Meister Eckhart: To grow capacious of receiving much

He told them this parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. Luke 21:29-31

“Schoolmen have often asked how it is possible for the soul to know God. It is not from severity that God demands much from men in order to obtain the knowledge of Himself: it is of His kindness that He wills the soul by effort to grow capacious of receiving much, and that He may give much. Let no man think that to attain this knowledge is too difficult, although it may sound so, and indeed the commencement of it, and the renouncement of all things is difficult. But when one attains to it, no life is easier nor more pleasant nor more lovable, since God is always endeavouring to dwell with man, and teach him in order to bring him to Himself. No man desires anything so eagerly as God desires to bring men to the knowledge of Himself. God is always ready, but we are very unready. God is near us, but we are far from Him. God is within, and we are without. God is friendly; we are estranged. The prophet says, “God leadeth the righteous by a narrow path into a broad and wide place, that is into the true freedom of those who have become one spirit with God.” May God help us all to follow Him that He may bring us to Himself. Amen.”

Meister Eckhart (1260-1327) in “The Nearness of the Kingdom” in Meister Eckhart’s Sermons, Trans. Claud Field (London: H. R. Allenson, 1909) 11-12.

Sit with two ideas as we think about the intersection of kindness and generosity.

Firstly, consider this thought. “It is of His kindness that [God] wills the soul by effort to grow capacious of receiving much, and that He may give much.” Anyone who desires to be generous must first learn to grow capacious of receiving because everything good and perfect comes from God.

Are you putting yourself in a position to receive from God? Is there noise or are there distractions in your life? We must learn from God how to grow our capacity to receive. The season the church sets aside to grow in this area is known as Lent.

As we approach Lent, what will you fast from to increase your receiving capacity? Once you make that decision, decide what you will give to, so that that self-indulgence will not swallow your surplus time, energy, and/or resources.

Secondly, consider this saying my wife, Jenni, likes to say during Lent while fasting. “I am feasting on Jesus. I am feasting on Jesus.” She says that because we need to train ourselves to forgo that which does not satisfy in order to partake of the only thing that does.

Eckhart says it this way. “The renouncement of all things is difficult. But when one attains to it, no life is easier nor more pleasant nor more lovable, since God is always endeavouring to dwell with man.”

When we fast or renounce other things, we grow our capacity to gain the one and only thing that satisfies. God takes us on this journey because He wants us to find our satisfaction in Him.

Lent begins next Wednesday. Follow God’s leading regarding what to fast from, give to, and pray for. As Eckhart concludes: “May God help us all to follow Him that He may bring us to Himself.”

A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. Psalm 37:10-11

“From the same source which gives rise to meekness there also arises kindness, for only a meek person can be kind. This kindness makes a person present a loving appearance and give affable responses and do all kinds of benevolent deeds for those who are quarrelsome, in the hope that they will come to see themselves as they are and amend their ways. Through graciousness and kindness, charity remains living and fruitful in a person, for a heart of kindness is like a lamp full of precious oil. This oil of kindness enlightens erring sinners through good example, and it salves and heals through comforting words and deeds those whose hearts are wounded, grieved, or embittered. Though the fire of charity it provides a flame and bright light for those who are living virtuous lives, and neither jealousy nor disfavor can harm it.”

John Ruusbroec (1293-1381) in The Spiritual Espousals (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1985) 58-59.

When we combine kindness with generosity we enlighten the erring through our example and we bring healing wherever we go.

In practical terms, we get to “give affable [or friendly] responses and do all kinds of benevolent deeds for those who are quarrelsome.”

This is not easy. Frankly, it’s downright difficult. Furthermore, it’s the opposite of how our flesh and the world leads us to interact with such people.

When, however, with God’s power, we do this, we inherit the land and enjoy peace in a world filled with wounds, griefs, and bitterness.

Our lives shine like bright lights in dark places, and we radiate with beauty like this the sunset last evening in the header photo.

Father, make meekness, kindness, and generosity spring from our lives people, so that others may find light and life. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of is mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. Titus 3:3-8

“What could result from the contemplation of compassion so marvelous and so undeserved, favor so free and so well attested, kindness so unexpected, clemency so unconquerable, grace so amazing except that the soul should withdraw from all sinful affections, reject all that is inconsistent with God’s love, and yield herself wholly to heavenly things? No wonder is it that the Bride, moved by the perfume of these unctions, runs swiftly, all on fire with love, yet reckons herself as loving all too little in return for the Bridegroom’s love. And rightly, since it is no great matter that a little dust should be all consumed with love of that Majesty which loved her first and which revealed itself as wholly bent on saving her.”

