Friends in the Truth
Drinking their coffee slowly, savoring each sip of their drinks, the two men in their late 20s were enjoying their discussion about truth and God. One was of average height, slight of built, but not thin, with a strong wiry appearance, he might be an athlete. His sharp blue eyes spoke of intensity and commitment. Together with his athletic posture and the intensity in his eyes, his demeanor spoke of a vibrancy that could express itself in emotive, though controlled, outpourings. Yes, he must be intense, emotive, but in control of his very self. A woman might see in him a perfect lover….but he could not be used by her. Any relationship with him would require a careful, thoughtful handling. He might be a volcano, but one who could thoughtfully control himself. Yes, a lover, but one who could be had by only one.
The friend, who was sharing time with him, enjoying the coffee and conversation, was quite tall; he was overweight, but not fat. Possessing an unathletic posture, his slumped shoulders indicated that he may have spent many hours leaning on a desk reading books and writing detailed accounts of his thoughts about the contents of the books. His clear, contemplative brown eyes indicated a mind that paid attention to details and a willingness to question what he had read. The emotive explosive countenance in his friend was not to be found in him. He was a thinker, one who noticed every detail. He could be very aggressive and combative when he was challenged by a lazy pseudo thinker. No one could compete with is mental acuity. A woman might not be attracted to him. Yet he was also a lover. He and his friend, very different in so many ways, loved the same person…intensely so.
They both loved the same person, yet not in a competitive manner. They came to their love via different routes; one the mystic lover, the other the contemplative lover. Both loved with great intensity; they reached their state of loving through different avenues. Each loved the object of their affection without any qualification; there was no hesitation in their commitment to one loved. The mystic and the thinker had as the object of their love and devotion- Jesus Christ, God.
It is true that many people come to love God through very diverse paths. There is no one personality type that arrives at Jesus Christ, God. Jesus founded His Church to be the avenue to Him and His Father for all types of persons. He only asked for two things – Love for God and love of one’s neighbor .Additionally, He left man His Church as the teacher and guide for all generations.
Love of God and neighbor with a faithfulness to His Church’s teachings on faith and morals are the marks of all devoted Catholics. They are the basic, indispensable requirements to be Catholic. No compromises are allowed! The two friends, the mystic and the contemplative, shared this vision of faithfulness and love for Jesus and His Church.
Be faithful!