THECONSUMMATION OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

The wisdom of the fathers

THE CONSUMMATION OF THE INTERIOR LIFE

Most of those who have spoken on the interior way speak of its consummation in the next life. When I think of the next world in relationship to the interior life, I too, see an experience of the consummation of grace and glory. And, yes I see a completion of all increase and merit . . . the fruit and the recompense and the unclouded enjoyment of the truth of those things which are deep within us. But as to the interior life itself, I see that life completed in perfect proportion - and in final proportion - while still here in the present life.

After all, the interior life?begun?here - it begun with a redemption that is perfect in every sense. The?progress?of the interior life is?here, that hunger of always seeking after God is?here?(a hunger that avoids and flees from everything contrary to Him and is purified from everything contrary to Him).

The?end?of the interior life is also here on this earth. I would qualify that by saying that I speak of the?state?of rest, in God, has been the object of the soul's desire from the moment of its first seeking to know Him.

When I speak of the?completion, (that is maturity) of the interior life in this lifetime, it must be remembered that this does not impede further progress in God in the life to come. The state may be perfected here (that is as far as the?action?of the?creature?is concerned) but, of course, it is?truly?finished?only?in relationship to the perfecting hand of God.

...I see, then, a fully mature interior life in the same way. In the life to come we will, of course, enjoy a totally different perfection as the mortality put on immortality, and even the body becomes a spiritual entity.

Nonetheless, there is a maturity for here and now, for each part to be become complete and whole, for each part to be mature, and for all parts to be in harmony with all the other parts, thereby making a?whole?which is perfectly mature in growth, in proportion, in beauty and in harmony.

(from "Final Steps in Christian Maturity" by Madam Jeanne Guyon)