The story of Jacob wrestling with an angel is a powerful image of the wrestling match between science and religion. Scientist and mystic both wrestle with matter and the universe until it yields the divine. Evolution is a revelation of God continually involved in creation which is far reaching and ongoing. Like the story of the prodigal son, God is always waiting, longing, pursuing creation. Even creation itself is waiting for the children of God to act and bring healing to the earth.
Ascetic spiritual disciplines and the community of believers look for many ways to heal and bring restoration to God's world through the gifts of science and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The world reveals the Spirit and the Spirit reveals the world. The repeating cycles and patterns of the world flows out of the repeating cycles and patterns of God's Spirit. Incarnation is the outcome of the Triune God who takes matter and spirit and breathes life and energy into the whole universe.
When one is mystically touched by the indescribable, one discovers the secret of the invincible power of God's love. We only hurt each other when we do not love one another. God's mysterious light and purifying fire engulfs one's total being. Everything is exposed and there is nothing hidden. All becomes translucent and transparent in the glorious colors and radiating rays of God's perfect love. The whole universe becomes alive reaching upward in spiritual evolution to the fullness and unity of God.
Humility and interior peace fill the soul like a flood of heaven whose gates are open wide. This cosmic vision of Christ's face hidden in the universe of matter and spirit all intersect at the foot of the cross. Matter and spirit are not two separate substances but two distinct aspects of one creative action of the cosmos. No longer should one abandon the world but fully participate and build it up. No longer is one tossed back and forth by the dark forces and demonic elements of the world for they have lost their hold on us. All creation is therefore knit together with Christ at its fiery center.
Until we posses this new vision of the universe, the alien forces of this world will tempt us with many false illusions and deceptions. If we are tempted that we posses the florescent light of God then spiritual pride and hypocrisy stands at the door. It is only by complete surrender into the loving arms of God's grace that takes possession of us and not the other way around. We begin to see God's dazzlingly light everywhere that draws and pulls like an invisible force everything to the center.
God's presence both disturbs and brings to light our imperfections while it comforts and gives peace and rest to the tired soul. The divine presence is continually pressing in and seeks to enter into our lives. Scientist and mystic can learn the art of detachment that cleanses and nourishes our hungry souls. God's presence and energies strengthen and purify till that moment when we experience union with God. Suddenly our massive confusions and fleshly inner forces within are stilled by the immensity of God and the powerful inter-connections of the universe.
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