We all came from different walks of life into the same faith.  God gives us the daily bread through different ways.  Yet we are called not to be a scientist, an engineer, a lawyer, and a teacher, etc., but we are called to the holiness and unity with God at the end of our earthly journey.  Through reading and contemplation, I am trying to share with you what resonates with my heart on the three stages (or three-fold way) of spiritual growth.  This could be viewed as a roadmap (not a testimony or personal experience) to eternity.

 

Like the natural law of “budding-flowering-fruitation”, the three stages of Christian spiritual growth are purgative, illuminative and unitive ways.  All of us – the sons and daughter of God are given GIFTs (talents, etc) in our lives.  It is our own responsibility to GROW and make good use of those gifts in our earthly and most importantly spiritual life.  Our ultimate goal is to achieve unity with God and to share/experience the GLORY of God.

 

My sharing will start with Confucious’ summary of his 72-year earthly life, going through different stages of self-mastery and spiritual growth.  The key to spiritual growth is to move one’s thoughts away from earthly or created matters, including ourselves.  “..the one thing that is most necessary to him.  What is this one thing?  That leaving all, he forsake himself, completely renounce himself, and give up all private affections.  Then, when he has done all that he knows ought to be done, let him in all honesty call himself an unprofitable servant” (Imitation of Christ, 2:11).  Little Theresa’s simple yet powerful teaching of “the way of spiritual childhood, a way of trust and absolute surrender”shows the similar way for achieving unity with God by denying or abandoning self. 

 

How can we make transitions from Stages I to II to III sooner and better is the main point of discussion.  Like our body needs light, water and food to grow, the necessities for our spirits to grow are being provided by our heavenly father as well: light (Divine Word), water (sacraments for purification), and food (via Euchrists).  Inviting God to our heart by emptying ourselves is the beginning to make us “useful tools” for God’s will.  The Word is living Word and is the light of our life, as the Scripture says "The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing bone and marrow, flesh and Spirit."  Only with an empty and longing heart could the Word enter one’s heart and work and unite with one’s spirit.  The void in the container is what makes it useful as a container (Lao Tzu), and this is true for our heart and spirit as well.  "You have made us and directed us toward yourself and our heart is restless until we rest in you." Conf 1.1.

 

We are all led to the path by our parents, relatives, friends and angels, racing towards the ultimate goal is our own choice and responsibility.