26th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Deacon Dick Kostner
Our scripture readings today are telling us that we are not to focus on other peoples spiritual levels, for we all mature at different speeds and levels. God only asks that we try to develop and mature our level of listening to God’s commands that we obey his two great commandments of love of God and love of neighbor. There are different stages of spiritual development for we all learn at different speeds, and at different times. Catholic Doctors of the Faith have identified three stages of spiritual development and maturity. The First Stage is the Purgative Way: It is here that we realize that we have limited ability to fend for our self. We realize that we are sinful at times and that we need help to avoid that which will divorce us of God. We find that we want to form a relationship with God knowing that this will allow us to be happy and free of stress and worry. A conversion is happening within us to learn more about about our Creator. We cultivate virtue and humility realizing our limitations and looking for answers to questions that we encounter during our lives.
The Second Stage is the Illuminative Way: Our minds are gradually enlightened to the ways of God. The relationship with the Holy Spirit becomes stronger although there may be struggles. Sufferings may occur. When I encountered this Way while in Deacon Formation I felt sad because I thought the old Dick Kostner that I grew up with needed to leave. But I was wrong, I just needed to mature in my relationship with God and my personal priorities.
The Third Stage is the Unitive Way: Here we find a constant awareness of the presence of God in all that we do. We discover that he is constantly with us and welcomes conversations with Him in every aspect of human activities. God even responds to us before we even begin a conversation with him giving us direction and help before we even ask for it. At this stage we no longer ask the question, “What would Jesus do?” when encountering difficult situations in life for we already know what Jesus would do. This is the highest level of Spirituality one can develop. Some never reach this level during a human lifespan. It is important to realize that these Stages may not occur in order and because we are all unique we may alternate back and forth as our maturity develops.
The Three Stages of Spirituality is one of the things I believe Jesus is trying to teach his disciples and us. He desires a relationship with all baptized persons whether they are Catholic or other Christians. All Christians have access to the gifts of the Holy Spirit for we are all trying to build a relationship with Jesus, but because we are all unique, we need to realize that all of us are at different levels of Spiritual maturity and that makes us special in the eyes of God, and should not be criticized. As Jesus has told us “whoever does the will of My Father is my brother, sister and mother.”
Our Gospel today has Jesus telling us that “There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill of me. For whoever is not against us is for us. Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ…will surely not lose his reward.” I am happy to say that I feel I have lived out my life knowing and having many friends who are saints. One of them was a friend who I had while going to college. Larry was a quiet sort of person but there was something about him that was peaceful. He lived in our dorm and had about five friends he would associate with. Those friends never knew or heard from him after we graduated. A couple of years ago I received a call from another of my friends who called me with news about Larry. He had been surfing the net and he came across an article written about Larry. It announced the death of Larry and thanked him for his service. It seems that Larry had been employed by a half-way house for battered and abused women in Chicago for some twenty-plus years. This quiet mouse of a kind person had served others who were struggling to find life in a troubled world. Larry served many cups of water to people thirsting for some peace in this world.
I think the Church calls these types of persons “saints.” Wishing all of you a safe and enjoyable journey to sainthood.
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