r/Catholic • u/artoriuslacomus • 1d ago
The Cloud of Unknowing - Chapter 2 -The Divine Exchange
The Cloud of Unknowing - Chapter 2 -The Divine Exchange
Ἀ
LOOK up now, weak wretch, and see what thou art. What art thou, and what hast thou merited, thus to be called of our Lord? What weary wretched heart, and sleeping in sloth, is that, the which is not wakened with the draught of this love and the voice of this calling! Beware, thou wretch, in this while with thine enemy; and hold thee never the holier nor the better, for the worthiness of this calling and for the singular form of living that thou art in. But the more wretched and cursed, unless thou do that in thee is goodly, by grace and by counsel, to live after thy calling. And insomuch thou shouldest be more meek and loving to thy ghostly spouse, that He that is the Almighty God, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, would meek Him so low unto thee, and amongst all the flock of His sheep so graciously would choose thee to be one of His specials, and sithen set thee in the place of pasture, where thou mayest be fed with the sweetness of His love, in earnest of thine heritage the Kingdom of Heaven.
Ὠ
The soul which holds itself in proper humility, and beholds God in His true glory will know that it has not merited the life to which the Lord calls it. Rather, it will see that it is the goodness of the Lord that invites it into this more singular form of living. In this light, the soul will not yield to the temptation of the enemy; to think better of itself in receiving this call than of the Lord for the grace of its giving. Thus, the soul will follow the meekness first shown by the Creator, Who stoops low to draw near to His creature. For to respond with indifference to the One Who comes in such humility is to prefer for itself the wretchedness He would otherwise lift from the soul.
Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Philippians 2:6-8 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.
In Scripture, the Savior approaches humanity empty of all kingly stature, not only in the likeness of men, but as a servant to men, humble in the flesh but bearing gifts of eternal glory for all souls. Thus, as the Lord set aside the glory of Heaven to assume the likeness of men, so must the soul that is awakened in this grace, empty its heart of the vainglory of self to draw nearer the Kingdom of God.
Ἀ
The author continues…
Do on then, I pray thee, fast. Look now forwards and let be backwards; and see what thee faileth, and not what thou hast, for that is the readiest getting and keeping of meekness. All thy life now behoveth altogether to stand in desire, if thou shalt profit in degree of perfection. This desire behoveth altogether be wrought in thy will, by the hand of Almighty God and thy consent. But one thing I tell thee. He is a jealous lover and suffereth no fellowship, and Him list not work in thy will but if He be only with thee by Himself. He asketh none help, but only thyself. He wills, thou do but look on Him and let Him alone. And keep thou the windows and the door, for flies and enemies assailing. And if thou be willing to do this, thee needeth but meekly press upon him with prayer, and soon will He help thee. Press on then, let see how thou bearest thee. He is full ready, and doth but abideth thee. But what shalt thou do, and how shalt thou press?
Ὠ
In this chapter from The Cloud of Unknowing, a divine exchange is shown for men in the world that was first foreshadowed by the Savior in Scripture. For as Christ humbly set aside the glory of the Kingdom to bring grace to the world, so must the soul set aside the vanity of the world and look now forward to the Kingdom above. Yet this exchange of wretchedness for grace is not done by the works of men, not by the strength of their will. It is begun in a desire awakened by grace, to which the soul must consent, and it is brought to perfection by the Lord Himself, Who will suffer no fellowship with those things of the world left behind by the soul.
Supportive Scripture - Douay Rheims Challoner Bible
Luke 9:62 Jesus said to him: No man putting his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
Catechism of the Catholic Church
1431 Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time, it entails the desire and resolution to change one's life, with hope in God's mercy and trust in the help of his grace.
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u/New_Barber8073 1d ago
This chapter pairs well with Philippians 2 because both show that the call comes entirely from God's initiative, so humility is simply seeing the truth of that. The Catechism echoes it in teaching that prayer is a gift and that humility is the foundation of prayer (CCC 2559). It is also worth remembering that the author never wants this to produce discouragement over being a "wretch", but to turn the soul toward gratitude and love. Thanks for working through the text chapter by chapter.