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), French abbot and reformer among the Benedictine monks, in his classic work, On Loving God, excerpt from chapter 4.

Lent is drawing near. It’s the season when reflect on the kindness and generosity of Jesus Christ leading up to Easter. It begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year is on 6 March 2019. Each Lent, we adopt fresh patterns of fasting, praying, and giving to shape life after Easter in service to Christ.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to Titus, stated plainly that before experiencing the kindness of Christ, we were slaves to all kinds of nonsense. Since experiencing His marvelous love, we are free but must use that freedom with intentionality. We must devote ourselves to doing what is good.

Bernard, one of my favorite monks, would challenge us to fast from anything that is inconsistent with God’s love or that hinders us from yielding ourselves wholly to heavenly things. Contemplate the compassion of Christ and His favor so free. This propels us to doing good.

What will you fast from, give to, and pray for this Lent? Think about it. You have a week to decide. I am thinking about it too.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:6-10

“For God who is all goodness fills the soul in which He dwells with all goodness as far as our nature is capable of receiving it, because God is infinite and cannot be contained by any created nature…

So God who dwells in him teaches such a man about things to come and things present, not by word, but by action and experience and reality. As God removes the veil from the eyes of his mind He shows him what is His will and what is useful for him.

As for other matters, He persuades him not too be inquisitive about them or seek them or be curious about them, for he cannot boldly look into even the things that God reveals to him and shows him.

When he stoops low to inquire into the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God, he immediately becomes dizzy and is struck with amazement as he thinks of itself and who he is to be counted worthy to behold such things.

As he looks on the greatness of God’s loving kindness he is struck with amazement. He considers himself with all his soul to be unworthy of the vision of such goodness and…he is constrained by trembling, fear, and reverence.”

Symeon the New Theologian (929-1022) in The Discourses, trans. C.J. decatanzarn (Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1980) 190.

Notice the irony that Symeon brings out for us about the goodness and kindness of God toward us through Christ Jesus. It’s really unfathomable. We get a glimpse of it in Christ and yet we cannot comprehend the depths of it.

What is the significance of this for us as we seek to combine goodness and kindness? 

The deeper we get in our faith journey, the more God will reveal things to us that will stretch us. We may respond with trembling and fear. In those moments, we must resolve to trust in the goodness and kindness of God.

Jenni and I have returned safely home from an unbelievably fruitful trip. We arrive a bit weak and weary but also filled with deep gratitude God for His amazing kindness toward us even with the rigors of a very long journey and a full schedule.

Pause to thank God today for His goodness and kindness toward you. Despite any fears, lean into the reality that He’s blessed you to be a blessing. Now, go do the good works He’s prepared in advance for you to do with kindness.

Kind words bring life. Proverbs 15:4a

“If thou givest something to one who is poor, let gladness of face and kind words and encouragement for his suffering precede thy gift. When thou doest this, by thy gift the delight of his mind will be greater than the want of his body.”

Isaac of Nineveh (c. 613-700), a Christian bishop and theologian in Mystic Treatises by Isaac of Nineveh, trans. by A.J. Wensinck (Amsterdam: Uitgave der Koninklijke Akademie van Wetenschappeeen, 1923) 233.

Isaac connects kindness and generosity by exhorting us to smile and combine kind words and encouragement with our giving to those in need. This is great advice.

Often we can give resources, which may aid someone for a time. But, when we combine giving with a joy-filled countenance, kind words, and encouragement, we uplift the mind and hearts of those we bless.

Think of a time when someone extended such kindness and generosity to you. It really lifts your spirits, doesn’t it! That happened on the last day of this trip.

An Aussie couple who will remain unnamed expressed a desire to make a generous gift to Global Trust Partners to help the organization get going. What blessed me deeply were their kind and encouraging words that accompanied the gift. “We’re all in with you, Gary!”

Thank you Jesus for your provision for global ministry through this couple and so many others. Moreover, thanks for their “all in” encouragement. Bless them richly, Lord, for their kindness and generosity.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

“You, who have become blessed and most genuine lovers of this divine and blessed way, fight the good fight until you reach the end, clinging fast to those qualities that will assure your passage to love’s goal. I mean: love of humankind, brotherly and sisterly love, hospitality, love of the poor, compassion, mercy, humility, meekness, gentleness, patience, freedom from anger, long-suffering, perseverance, kindness, forbearance, goodwill, peace towards all.”

Maximus the Confessor (c. 580-662) Christian monk, theologian, and scholar in his letter “To John the Cubicularius.” A “Cubicularius” was a chamberlain of the imperial palace in the later Roman Empire and in the Byzantine Empire.

