Dear People Whom God Loves,
We have been reflecting on the resurrected state where all the elements of our humanness will be integrated. This journey involves allowing Love (God) to work in us and with us to enter into that resurrected state that will only happen fully in the next life. He is an example of this integration.
We have, at times, been accustomed to see agape (non-desiring an unselfish love) and eros (desiring love) as two separate loves. Notice that our word erotic comes from the word eros. I think that a better way to look at it is not to think of them as separate loves but as two energies in one human love. Only when these two energies are integrated are we fully loving. Eros must be integrated with agape or we could say agape must be integrated with eros. Otherwise, we are off track.
When these two energies are integrated, our love may be expressed with or without sexual activity. Whether or not sexual activity is appropriate depends on the kind of relationship we are in. Full human love, in my opinion, always includes passion (desiring) whether or not the relationship includes sexual activity.
Notice that the saintly mystics often use sexual images to express what their love with God is like. There is not sexual activity involved, but there is passion and desiring.
We are called by Jesus to grow into that resurrected state in this life to the degree that it is possible.
Signs that we are growing into this state are our growing out of selfishness, fear, and narcissism and into justice, compassion, humility, and gratitude. The path is letting go (always under the influence of Love) of egocentricity by surrender and nonattachment.
More next time.
Smile, God Loves You,
Father Clay
Leave a Reply