Unconditional offer of love and life

It was a long day of seminar last Saturday. we had a Catholic lay theologian from the Philippines to teach us on "Kingdom and vision of Jesus . Spirituality and theology and Revelation and faith". I was not at my best in terms of attention - the nagging menopausal gynae problem has recurred (and I have sought the Gynae's opinion today - more hormones to take!), but it was a day I am glad I did not miss.

What was most refreshing was the emphasis on God's unconditional offer of love and life in and through ordinary human experiences. The Judeo Christian tradition with its Scripture is in dynamic relationship with the real and often ordinary human experience of persons. I think it is a theology from 'below' more than a theology from 'above'. We are more used to theology from above where doctrines of our faith are the 'standards' and if our experiences do not fit in - then there is something wrong with us. The tradition is, as it were imposed on experience. This can lead to a skewed 'other worldly' faith that does not really take into consideration God's revelation in ordinary human experience. The other end of the spectrum - where 'experience' is everything is also skewed as it raises the human creature above and beyond our place in God's kingdom (some new age stuff goes too far this way).

But it was really refreshing to hear that "the ordinary is a habitat of God - not only the spectacular. After all, the Word became flesh in a baby - vulnerable and dependent on others. The 'hidden life' of Jesus - the first 30 years of his life, is a reminder of the value of the ordinary."

I came away feeling closer to God and drawn to him, than I often do from some theological seminars that downplay the place of human experience.

Experience is not the 'answer' but it is a good place to start asking ourselves what God is revealing through it. Even the not so good experiences, even when we fail and get angry or upset. Even when we feel feelings that are not right. When we allow ourselves to enter the experience (of course without acting out) we learn about ourselves, about our need for healing perhaps, and always about our need for God's grace.

Ignatian spirituality is a reflective one and does involve much reflection on 'experience'. I am drawn to this way of growth, and am thankful the Lord addresses me through such prayer disciplines.