I chose this excerpt on the journey through church history looking at kindness and generosity because it is fitting for honoring my father, John (a.k.a. “Jack”) Hoag, today. It is his 80th birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad!

Maximus wanted this influential man and his colleagues to finish well and wrote this letter to encourage him. Likewise, I pray this post encourages my father (and all readers) to finish well and fight the good fight until the end. It’s a good fight because sometimes we get to be kind to the ungrateful and wicked as today’s Scripture notes. Of course, I pray that my dad’s end does not come soon as I won’t get to observe this milestone with him for about a month, but I pray he presses on with all these qualities, including kindness.

Our ministry in Australia has been fruitful, teaching 8 days in 3 cities: Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth. Now, thanks for your prayers for a safe trip home. We have departed from Perth, will overnight in Sydney, then fly to San Francisco and, if the Lord wills, get home Sunday afternoon in Denver.

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. Psalm 23:1-2

“The beginning of solitude is to throw off all noise as disturbing for the depth (of the soul). And the end of it is not to fear disturbances and to remain insusceptible to them. Though going out, yet without a word, he is kind and wholly a house of love. He is not easily moved to speech, nor is he moved to anger. The opposite of this is obvious. A solitary is he who strives to confine his incorporeal being within his bodily house, paradoxical as this is. The cat keeps hold of her mouse, and the thought of the solitary holds his spiritual mouse. Do not call this example rubbish; if you do, then you do not yet know what solitude means.”

John Climacus (579-649) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, Step 27.5-7 “On holy solitude of body and soul” trans. by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) 111.

Only those who throw off all noise find refreshment in solitude to live, give, serve, and love with kindness. Disturbances will happen and they must be welcomed with kindness.

The word picture of the cat and the mouse is absolutely priceless! If we represent the cat, solitude can get away from us, like the mouse, if we don’t hold tightly to it. It can also nourish us if we feed on it spiritually.

To nurture a life of kindness and generosity, add solitude to your life. That means you have to throw off noise. Perhaps make that your aim regarding fasting this Lent? Pray and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:9-10

“How kindness should be shown even to the idle and careless: Nevertheless, like a far-sighted and careful physician, he is not only anxious to heal the wounds of the sick, but gives suitable directions as well to the whole, that their health may be preserved continually, and says: “But be not ye weary in well doing:” ye who following us, i.e., our ways, copy the example given to you by imitating us in work, and do not follow their sloth and laziness: “Do not be weary in well doing;” i.e., do you likewise show kindness towards them if by chance they have failed to observe what we said. As then he was severe with those who were weak, for fear lest being enervated by laziness they might yield to restlessness and inquisitiveness, so he admonishes those who are in good health neither to restrain that kindness which the Lord’s command bids us show to the good and evil, even if some bad men will not turn to sound doctrine; nor to desist from doing good and encouraging them both by words of consolation and by rebuke as well as by ordinary kindness and civility.”

John Cassian (c. 360-435) in Institutes (The Twelve Book on the Institutes of the Coenobia and the Remedies for the Eight Principal Faults), Book 10 – The Spirit of Accide, chapter 15 – “How kindness should be shown even to the idle and careless.”

John Cassian is the Christian monk credited for bringing the spiritual practices of the desert fathers to the Western church. In his instructions for the coenobia (or the colony of Christ-followers he served), he suggests that the idle and careless be served with ordinary kindness. Great advice!

To be idle and careless is to lack intentionality in the care of your soul (your being), the filling of your mind with good things (your knowing) and intentional service (your doing). When we attend to these aspects of soul care and it seems like few others join us, we could be tempted to grow weary and give up.

Cassian would say that our kindness intersects with generosity when we are in good health and when we extend it to those who are not taking care of themselves with ordinary kindness. Our words to them might sound like consolation and other times rebuke, but they always seek to build them up.

How is your soul? Are you in good health? How about the souls of those around you?  The lesson for us today is to look inward at our own health before we look outward. When we look outward, we must put on kindness so that our interactions with others lift them up following the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in. Matthew 25:35

“Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He will say: “I was a stranger and you took Me in” (Matthew 25:35). And let due honor be shown to all, especially to those “of the household of the faith” (Galatians 6:10) and to wayfarers.

When, therefore, a guest is announced, let him be met by the superior and the brethren with every mark of charity. And let them first pray together, and then let them associate with one another in peace. This kiss of peace should not be given before a prayer hath first been said, on account of satanic deception. In the greeting let all humility be shown to the guests, whether coming or going; with the head bowed down or the whole body prostrate on the ground, let Christ be adored in them as He is also received.

