Catholicism, holiness and spirituality

Holiness and Austerities

A short story from Anthony de Mello, SJ:

There once was an ascetic who lived a celibate life and made it his life's mission to fight against sex in himself and others.

In due course he died. And his disciple, who could not stand the shock, died a little after him. When the disciple reached the other world he couldn't believe what he saw: There was his beloved master with the most extraordinarily beautiful woman on his lap!

His sense of shock faded when it occurred to him that his master was being rewarded for his sexual abstinence on earth. He went up to him and said, "Beloved Master, now I know that God is just, for you are being rewarded in heaven for your austerities on earth."

The master seemed annoyed. "Idiot!" he said, "This isn't heaven and I'm not being rewarded - she's being punished."

Maybe holiness lies not so much in subjecting ourselves to austerities, but more in being true to who God created us to be. We're all created in God's image, so our genuine selves must be good and worthwhile.

Attentive to the Light

To the disciple who was overly respectful the master said, "Light is reflected on a wall. Why venerate the wall? Be attentive to the light."

Anthony de Mello, SJ

Is my allegiance to the person, the idea, the movement, the party or to the light that I see in each of them?

Find your own meaning

A disciple once complained, "You tell us stories, but you never reveal their meaning to us."

Said the master, "How would you like it if someone offered you fruit and masticated it before giving it to you?"

No on can find your meaning for you. Not even the master.

Anthony de Mello, SJ