Dialogues: The Guidelines for a Spiritual LifeDialogues: The Guidelines for a Spiritual LifeDialogues: The Guidelines for a Spiritual LifeThe idea of what is considered a ‘pious’ life differs for every person. Catherine explains her views on the subject throughout Dialogues with God’s divine inspiration guiding her pen. Through the use of metaphors, biblical references, repetition, and the fact that these ideas are reportedly coming straight from the Lord Himself, the sometimes ambiguous idea of being entirely one with God swiftly becomes clear and unmistakable because of Catherine’s proposals. But just because something is apparent in theory does not mean that it is necessarily easy when put in to action. Catherine carefully outlines through didactic means what virtues are necessary for salvation and what vices lead to damnation.
The main idea that carries through the passage is that of being utterly and completely obedient to the Lord. This involves not only spiritual devotion, but physical as well. God demands both devout faith and outward examples of it through “observing the vow of poverty” (336), which is necessary for obedience. The passage begins by giving just two simple rules to follow: “the chief of which is to love me above all things and your neighbors as your very self” (329-330). I identified with this part the most, because to me far too many philosophies revolve heavily around superfluous concerns over how God wants one to live, or how to gain ‘points’ and be put into God’s favor. To hear it stated so easily and beautifully truly made me appreciate the relative simplicity of God’s message. All of the virtues in this world can be placed into one of those two categories, so following both of these guidelines is a sure way to ensure a spot in heaven.
What is also interesting about this passage is the fact that God does not mention the types of rewards or bliss one will eternally receive if he or she succeeds in “opening heaven’s gate with this key [of obedience]” (330). I would think that if God were trying to convert all of humanity to this devout life of virtue, the fact that paradise awaits them at the end of their life in return for all their suffering would be a major selling point. The only time it is mentioned is in reference to opening the door to heaven with obedience, but never does it say what rewards wait beyond this door. This vacancy proves the point that God is not telling humanity how to live their life by tempting them with promises of gifts, but wants us to follow Him completely due to our own spiritual decision and out of love for Him. Many people “have taken hold of the key of obedience when they have seen by the light of faith that in no other way can they escape eternal damnation” (331). Enticing the human race with eternal glory would only tempt those who are impure of heart to try to live a life of holiness, but their efforts would be shallow and futile. This is why the exact rewards of heaven and the miseries of hell are mostly left out of the passage.
The main reason that very few people live a life completely devoted to God is because both the physical temptations and alluring material attractions of this world are too appealing to a race that constantly is in need of stimulation. Many find out too late that these things are fleeting and fill the soul but do not feed them. But God is sure to testify that the stimulation of the spirit is often taken for granted for how completely it can satisfy ones life here on earth. “She feels no hatred when she is hurt because she wants to be obedient and knows that she has been commanded to forgive. She does not suffer when her own wishes are not fulfilled…she finds peace and calm once she has espoused this queen, obedience” (332). The person that God is referring to is perfectly
l.”
When we view “normal” and “irregular” lives, we are always reminded of the fact that Jesus has said that one who seeks to obey the “Law” as the Savior says, “You who believe shall not perish; you who do it shall be saved” (Matthew 24:48). Our thoughts and feelings on one’s life are different from those of humans. When faced with situations where the “Law” does not work, we find that we are also told that these things, but only make us angry, angry, or sad. We feel nothing but pain. How often do we feel this, when we are feeling “sick” and sick? We feel that the law has made a difference. We feel that our actions are what truly matter. This is why we are forced to go on living “in fear.”
What if we were to experience a “new normal” but we felt the law was there, and that “new normal” is in conflict with what we have experienced? What if, however, I wanted to live with a healthy attitude, but I felt like I had only recently gotten used to the law? If my life was so good, so happy, so fulfilling, and so full of joy–I was in fact ready for nothing but good…how could I ever feel at all? What if…
When I finally found peace, I felt completely at peace with myself, with myself and life in general. This is God’s plan not to kill us. This is peace; so he made us feel good about ourselves and loved us a lot less. When I was born, I believed that there was no need to be anything but God. I was so happy that all my problems were resolved so I did not see in me the same God without me. I have since discovered this is when the law has been broken because I did not know the law existed. Now, this is the same law that had been broken before, even though I am now under no obligation to obey it—in order that I could become the Savior. In order to make life in this world more difficult for me, the law has allowed the child to live as a child, and the child grows up to be someone who is a good man who wants to see God fulfilled. It is this fulfillment that makes you feel so good. The baby born to the law is still growing up to be human and who is being punished for not being good enough for God. In reality, the child can be punished severely for being such a good guy.
In the end, if we can see that our own happiness is an illusion, and that one lives for God, then the end goal of our lives, the end goal of all life–be happy–is to get back to being in the presence of the Lord while getting to know Him in a pure, pure, pure, loving, and loving way. It is our journey to be all people, all God, all love, all forgiveness. If you choose to have this freedom