Not of This World - A Treasury of Christian Mysticism by James Cutsinger

Author:James Cutsinger [Cutsinger, James]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0941532410
Publisher: NBN_Mobi_Kindle
Published: 2010-08-01T05:00:00+00:00

40

Uncreated Light

St Seraphim of Sarov

B ut how,” I asked Father Seraphim, “can I know that I am in the grace of the Holy Spirit?”

“It is very simple, your Godliness,” he replied. “That is why the Lord says: ‘All things are simple to those who find knowledge’ (Prov. 8:9). The trouble is that we do not seek this Divine knowledge which does not puff up, for it is not of this world. This knowledge which is full of love for God and for our neighbor builds up every man for his salvation. Of this knowledge the Lord said that God ‘wills all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth’ (1 Tim. 2:4). And of the lack of this knowledge He said to His Apostles: ‘Are ye also without understanding’ (Matt. 15:16), or ‘have ye not read the Scriptures’ (Matt. 21:42), and ‘did ye not understand this parable’ (Mk. 4:13). Concerning this understanding, it is said in the Gospel: ‘Then opened He their understanding’ (Luke 24:45), and the Apostles also perceived whether the Spirit of God was dwelling in them or not; and being filled with understanding, they saw the presence of the Holy Spirit with them and declared positively that their work was holy and entirely pleasing to the Lord God. That explains why in their epistles they wrote: ‘It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us’ (Acts 15:28). Only on these grounds did they offer their epistles as immutable truth for the benefit of all the faithful. Thus the holy Apostles were consciously aware of the presence in themselves of the Spirit of God. And so you see, your Godliness, how simple it is.”

“Nevertheless,” I replied, “I do not understand how I can be certain that I am in the Spirit of God. How can I discern for myself His true manifestation in me?”

Father Seraphim replied: “I have already told you, your Godliness, that it is very simple; and I have related in detail how people come to be in the Spirit of God and how we can recognize His presence in us. So what do you want, my dear?”

“I want to understand it well,” I said.

Then Father Seraphim took me very firmly by the shoulders and said: “We are both in the Spirit of God now, my dear. Why do you not look at me?”

I replied: “I cannot look, Father, because your eyes are flashing like lightning. Your face has become brighter than the sun, and my eyes ache with pain.”

Father Seraphim said: “Do not be alarmed, your Godliness! Now you yourself have become as bright as I am. You are now in the fullness of the Spirit of God yourself; otherwise you would not be able to see me as I am.”

Then bending his head towards me, he whispered softly in my ear: “Thank the Lord God for His unutterable mercy to us! You saw that I did not even cross myself; and only in my heart I prayed mentally

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