Musings on the Spiritual Journey

Share this post
An Open Heart (and Mind) Like Teilhard
alandavey.substack.com

An Open Heart (and Mind) Like Teilhard

Eternal Discovery and Eternal Growth

Alan Davey
May 10
7
4
Share this post
An Open Heart (and Mind) Like Teilhard
alandavey.substack.com

Teilhard was a Catholic priest who was on the outs because of his radical understanding of the physical universe. He was banished to China by the religious establishment so he wouldn’t create confusion amongst the laity of God. With time he was allowed to return and ultimately took up residence in New York City where he loved to walk in Central Park.

One day while Teilhard was walking with a friend in the park he came across a colourful caterpillar on the trail. He got down on all fours, shoved his nose into the caterpillar’s face and ecstatically praised God for its magnificence! For Teilhard, God was worthy of vigorous exaltation, whether in The Holy See, Hebei Province in northern China, or via a tiny caterpillar in Central Park.

We don’t come to know God in one clean shot. God reveals himself to us over time. Bit by bit. Otherwise, we would be blown away by the magnitude of the task and of His Glory. Maybe that’s why Teilhard reminds us of this truth:

And let us remember this: God does not offer himself to our finite beings as a thing all complete and ready to be embraced. For us he is eternal discovery and eternal growth. (Teilhard de Chardin, The Divine Milieu)

Eternal discovery and growth—not accessible through a handy tract, the four spiritual laws, or a theological acronym. Rather, God reveals himself/herself to us gradually in a manner that our hearts, minds, emotions, and spirits can humanly receive.

May we “come to know him” (Ephesians 1:15-19), enjoying the mystery and the ride.

Thank you for reading Musings on the Spiritual Journey. This post is public so feel free to share it.

Share

4
Share this post
An Open Heart (and Mind) Like Teilhard
alandavey.substack.com
4 Comments

Create your profile

0 subscriptions will be displayed on your profile (edit)

Skip for now

Only paid subscribers can comment on this post

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in

Check your email

For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.

Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.

San Nolte
May 11Liked by Alan Davey

And somehow this feeds me. I just returned from a 1.5 hour visit with Betty Cullen. We chatted, prayed and walked a bit in Pelmo Park. God is so, so good! Even though we're not worthy.

Expand full comment
ReplyCollapse
author
Alan Davey
May 11Author

Chat, pray, and walk sounds like a fine afternoon in the sun.

Expand full comment
ReplyCollapse
2 more comments…
TopNewCommunity

No posts

Ready for more?

© 2022 Alan Davey
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Publish on Substack Get the app
Substack is the home for great writing