Workbook Review Question Answers

Lesson Thirteen

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1.  Why does the Lord “disregard the yearnings” of one who has reached the Prayer of Conforming Union? In other words, why does he hold us off when we so desperately desire union with him?

The Lord is teaching the soul that it’s not quite ready for Spiritual Marriage. Similar to how a bride and groom prepare for earthly marriage, there is still some preparation that needs to be done before our nuptial union with God can take place. In particular, the Lord declines to satisfy the soul’s yearnings in order to deepen its yearnings still more. Far from being a sign of his disinterest, God is teaching the soul that Transforming Union, the greatest of all blessings on this side of heaven, should be won at some cost to itself. Just as we sacrifice for those we love on earth, we’re more deeply learning to offer ourselves in sacrificial love to God.  

2.  Why do we say that “union with the Cross fully happens” in the Prayer of Conforming Union?

Because it is at this stage that we are fully joined to Christ’s sacrifice. Along with our Lord we cry out “My God, my God, why has Thou forsaken me?” In other words, we participate in the deep sense of loneliness and feeling of total abandonment experienced by Christ as he hung on the Cross. And while this deep interior suffering is certainly just that – suffering – it’s ecstatically delightful at the same time. Why? Because the soul comes to the full realization that there is nothing on earth that can provide satisfaction. All it desires is spousal union with the Lord and is more than willing to offer itself in sacrificial love to the Bridegroom. The interior pain we experience is the result of our incredible, insatiable longing for union with our Lord.

3.  What incredible mystical experience did both St. Teresa and St. Catherine of Siena experience at this stage of prayer?

They both received rings from Christ that signified that he had formally espoused himself to them.

4.   What are the two passages of Scripture mentioned in the video that describe our relationship with Christ in terms of Betrothal and Marriage? How do both passages underscore the importance of suffering love?

The video cited Ephesians 5:25–27 and Revelation 19:6-9. In the first passage, Saint Paul describes how Christ prepared his Bride for union with himself. It is when he “gave himself up” on the Cross in an act of sacrificial love that he won the grace to cleanse her from sin and sanctify her in holiness. In the second passage, which is at the end of the Bible, we see the consummation of history described as the wedding feast of the Lamb, a celebration of the Christ’s marital union with the Church. Again, the image of the “Lamb” – an animal offered in ritual sacrifice by the Israelites - points to sacrificial love as the basis of the spiritual marriage.