What do Christians mean when they use the word discipleship?
“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea — for they were fisherman. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”
– Mark 1:16-17
Fr. Goodrich preached this sermon online (via Zoom), based on Mark 1:14-20 to a live congregation of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Dubuque, Iowa.
Richard Rolle, was a 14th century English hermit, writer, and spiritual director. He was part of the “Golden Age of English Mysticism.” Scholars and theologians debate this notion of a golden age. They also debate the merits of the mystics usually associated with it.
These mystics being the anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Walter Hilton, Julian of Norwich, and Rolle. In terms of significance, Rolle is sometimes compared to Margery Kempe. A devout woman who lived into the 15th century.
Rolle shares commonalities with these other writers. It is his differences, especially his experiences of mystical warmth 🔥 and melody 🎵 that draw attention to him. His feast day in the Church of England is January 20.
Richard Rolle: Life and Writing
Rolle was born around 1300 in Thornton, Yorkshire, England. He had siblings. Rolle came from a family of means. He attended Oxford. Father James Walsh, S.J., writes,
“A young man of fiery temperament, who after a few years at Oxford and at home, one day resolutely turned away from what he called his sinful youth, ruthlessly cut himself off from his worldly environment and thenceforth, strove amidst difficulties and temptations towards union with God in solitary contemplation.”
– Pre-Reformation English Spirituality:
In monastic life, there is the eremitical life. The life of a solitary or hermit. There is the cenobitic life. The life of a monk in community. An interesting feature of medieval England was the popularity of the eremitical life. 🙏
Julian of Norwich is an example of the eremitical or solitary life. She lived in a monastic cell attached to St. Julian’s Church in Norwich. Julian was an anchorite. She remained in one place. Hermits, like Rolle, traveled from place to place. Both hermits and anchorites pursued the spiritual life.
Their goal was union with God. After becoming a hermit, Rolle wandered for a time. Eventually he established his hermitage near the Cistercian community of nuns at Hampole. Rolle wrote several books on the spiritual life in Latin and English.
The writing of theological works in English was new at the time. His most famous work is Incendium Amoris (The Fire of Love). He died around the year 1350.
Spiritual Practices and Teaching
Rolle’s made unique contributions to English mysticism. Yet, it is important to remember his commitment to the ordinary habits of the spiritual life. Rolle’s writings recount his own experience with these basics. Basics recommended by most spiritual directors of his time.
Basic practices such as reading, prayer, and meditation. Reading meaning the Bible. Prayer, meaning liturgical prayer as well as individual prayer. Rolle also wrote about deeper forms of prayer, sometimes called contemplative prayer.
Meditation meaning both imaginative and intellectual reflection on Scripture. Contemplative prayer and meditation are probably the least understood or practiced by Christians today.
In the Christian faith, meditation is not about clearing of the mind. Rather meditation is careful thinking about and pondering over a selection of Bible verses. Lectio Divina is an example of classic Christian meditation. Centering Prayer is probably the most well-known form of contemplative prayer today.
Rolle, like his fellow mystics, recommends that if we wish to encounter God more deeply we should practice Scriptural meditation. Also, we should aspire to and be willing to perspire spiritually 💪 to experience the gift of contemplative prayer.
Prayer can be hard work. Contemplative prayer for Rolle was entering into union with the Triune God. Rolle acknowledges that union is pursued by God’s grace over time.
Unusual Experiences
Rolle writes the following about his unusual experience of God’s presence:
“I was sitting in a chapel and, enjoying the sweetness of prayer and meditation, I suddenly felt in myself an unusual and pleasant warmth. At first I wondered where this came from, but after a prolonged experience of it, I realized that it had emanated not from a creature but from the Creator, for it became ever more ardent and more pleasant. This material and inexpressibly sweet warmth remained with me nine months and a few weeks, until the time when I received from above the gift of hearing the celestial melody.”
– Incendium Amoris
Rolle describes these sensations as fervor (burning), dulcor (sweetness), and canor (song). Rolle relates these signs with closeness to and union with God.
Visions and voices are not uncommon features of mystical writings. Most theologians are cautious about them. 🛑 We should not pursue God for the sake of special experiences but out of love. Also, many spiritual directors over the centuries have identified such sensations as belonging to the early and not later stages of prayer.
Regardless, Rolle’s experiences are helpful in reminding us that such phenomena can be part of Christian prayer. Should you experience something “spiritually unusual” the best course of action is to test it (1 John 4:1).
Ask yourself, “Lord, is this from you?” Does the experience motivate you to love God and neighbor more? If such experiences continue you would be wise to consult a trusted pastor or spiritual director.
Richard Rolle and Christians Today
Rolle is the “charismatic Christian” of the English mystics. 🕊 His experience of the power and presence of the Holy Spirit is similar in some ways to the experiences of millions of Pentecostal Christians throughout the world today. Bernard McGinn, the venerable and prolific scholar of mysticism writes:
“The theological message Rolle wants to convey has an important Christological dimension. The Word came in a body to save us not from our bodies and senses but in our bodies and senses.”
– The Varieties of Vernacular Mysticism
This physical, bodily experience of spirituality is a helpful corrective to some expressions of spirituality which seem to regard the body as little more than a nuisance.
Rolle’s writings are lyrical and poetic in style. His emphasis, like so much of the mystical tradition, is not on knowledge, but on love. He writes:
“A reasonable soul cannot be without love while it is in this life…for to love and to be loved is the sweet business of human life…if therefore you seek to be loved, love; for love demands its return”
– Incendium Amoris
For Rolle, love is pursued in seeking God above all things. Rolle’s writings and prayers are filled with references to the name of Jesus. In the Christian faith, Jesus is not only the example and teacher of love, but the way to Love and Love’s final destination.
