If you tell a child, “We’re going to the beach tomorrow!” their immediate response is not, “Yeah . . . maybe. We’ll see. Did you even check the weather?” That’s the adult response.

The Christian of the future will be a mystic or . . . will not exist at all. KARL RAHNER

We cling to the belief that practical information is the way to salvation. But information is continually contradicted, undermined, laid waste—leaving us feeling fragile, vulnerable, and cynical.

The ordinary mystic, the friend of Jesus . . . Enjoys the palpable presence of Jesus, their Papa, and the Holy Spirit.ii Hears the voice of God in daily living. Is able to enter into an inner communion with Jesus, who dwells in their heart. Draws their life from God. Is not surprised by things like miracles breaking into everyday life.

Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendour! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness.2 There is something wonderfully childlike about this; they have one foot in nature and the other in the unseen part of God’s

A woman whose child was dying came before the gods to seek their help. “Please save my child,” she prayed. The gods responded by putting three boxes before her. “In one of these boxes is the cure to save your child’s life.” “The second will release famine in the land. The third will bring a curse on someone you do not know.” “Choose as best you can

They knew nothing of how sunlight on our skin produces vitamin D in our cells (do you really?). But they bared their skin to the sun anyways and rejoiced in God for his goodness. So Patrick prayed, I arise today Through the strength of heaven: Light of sun, Radiance of moon, Splendor of fire.1

The devil fears a soul in union with God as he fears God himself. SAINT JOHN OF THE CROSS

So when the fifteenth-century mystic Thomas à Kempis offers the following invitation, he is speaking of an experience that is completely accessible to every human being: WE ARE ASSURED THAT CHRIST NOW LIVES WITHIN US, WHICH MEANS THAT WE CAN ALSO EXPERIENCE HIS PRESENCE DEEP WITHIN OUR OWN BEING.