What is “being in communion”?
Being a “homespun” person it is usually found necessary to cipher through things which are not understood within my head, by relating them to other things, which it is felt are better understood, until “the picture” is seen.
In this case it will be done (as usual) by looking at “other words” that are similar to the one in question. Then tie back in not only what similarities they have, but look for what it is that makes the “new word or phrase” different or so distinctive that it deserved to be a new word or phrase.
Some other words and some homespun definitions, reflecting similarities of the “base word” are as follows:
1). Community/(persons of the same heart) or (living by the same standards) Without having the same heart we can find ourselves residing within a close proximity of many other humans, but we are certainly NOT a member of the community, until which time we accept the standards by which that organized-authority conducts life .
2). Commute/ A. (persons regularly traveling together) or B. (a sentence or punishment, reduced or expiated)
2a). While “commuting” in our daily lives we may be alone going from point A to point B. Although we usually pass or come into contact with other humans during the process.
2b). For a Judicial Sentence to be “commuted” it takes an authority to distinguish “right from wrong”, as well as the acceptance of a society or community that the punishment due has been forgiven or altered.
3). Communal/(living in fully common proximity and ethics.) While much like “community”, this word insinuates a far closer relationship, where most “private” things are striped aside. If the “communal living” is under one roof, this closer resembles (when looked at in a negative sense) my understanding of a “cult” , or again, in a negative sense, resembling “communism” if looked at in the larger picture of a society. Then again (in a positive sense) this word describes the essence of a marriage, when two humans become one (in a spiritual and physical sense) and the offspring of that relationship join in the oneness of family. (at least throughout their formative years)
4).Communicate/ verbal interaction or that of body language. (link to this word defined prior)
5). Note to self *** Two words were seen within “the word”, which seem to “make the word” and will now be pondered on for a few weeks *** “Common” and “Union”… hence Comm union …Probably should have looked it up in a dictionary ..it maybe says something about that… Oooh well ..live and learn…
For me to really attempt to get a grip on this concept of Spiritual Communion with God, it must next be considered:
Who is The Triune God and how can Three separate “Persons” actually be One???… and or how can One independent “person’ actually be Three??? As well as: How can a person such as myself, communicate WITH any One (thereby all Three) and “commute” TO where ever They are and BECOME a part of Their “communal” “community”???
Hmmmm This all works best if pondered in earthly terms:…
It makes a certain kind of sense to me if looked at as a close knit Family …or Family Business… with each member putting forth all of their effort to not only make a continued success out of that business, but add too “the business” those things that only that family member can and at all times keeping in mind the betterment and welfare of the other family members and the community they share life with. Sharing not only in the financial gain which they all bring in – onto – and for each other, but moreover enjoying the closeness and Love natural to such a situation. (barbeques – ballgames – good times and bad )
For “outsiders” or customers to communicate with or purchase from or interact with (in a business or personal sense) such a Family Owned and Operated business … it is often found that … If you are dealing with any one member of the family … you are dealing with them all,. in that, they each have equal authority and trust each others judgments and will stand behind any and all “deals or promises made” by the other members of the family.
This “type of arrangement” is what me thinks Our Triune God has, and The Three separate Persons are so close that They truly are One…
In this “type of an earthly Family business” it is not unusual for someone from outside the family to become employed by “the business”, and work with The Family for so many years that they become accepted as, treated as, and truly become a member or extended member of that family and in far more than a “business sense”. Often times this person (or persons) are someone that up until coming into contact with such a unified communal group, had a real hard time “making it” socially or financially (and maybe even spiritually) in this world. In fact this is the type of “success story” that naturally touches the heart of any human that views the situation and admires the “New Life” obtained by “the New Family – Business Member”.
It is realized that any earthly explanation of such a wondrous and Holy Mystery as “The Hypostatic Union” and the methods by which They invite us to commute to “where They are Spiritually”, is a gazillion times of an understatement, let alone what it is “truly like for Them physically” in Their (and The Saints The have brought to Heaven) State of Eternal Bliss
Although this thought of “The Family Business”, allows me to relate to it all in a term understandable to my commoners mind.
It maybe could be explained mathematically. that when considering the “quantum mathematics of”, Thee Triune God, that the base line equation is as follows: <1/3 = 100%>
This sets me up to tackle the concept of “Spiritual Communion” as well as “Physical Communion” with Our Triune God.
Communion With The Father.
The Old Testament starts as a record of Gods desire, for man to live in communion with THEM. Although early on (in the Garden of Eden) it doesn’t take long for mankind to utilize the Loving Gift, of the same free will, which makes man so beautiful in Gods Eyes, as the tool by which the guarantee of happiness would be shattered.
