This Ascension Sunday morning, I took my soul, spirit and prayer for a walk on the beach. I was filled with gratitude that there were no oil tar balls. It is so important to know where we are in our journey to Heaven.

Jesus gave us instructions before he ascended into heaven.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus ordered them. When they saw him, the worshiped, but they doubted. Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”

In the Carmelite tradition (St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila), there are five states of prayer. It is a journey that gets more intensified as we journey. Just like our blood goes into our hearts and pumps out to every part of our body, so does Jesus pump into our hearts and souls.

Unawakened Self: This is when we are unaware of our spiritual world and must depend on others for practically everything. We need the church to tell us how to pray and what to pray. This is the same as little children learning to eat at the table or be potty trained.

Awakened Self: This arises from a birth, a death, a marriage, a divorce, marveling at God’s wonderful world. I could also be from graduating, being fired, being hired or ordination. It is recognizing that things aren’t the same anymore…and might be much better. Jesus died. But now he lives. I can’t see him. Where is he? Ask the questions!

Purgative: This is just like purging. It is a time to decide to go into Lent. It is trying to detach from worldly things, not because they are bad, but because they are good. We seek something or someone better. People often believe they are in the Dark Night, but they are not. This purgative state is like trying to make the sacrifice to win a sports event, graduate from school or land a job. There are sacrifices we must make. We must purge and sacrifice if we want to have children, don’t we?

Illuminative: To me, this is like the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary. It is a time to be called by Jesus and walk with Jesus and eat with Jesus (including some wine!) It is the honeymoon. It is the celebration of family. It is being nourished by God with incredible beauty, music, touch and love. Everything is going well.

DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL: This isn’t a state, it is deeper. It is definitely not psychological depression. It is a time to walk by faith when it seems that God is not with us always until the end of time. I will go into this further in the future. Just know it exists. Most people put their big toe only into this….and back out. It is a time of great prayer although the prayer is empty. It is truly the narrow path. It is natural for all followers of Jesus to eventually go through…even if it is at the last breaths of life. I have seen that situation with Hospice.

Union: This is a time to rest or float with God. It is like resting in the afterglow of love.

It is a time without time. St. Augustine says it the best:

“You inspire us, O Lord, to delight in praising you, because you made us for yourself; our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

Now let us have St. Augustine inspire us to stop looking heavenward to Jesus ascending and get on with our journey through life. May we always focus our SOULS on our BELOVED God.

“Late have I loved you, O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.”

Have a most blessed week.

Love, joy, peace,

Father Ron Moses +….. On a journey!

www.tearinthedesert.com

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