This paper presents how the mystical life of the Polish mystic Sister Roberta Babiak began, developed and manifested itself. The author discusses the particular stages in her mystical life: from expurgation, through partial union, up to transforming deifying union. In this way, the author illustrates the dynamics of Sister Babiak’s faith and expounds its major functions: help to achieve deeper cognition of the redemptive truths; to get to know God Himself as well as to build communion with Him. The author also examines the attributes of this faith, emphasising the fact that it is ecclesiastical faith, shaped in the harmony with the ecclesiastical heritage and teaching. It is a light and a dark kind of faith, simultaneously: it grants a special gift for understanding the Revelation, but it also is an initiation into the mystery of the secret God. This is a living faith – rich in the gifts of the Holy Spirit – leading to the mystical experience: meeting God, Son and the Holy Spirit inside the mystic.
Artykuł bada, w jaki sposób średniowieczni mistycy krajów Beneluxu rozumieli udział człowieka w misterium paschalnym Chrystusa. Praca składa się z trzech części. Pierwsza wyjaśnia zagadnienie związane z tajemnicą udziału człowieka w misterium paschalnym Chrystusa. Druga ukazuje podstawę tego udziału na podstawie tekstów Jana Ruysbroecka, Beatrycze z Nazaretu, Hadewijch, Arnhem Mystical Sermons i autora Ewangelicznej Perły. Ostatnia część pokazuje sposoby udziału człowieka w misterium paschalnym Chrystusa według wskazanych wyżej tekstów.
EN
The article analyses the question of human participation in the paschal mystery of Christ in the understanding of medieval mystics of the Low Countries. The presentation consist of three parts. The first part explains the concept of the mystery of human participation in the paschal mystery of Christ, the second presents the foundations of human participation in the mystery of Christ on the basis of selected writings by John of Ruusbroec, Beatrice of Nazaret, Hadewijch, as well as Arnhem Mystical Sermons and The Evangelical Pearl. The last part explains the ways of human participation as conceived of in the above-mentioned medieval mystical works.
While metaphysics (Zubiri) and theology (Barth) approach God using notions, which derive from the experience of the world, mystics approach God through union with him (John of the Cross). Whereas in philosophy and theology mind plays the leading role, in mystics’ perspective it is will with its love, which dominates leading to the union with God. Love makes us somehow similar to God (connaturalitas Thomas Aquinas) therefore mind profits from love and its union with God. Mind abandoning notions opens up to the new knowledge scattering from God.
St. John of the Cross is a representative of the golden age of Spanish mysticism. He collaborated with St. Teresa of Avila in the reform of the Carmelite Order. Despite various obstacles, the loneliness and imprisonment of St. John created masterpieces of contemporary mystical literature, which has a timeless value. This article presents a scientific reflection on the outstanding and fundamental works of the Master, such as „The Way to Mount Carmel”, „Dark Night”, „Spiritual Song” and „Living Flame of Love”. The analysis and interpretation of each of the works of St. John of the Cross followed the following pattern: The meaning of spirituality in modern times according to St. John of the Cross. Therefore, the practical applications of selected proposals and experiences of the Grand Master are inspiring.
PL
Św. Jan od Krzyża to przedstawiciel złotego wieku mistyki hiszpańskiej. Współpracował ze św. Teresą z Ávili w dziele reformy zakonu karmelitańskiego. Pomimo różnych przeszkód, osamotnienia i uwięzienia św. Jan tworzył arcydzieła ówczesnej literatury mistycznej, która posiada ponadczasową wartość. W niniejszym artykule została podjęta naukowa refleksja nad wybitnymi i fundamentalnymi dziełami Mistrza, takimi jak: „Droga na Górę Karmel”, „Noc ciemna”, „Pieśń duchowa” i „Żywypłomień miłości”. Analiza i interpretacja każdego z dzieł św. Jana od Krzyża dokonywała się według pewnej tezy: Znaczenie duchowości w czasach współczesnych w odniesieniu do twórczości św. Jana od Krzyża. Inspirujące są zatem praktyczne aplikacje wybranych propozycji i doświadczeń Wielkiego Mistrza.
The subject of the present study are the pastoral exhortations contained in XL Homiliarum in Evangelia (“Homilies for Gospels”) by Pope Gregory the Great. 761 pastoral appeals have been studied. It has been found that the leading motif around which particular pastoral appeal focuses is the program of achieving Christian perfection realized by way of purification, enlightenment and unification with God. Pope Gregory the Great’s program of pastoral work is a program of achieving Christian perfection. It is characterized by integral formation. The priority of the program is spiritual- intellectual formation. Theo-centric, and not only Christo-centric direction of the program is very clear. In the whole program eschatological motifs play the leading and dominating role. The charity action is mainly directed to the needs and spiritual aid serving the salvation of the man. Saint Gregory’s program is characterized by the principle of moderation. In the light of the above reflections it can be said that St Gregory the Great’s program of pastoral work maintains timeless topicality in the Church.
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