This Gospel melody, the melody of love, is one we can all hear and sing, through our prayer and within our action. 🎵 🙏 🎬
In seekers and skeptics posts, I write specifically for those outside of the Christian faith. I know some will be considering the faith, some will be exploring spiritually, and some will come to any consideration of Christian claims with considerable suspicion. If this describes you at all, I’m glad you’re here. Welcome!
Exploring Christianity is a search for illumination, meaning, and truth. Christianity is a way of understanding the world. A way of understanding what life’s journey is all about. How best to make it and where to find the traps and the treasures.
When exploring Christianity, whether you are new or are returning to the faith, it is important to understand that Christianity, like most world religions, is about more than beliefs. The Anglican scholar, Dr. Alister McGrath, writes in one of his books:
“Christianity has three main elements. 1. A set of beliefs. 2. A set of values. 3. A way of life.”
– Christian Spirituality
If you are exploring Christianity seriously you will need to investigate all three elements. Some Christians do not like the word religion. They prefer to describe Christianity as a relationship, a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Other Christians are comfortable with the word religion because they understand religion to be in service to and enhancing of ones’ relationship with God and others.
In other words, spirituality and religion go together. Christianity is not a private exploratory quest – though it begins this way for many – but a quest that brings one into a fellowship with others.
Four Essentials for Exploring Christianity
Essential #1: Check Your Stereotypes
There are many stereotypes about Christians. Sure, you can probably find people who fit these stereotypes but this sort of thinking will be an obstacle to a fair and sincere exploration. For example, statements like, “all Christianity is anti-science,” fail on the face of the facts on the ground.
The scientist who led the human genome project is a Christian. There are large numbers of scientists and science practitioners who are devout Christians. Obviously, they are well educated scientifically, and some are also so religiously, and they find no conflict between the two. Many churches allow for a theistic evolutionary approach, some do not.
Honestly: Christianity is complex.
Whatever assumptions you bring about Christianity, check them against the facts on the ground. Local churches as well as denominations vary significantly on many points. You’ll be surprised how much in some cases.
Essential #2: Check Out a Local Congregation
If you are going to follow, be guided by, or look for inspiration from the historical figure of Jesus of Nazareth; then, from a Christian point of view, you need to connect with the people of Jesus.
There are some religions and spiritualities that advocate a solitary, do it on your own approach, but Christianity, while offering spacious room for individual conscience and practice, advocates a faith lived in community with others.
Yes. This can be hard! It also can be immensely rewarding and life transforming. Check out a variety of churches. Maybe a family member or friend is involved in a congregation. Start there. But, please, do not stop there.
Honestly: Congregations vary immensely!
Try out several churches. This will give you an appreciation for the wide variety of service styles, variations of beliefs, and cultural expressions of the faith. You might start with churches that share some of your current values and beliefs.
Essential #3: Acknowledge the Worst, but also the Best
Christianity is over 2000 years old. History has many examples of Christians misbehaving, of individuals using the Church for their own purposes, and of high-profile leaders acting in ways heinously contrary to Jesus’ two greatest commandments:
“Love God” and “Love Neighbor”
– Matthew 22:36-40
When judging any world religion or ideology it is only fair to judge it by its greatest exemplars and its worst offenders. So, sure, look at our dark history, but also look at all the good people of Christian faith have done over the last 2000 years and are still doing around the world today.
Honestly: I am so sorry if you have been hurt by the Church.
It breaks my heart when people tell me their negative experiences with Christians. Do I also hear wonderful stories of welcome and transformation? Often! Yet, every serious Christian is pained to hear the stories of those hurt or failed by the Church.
Essential #4: Consider the Claims of Jesus
Christianity’s understanding of God and human existence is rooted in the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus’ life and teachings have influenced countless individuals over the centuries. I believe that Jesus Christ has something to offer every single human being on the planet.
This includes human beings who for whatever reason choose not to become Christian. A first step to learning about Jesus is reading the Gospel of Mark. It is the shortest and simplest of the four books about Jesus’ life from the Bible. A second step to learning about Jesus is asking several Christians about their view of and relationship with Christ.
Honestly: The teachings of Jesus are challenging.
To put them into practice can be uncomfortable. Jesus’ high calling for humans to love, serve, and forgive each other sacrificially are things we Christians believe we can only do consistently with God’s help.
When exploring Christianity understand that doubts are ok, but always put as much effort toward faith as you do toward doubt. Go ahead and read the arguments against faith and following Christ. Then make sure to read the best of the Christian responses to those arguments.
Explore the faith through music and art, as well through books and sermons. Find Christians and others to discuss the great questions of life with. Do not be afraid to ask questions, even controversial ones, just ask them respectfully.
One Final Suggestion for Exploring Christianity
Finally, in your exploration of the Christian faith I encourage you to pray. Even if you are not sure how to pray or what to say, begin somewhere. Invite God into your life. For some the exploration of faith is intellectual, for others emotional, for others relational, and for most people, a mixture of all these things and more.
I share this prayer, sometimes attributed to St. Teresa of Avila from the 16th century, (but probably from a later time) as a blessing over you in your search:
“May today there be peace within. May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.”
May you journey well, may your explorations lead to truth, beauty, and goodness. May you find light for dark days, laughter for bright days, and always, peace.
After the wise men leave the Christmas story takes a dark turn, find out how.
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child to destroy him.”
– Matthew 2:13
Fr. Goodrich preached this sermon online (via Zoom), based on Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 to a live congregation of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Dubuque, Iowa.
