GREGORY OF NYSSA
In a recent conversation, a local friend of mine on a spiritual quest referred to several of the historic Christian mystics as people he deeply admired for being “tuned in.” His comment renewed my interest in studying the lives of various mystics and theologians. Yesterday I picked up a compilation of 52 well regarded figures from various ages. Today I read about Gregory of Nyssa (331-396 AD) whose greatest contribution seemed to come from his emphasis on continually striving after virtue. His emphasis on leaning into what is beyond agrees with my current thoughts about the message of Jesus being an invitation into the impossible. Or perhaps Gregory’s focus on straining toward what can be is a helpful defense of my relentless idealism and disatisfaction with what is. Below is a quote from his work, THE LIFE OF MOSES, that struck me:
““For in the case of those things which are good by nature, even if [people] of understanding were not able to attain everything, by attaining even a part they could yet gain a great deal.”
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“…the message of Jesus being an invitation into the impossible…”
thank you! i was beginning to believe that i’m alone in realizing that there’s NO WAY that i can live into what Jesus has called me to be. i just wish i could tap into the help i’ve been lead to believe that He offers when i choose His path. (or is that help just another of the many lies i’ve been told by the institutional church?)
peace!
Comment by Bill Hackett — June 20, 2007 @ 6:52 am