Mysticism, Liturgy & The Modern Christian

"Spirituality" is the new buzz word. People will say "oh I'm not religious, but I am spiritual". On one hand this is promising because it shows that people recognize the need for a "Higher Power" in their life. It is also dangerous because people are free to make up their own rules about what they believe, why they believe it, and how those beliefs will affect their behaviors.

There is a tradition within Christianity that gives room for such "spiritual" people to develop and grow their faith within the safety and shelter of orthodoxy. Mysticism is often a misunderstood - and therefore neglected- part of Christian faith. The Early Church Fathers, St. John of the Cross, Teresa of Avila, Thomas Merton, all were mystics. It is an expression not bound by time, gender, age or culture.

Mysticism in the Christian faith is not about secret knowledge (gnosticism), or about being a "better believer". Mysticism is about making a deliberate lifestyle oriented around the sole purpose of drawing nearer to, and deeper into, the heart of God.

This is where things like liturgy, ritual, and icons can be of great value. In higher church settings there is still room for the Mystery of God. There aren't the attempts to force explanations all the time. With some things God is just allowed to be God, and as finite beings Christians respect (and appreciate) that there are somethings about God that may never be understood. In liturgical traditions there is still room for mystery and mysticism.