Many of us have faced the difficulty of overcoming the inertia of our bad health habits. We may go for a long time eating junk food and keep postponing a healthier lifestyle until we are shocked at the news of how much we have gained in weight. Eventually we become conscious of our situation and we make the necessary adjustments.

Something similar happens with our spiritual health. It becomes difficult to overcome the inertia. We keep falling into the same sins. We keep our same unhealthy attachments until we are shocked at the realization that maybe our eternal salvation could be at stake. Then we make the necessary adjustments. We get the courage to trust in God and surrender to him. Just like with physical exercise, at the beginning we fear that the changes we have to make will be overwhelmingly difficult. However, reality is different. In the case of our spiritual life, God will be more active than ever. He is going to do in us what we could never achieve for ourselves.

We are talking about infused contemplation. It is a bright light of love that God infuses in our soul. It is an in-depth purification of our souls. This is done completely by God without the need of any work from our part. It is a gift that God gives to those who have gone through the purification of their inordinate attachments as we described it in the purgative way. Many experts in spiritual theology would say that infused contemplation is the work that God does in souls that are more advanced in the work of detachments. Some, like Fr. Benedict Groeschel or Adolph Tanquery would place it in the later stages of the illuminative or the beginning of the unitive way.

The experience of this excess of light in a soul not ready enough to receive it is one of darkness. It is as if we were to stare at the sun. We would be blinded by the excess of light. According to St. John of the Cross, an expert in these matters, the inner experience is not that pretty. The dark night of the senses is experienced as the absence of the delights experienced in the illuminative way. The fact that we are not attracted by worldly desires at all is a sign that God is at work in a hidden way. It requires much trust, much perseverance. God is doing his hidden work. In the end, we come out with a much higher degree of confidence, heroism in the performance of our duties, inner wisdom and joy.

Then, another more profound infused contemplation then takes place. It is the dark night of the spirit. Again, God takes the lead to bring us to a greater union with him. It is the ecstasy of the love of God. Again, the initial exposure to the excess of light is darkness. The dark night of the spirit is experienced as the collapse of many of the securities that a feeling of faith gives us. Faith is going to become more spiritual, more solidified when it is purified by this excess of light from God.

In spiritual matters, God is going to do much more to come our way than what we do to reach out to him. Just like in the image of the prodigal son, he is coming out every day to see if the son is coming back. Then all of a sudden he sees at the distance that the son is approaching. He has gotten up and is retracing his steps back towards his father’s house. As soon as he sees him, the father runs and comes all the way down towards his son. He embraces him; he kisses him, gives him a ring. He restores his dignity. This is what God wants to do with us. We just need to overcome the inertia and take our first steps towards him.

Questions for pondering:

1. Am I willing to overcome the inertia of my sins? How can I get a shock that will help me take the first steps?

2. Do I really believe that infused contemplation is something God may desire for me?

3. Am I afraid of being purified by God? Do I trust he will sustain me?

Fr Lino Otero, LC:  Originally from Nicaragua, my family moved to Miami, Florida when I was a teenager. Soon afterwards I experienced the call to serve God without reservations. Since then, I have had experience in hospital ministry, working as a middle school teacher, leading a parish school, organizing soccer tournaments for kids, starting a radio station, training priests in leadership formation, organizing a parish community from maintenance to mission, and much more. I love spiritual direction and preaching. Years of philosophy, psychology and theological training have enriched my personal life and have shaped my message of hope. For more go to linootero.me