The Old Testament is a record of Centuries of attempts by God (in three persons although seemingly “lead” by The Father) to mercifully tailor Laws, communicating direction too, His Chosen People in a fashion that would allow them to live life’s that were “in communion” with HIM. Seemingly an unquenchable pride continued to lead individuals and nations away from actually becoming “family members” in communion with God and kept them as “society members” at best.
In the New Testament The Bible is plum full of examples (Given by The Perfect Son) of just exactly how “adopted” (if you will) Brothers and Sisters should go about becoming in the habit (nay “The Way of life”) of actually being IN COMMUNION with His Father. Thereby being accepted as members of that Holy Family that was-is-and always will be bound together by The Spirit of Love which comes forth from The Perfect Union which They possess.
This privilege was paid for, and the Just punishments for mankind’s mutinies are “commuted” by The Son (in Justice too The Fathers’ decree to humanity from the beginning of time)
Furthermore, constant growth in continued knowledge of “communal self” is freely offered to each human, by The Father – Through The Son, via His Word. The apex of this, is at each Eucharistic opportunity, which is made possible by The Holy Ghost during each moment of our lives, via Him writing His infinite message “in our heart” and called into our conscious minds whenever the life and times of Jesus is told of – spoken of – read about – or seen in the life of a fellowman. This is made possible, only, by Our Father through His Mercy, His Compassion, (as long as time exists) and forever more by HIS LOVE with The Son and The Spirit.
Communion with The Son.
Once the transubstantiation of the Body-Blood-Soul-Divinity of Jesus has taken place, at the time of the consecration, at a Catholic Mass, just exactly Whom is present in the molecules of the Host and the Wine? (unseen by the eye but known by The Heart)
Is it Jesus??? YES, as His Word (The Bible) Says HE IS..
Is it Jesus Alone???… NO, He is-was-and always will be in (or have or possess, and this “is” the mystery) the “hypostatic union” with The Father and The Holy Ghost.
So at those times in our earthly lives that we are sure of heart (a Grace given by God) that we are poised (in a state of Grace, lest we should be found guilty of sinning) to receive The Eucharist, it IS Jesus we are receiving…although when we receive Jesus we are also receiving The Father and we are also receiving the Holy Ghost, and THIS is the fullest extent to which a human can receive God and Be received by God while in this finite realm, BECAUSE IT IS PHYSICAL (His Body IS FOOD INDEED) as well as Spiritual (His Words ARE SPIRIT AND LIFE).
Communion with The Holy Spirit.
At those times we are NOT poised to receive Jesus in The Physical Communion (The Eucharist) because of a shortcoming of our own, we are not only obligated by Love but foolhardy or blinded by pride if we overlook or refuse to accept the offer of The Triune God to Commune Spiritually via the beckoning of The Inklings of The Holy Ghost. This would seem to be in no way for Gods betterment, but solely – lovingly -mercifully – and compassionately for our own betterment. Calling us back to full – honest – open – complete – humility in uniting of our entire being to and with Jesus in a physical as well as a spiritual manner.
Spiritual Communion with Jesus would have to start out, just as it insinuates … “IN SPIRIT” .. in other words communing (communicating) with the Holy Spirit of the Triune God .. The Third Person .. in prayer and in heart and thereby (mentally) accepting the ways and means of The Spirit of God and with this comes The Union of Heart with Jesus as well as The Union the heart with The Father, so often spoken of by Our Savior, all of which must be, begotten in Spirit and recognized in Love, thereby putting such things into action.
Spiritual Communion would seem to be the natural (earthly means) of living within The Heavenly Realm (the Kingdom of God) or as close as possible to what was taking place in The Garden of Eden…and as close as possible (within this finite realm) to what IS taking place IN HEAVEN at this moment. (reckoned to be “The Communion of The Saints”, those in triumph in heaven as well as those yet on earth and those in Purgatory)
The type of “Spiritual Communion” that is being spoken of here is the natural progression of the activities brought about within Body-Mind-Soul of a human that ACTUALLY RECOGNIZES (or at least attempts too and is humble enough to allow The Father to do the rest) JESUS in The Eucharist as The Living Jesus (the Same Man that once walked this earth) but more so, The Same God that, Was before, and WAS in the beginning, as well as the Same God that IS NOW in His Kingdom and making the presence of Himself known (on a daily basis) as THE NEW MANNA for the Salvation of all mankind.
In Conclusion:
Spiritual Communion would seem to be much more than a Loving Grace:
“Spiritual Communion” is a viable part of The Triune Gods unveiling of His plan of salvation for mankind, and that which can be achieved by all humans, of high or low degree, and IS THAT LOVE which keeps all persons equal, that no man may boast.