The Fathers and theologians distinguish three stages or states of perfection.
These are the states of beginners, the state of progress, and the state of the perfect.
These states are also designated "ways", because they are the ways of God by which souls are guided on the road to heaven according to the words of the Psalmist:
"He hath made His ways known to Moses:
His wills to the children of Israel" (Psalm 102:7).
Hence, we have the division of the spiritual life which has been adopted since the time of the Pseudo-Dionysius into the "purgative way", the "illuminative way", and the "unitive way". (See St. Thomas, II-II:183:4; Francisco Suárez, "De Religione", Tr. VIII, lib. I, c, xiii). St. Thomas well explains the reason for this division when he says:
The first duty which is incumbent on man is to give up sin and resist concupiscence, which are opposed to charity; this belongs to beginners, in whose hearts charity is to be nursed and cherished lest it be corrupted.
The second duty of man is to apply his energies chiefly to advance in virtue; this belongs to those who are making progress and who are principally concerned that charity may be increased and strengthened in them.
The third endeavor and pursuit of man should be to rest in God and enjoy Him; and this belongs to the perfect who desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.
http://newadvent.org/cathen/14254a.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment