Maxim Monday: Total Union with God

For the understanding and the practice of the Maxims of Great Virtue, union with God is absolutely necessary … Therefore, work tirelessly towards the total union of your soul with God. Maxims of the Little Institute, 99

Yesterday we celebrated the Feast of “The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ” – formerly called “Corpus Christi.” I’ve selected part of Maxim 99 as a lens through which to reflect on this feast. Think about the liturgical hymns we sing that speak of Christ’s body: “We Are One Body,” “One Bread, One Body,” “One Is [the body]” just to name a few. Think of the many scripture passages that speak of being one body in Christ, having many parts but one body. Is this not the union with God of which Maxim 99 speaks?

The Constitution of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Boston states: Impelled toward realizing the union of ourselves and all people with God and one another, we engage in the mission of reconciliation wherever people are separated from one another. [Spirit and Purpose #7] Is this not the union of the soul with God that is nurtured through our participation in Eucharist?