MYSTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF AELRED OF RIEV AULX' DOCTRINE OF FRIENDSHIP  Cover Image

Mistyczne implikacje doktryny o przyjaźni Aelreda z Rivaulx
MYSTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF AELRED OF RIEV AULX' DOCTRINE OF FRIENDSHIP

Author(s): Ryszard Groń
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion
Published by: Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II - Wydział Teologii
Keywords: LOVE; FRIENDSHIP; PERFECTION; UNION; GOD; NEIGHBORS; CHRISTIAN MYSTIC

Summary/Abstract: Mystical implications and consequences of Aelred of Rievaulx' teaching on friendship result from irreplaceable presence of Jesus Christ and the unifying power of love, which leads friends to God, as its source and purpose, be ing itself the driving force behind them. Friendship is revealed here as a form of love, in which friends can together rejoice in God. As such it is a natural road of perfection, strengthened by the grace of caritas, whose ultimate stage is the unity of two hearts of friends in sweet love experienced by both of them, which the Abbott called the "mystical kiss of Christ". It is the ultimate level of closeness between friends and God, which on earth is ref1ected in the monastic kin d of friendship, however, it the face of a universal call of caritas, it is a preparation for universal brotherhood with God in heaven. Undoubtedly, thanks to friendship, human life gains light and sweetness and becomes a unique means of common tasting in God's love, started here on earth and consummated in eternity.

  • Issue Year: 2010
  • Issue No: 2 (57)
  • Page Range: 119-132
  • Page Count: 14
  • Language: Polish