Action and Sanctification

As I was reading through 'The Making of a Mind' I came across a letter from Teilhard written while he was on a break from the front-lines, at a place named Zuydcoote in Northern France, on July 4, 1915. The first part of it was familiar, containing the prayer titled 'Patient Trust' that I first read in the little prayer book 'Hearts on Fire'. The second part of the letter contains another gem - Teilhard's description of true religion, one which spurs action that leads to sanctification:

One of the surest marks of the truth of religion, in itself and in an individual soul, is to note to what extent it brings into action, that is, causes to rise up from sources deep within each one of us, a certain maximum of energy and effort. Action and sanctification go hand in hand, each supporting the other. You want to feel yourself more balanced in the hurly-burly of a free life: strive to increase your own personal impetus, your thrust towards the good to be achieved in your own circle. When your moral 'vital force' has thus been increased, the contrary winds that might make you waver or hesitate if you were at rest will hardly divert you from your course, for you will be under way.

I like that - it makes sense to me, and I've found it to be true. When I am more or less standing still in my spiritual life, in my social-justice activities, or just feeling all-around insular, it is much easier for me to waver and hesitate to do the right thing, to live a holier life. But when I'm moving along, spiritually and in using my blessings to help others, I am much more centered and resolute. Action and sanctification do seem to go hand in hand, for me at least.

Comments

[Meg]

I'd never thought of it that way before, Steve. Thanks! As Lent drags to an end, that will come in very useful.

[crystal]

I didn't realize that he had been an army chaplain. I had a Jesuit friend who was an army chaplain in Iraq recently. What tough job that must be.

[Steve Bogner]

Hi Meg - 'drags to an end'... I know what you mean. It has seemed to be dragging along for me this year.

Crystal - He was also sort of a medic, too. I think back at that time the roles were not so well-defined as they are today. My brother-in-law is a chaplain, and to hearing him talk about his experience on active duty, I can tell he really gets into it and feels called to it. I think it's one of those jobs you really need to be called to do (well, most jobs are probably like that :)