Wednesday, October 27, 2004
ARE WE BORN TO MYSTICISM ?
A reader sent in an unusual article from Zenit.
A theologian and vice rector of the Lateran University thinks that the Christian of the future will either be a mystic -- or not a Christian at all.
Monsignor Ignazio Sanna delivered that assessment during the Italian congress of the Ecclesial Movement for Cultural Commitment (MEIC).
It calls for clarification. What, exactly, does he mean by mystic? The Church has taught in the past when mysticism was a subject of discussion, that contemplation was infused--a gift--grace from God. But he seems to be indicating that the impetus for mysticism must come from us, and not be something given. He adds:
In this perspective, the contemplative dimension assumes an essential function: "The Christian of the future will either be a mystic or will not be a Christian," Monsignor Sanna stressed.
"By this we don't mean to say that all should have mystical experiences to be Christians, but that, in a plural and secularized world, it will no longer be enough to be born Christians...
I don't see us facing a secularized world so much as a mystical world, with numerous mystical paths competing for our attention. Also, what is a mystic if not the person who has mystical experiences? How do you separate the mystic from mysticism?
