This state brings great gifts to the Church and one reason why the Church is so weak is that few allow God to purify them to the point where they can enter into this Illuminative State. Purgation is painful. It is humbling, publicly so. Few want to give up self-love for the Divine Love which comes in the Illuminative State.
And yet, I think I have met some in this state. Most, but not all, have been young, very young, under forty.
They have exhibited a deep passion for Christ and His sufferings. They have exhibited wisdom beyond their years. These people are humble and unknown to the world. One works in a store, another is a housewife. The love for God pours out of them and they love their neighbor as themselves. They are beyond their predominant faults. They have allowed God to purify their senses and their spirits. And, they have and are suffering.
One young woman of about thirty-three cannot have children. She is brilliant and loves God before all persons. Her husband allows her to pursue perfection. She is fortunate in her spouse. He is not jealous of her relationship with Christ.
Another woman prays almost constantly while serving her family of six children and a busy husband. Again, her husband supports her spiritual life and shares it with her. They are fortunate in each others' pursuit of the life of virtue. She is a humble person and does not see how much light she sheds in the lives of others.
I know many people in the Dark Night. They are learning humility and gaining self-knowledge. They fight their predominant faults daily and fight the good fight against temptations.
I do not think I have met anyone in the Unitive State. If I have, I have not recognized this. But St. Bernard describes it as he lived it. Like John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, he shares with us the focus of the Unitive State, the Mystical Marriage of the soul and Christ.
I have written on this in my posts in the first perfection series, especially with regard to St. Catherine of Siena. Many saints have experience the unity of the Mystical Marriage.
One of my favorite paintings in the Co-Cathedral of St. John in Valletta is that of the Mystical Marriage of St. Catherine.
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| http://allaboutmalta.blogspot.com/2013/05/event-of-month-faith-and-humanity.html |
to be continued....
