Meister Eckhart gives us an idea that is so outrageous that it defies contemplation. It seems impossible and we may wonder what we are to do with it.
Eckhart believes we have the capacity to empty ourselves and to be a part of God. He thinks that "Without God we can do nothing" and "Without us God can do nothing".
He believes that we and God can be one. What are the implications of this line of thinking? What does it say about Original Sin? What does it say about the power of God and the omnipotence and omnipresence of God? Is God something separate from us or are we and God part of the same?
He writes, "The strongest prayer, one well-nigh almighty in what it can effect, and the most exalted work a man can do proceed from a pure heart. The more pure it is, the more prayerful, and the more exalted, useful, laudable, and perfect is its prayer and work. A pure heart is capable of anything.
What is a pure heart?
A pure heart is one that is unencumbered, unworried, uncommitted, and which does not want its own way about anything but which, rather, is submerged in the loving will of God, having denied self. Let a job be so inconsiderable, it will be raised in effectiveness and dimension by a pure heart.
We ought so to pray that every member and faculty, eyes, ears, mouth, heart, and the senses shall be directed to this end and never cease prayer until we attain with God to whom our prayers and attention are directed, namely, God."
How do we move from our self concern to liberate ourselves from ourselves and begin to see ourselves in God and to see God in us?
The sermon calls that into question. I will try to examine how we accomplish that.
How do we empty ourselves in order to be filled with God?
What do you think? If you have thoughts write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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