by Father John Mack
The correct order of things is that man is unified with God. But, because of the Fall, man finds himself in a world full of sorrow. The justice of God is to redeem man to be unified with Himself. But, how can man accomplish this? Is there a spiritual road map that is designed to help us navigate through the complex and confusing world in which we live?
In the sixth century, a monk named John (St. John Climacus or St. John the Ladder), living in the Egyptian desert, wrote a book outlining the stages of spiritual life. He based his entire work on the image of a ladder of thirty rungs, stretching from earth heaven. Each rung described a step in the pursuit of virtue and spiritual life. While the rungs of the ladder suggest a potential map towards unification with God, the author clarifies:
"The message is clear: In order to ascend to heaven, it is necessary for us to fix our eyes on Jesus.... We will never make it to God if we fix our eyes on the method, on the rungs of the ladder. This will only lead us to despair, and/or rigid legalism which will rob us of our joy."
In keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, we can experience His love, compassion, mercy, and forgiveness. This is our source of strength as we ascend the ladder, as we pick up our crosses and follow Him.
In a very real sense, this book tells it like it is, in kind of a tough love manner. While some of the realities that the book reveal are difficult to accept, the reader takes comfort in the security of knowing that what is being revealed is the joyous Truth.
Ascending the Heights is a highly recommended lenten reading.
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