When the guests have been received, let them be accompanied to prayer, and after that let the superior, or whom he shall bid, sit down with them. Let the divine law be read to the guest that he may be edified, after which let every kindness be shown him. Let the fast be broken by the superior in deference to the guest, unless, perchance, it be a day of solemn fast, which cannot be broken. Let the brethren, however, keep the customary fast.

Let the abbot pour the water on the guest’s hands, and let both the abbot and the whole brotherhood wash the feet of all the guests. When they have been washed, let them say this verse: “Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love.” (Psalm 48:9). Let the greatest care be taken, especially in the reception of the poor and travelers, because Christ is received more specially in them; whereas regard for the wealthy itself procureth them respect.”

Benedict of Nursia (480-547) Founder of Twelve Communities and Author of the Rule that governed them. This excerpt is from The Rule of St. Benedict 53.

When Jenni and I arrived in Perth yesterday, pictured above, Jeroen and Eva Bruins, board chair of PeaceWise welcomed us with “every kindness.” They drove us to King’s Park and the Botanic Gardens where we shot this header photo overlooking the CBD (Central Business District). They took us to dip our feet in the Indian Ocean, and they cooked us a delicious meal in their home.

It reminded me of the hospitality extended to the guests in the monastic communities, so I explored the Rule of St. Benedict this morning.

There’s a lot going on in the practices set forth in today’s post. In the Benedictine communities, they wanted everything they did to reflect charity. Also, they regularly practiced prayer and fasting. This helped them learn to set aside their own desires to serve God and others. They allowed those rhythms to be broken on ordinary days because that’s precisely the design of the practices, to teach them to extend hospitality.

What does all this have to do with us and the connection between kindness and generosity?

We cannot show every kindness and extend generosity without first realizing that all we have came to us because of God’s grace or charity. This positions us to be charitable. Thus, we are not only be openhanded with that which we possess, but we use our hands to serve others and even wash their feet. And, notice that serves flows from the top. It’s not the novices in the monastery washing the feet of guests. It’s the abbot.

Just like this kind board chair in Perth extended us every kindness upon our arrival, do the same for those who knock on your door. Need practice? We all do. That’s what the disciplines in the monastery were all about, and for us in modern times, that’s what Lent is all about. We train ourselves to fast from things, to give to thee needy, and to pray for others.

Start thinking about what your Lenten disciplines will be for this year as Lent begins on 6 March 2019.

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Romans 16:3-4

“In Ancyra Galatia it so happened that I was able to speak with a certain nobleman called Severianus and his wife, although I did not have any great intimacy with them. They placed all their good hope in a future life, to the disappointment of their children. They had four sons and two daughters, but they disbursed all the revenues of their estates among the needy, making no settlement upon any of them except in marriage settlements.

“It will all be yours after we are dead,” they said to the other children. “For as long as we are alive we shall save our surplus earnings and distribute them to churches, monasteries, guestmasters and to anyone who is needy. Their prayers will bring the reward of eternal life to us and you and our family in exchange for the labors of this present time.”

They also displayed notable virtue during a time of great famine when everyone was feeling hungry, for they opened up their storehouses on many of their estates and gave to the poor, with the result that many who were then heretics came back to the true faith. It was their otherwise inexplicable kindness which persuaded heretics to come back into agreement with the true faith, giving thanks to God for their simplicity and immense generosity.

They had another admirable practice. What they wore was very old and unpretentious, they were sparing in what they ate to a degree almost impossible to describe. They were simply content with enough necessary to support life. A wonderful devotion towards God went along with this. They spent most of their time in the country, avoiding the city and its vices, lest the excitement and confusion of city life draw them away from a truly joyful life and they should fall away from the commandments of God. All the good deeds and upright life of these blessed people helped them to keep their eyes fixed on the eternal rewards prepared for them by the glory of God.”

Severianus of Ancrya in Lausiac History (Historia Lausiaca) by Palladius Part 15) Chapter CXIV “The life of the blessed Severianus and his wife.”

When I read ancient vignettes like this one, it inspires me to share it with my wife and resolve to follow their example. What does it spur within you?

Some feel like the four sons and two daughters in the narrative. They were disappointed that mom and dad “disbursed all the revenues of their estates among the needy, making no settlement upon any of them except in marriage settlements.”

Candidly, as our son and daughter grow deeper in relationships that appear to be leading to marriage, some might say they would feel this way. I think if you asked them, however, they would say that with joy they have embraced the lifestyle of simplicity and generosity.

Why recount their story today? When “inexplicable kindness” intersects with generosity, there is no greater witness to the gospel. It even persuades “heretics to come back into agreement with the true faith.”