to strengthen their faith and I ended my comments with a paraphrase of the
following verse. “But these have been written so that you may believe that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have
life in His name.” (John 20:31) I am still sorting things out but know that I
will forever be blessed by this vision. Historically, I am thankful for all of
the saints in the church, especially the mystics like St. John of the Cross,
St. Teresa of Avila and Evelyn Underhill. They are a rich source of written
counsel for us all, especially today. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment