October Virtual Workshop:

Divinization: The Purpose of the Spiritual Life

Presented by:  Fr. Jeremiah Shryrock, CFR

We are so blessed to have Fr. Jeremiah Shryrock, CFR with us to present our workshop for October.

The purpose of the spiritual life is not ultimately self-fulfillment, spiritual experiences, apostolic success, or even a particular vocation, but becoming transformed into the likeness of Christ. This transformation, traditionally called divinization, deification, or theosis, means that through grace we are invited to share in God’s own life and become “partakers of the divine nature.” The Incarnation reveals the astonishing depth of God’s desire: God did not simply come to rescue or forgive us, but to draw us into intimate union with Himself. Everything that happens in our lives—the beautiful and the painful, the successes and failures—can become an instrument of this transformation as we allow it to draw us closer to God. Our brokenness, weakness, and sinfulness do not prevent God from transforming us, as demonstrated in the lives of Peter and Paul; what matters is our willingness to receive God’s grace. And this transformation is never only for ourselves: the more Christ lives in us, the more His presence becomes visible and healing to the people and world around us.

Father’s teaching will include:

• The purpose of the spiritual life is divinization—sharing in God’s own life rather than simply achieving spiritual goals.
• We are not the center of the spiritual life; Christ is. Our lives are meant to revolve around Him rather than around our experiences, plans, accomplishments, or desires.
• Divinization means becoming partakers of the divine nature through grace. This is the Christian vocation proclaimed by Scripture, the Fathers of the Church, and the Catechism.
• The Incarnation is an invitation to union with God. Jesus became man not merely to save us from sin, but to bring us into God’s own life.
• Everything in our lives can contribute to our divinization. Even suffering, failure, weakness, and difficulty can draw us into deeper union with God.
• The question is not simply whether we are getting older, but whether Christ is becoming more visible in us. Like elderly married couple who gradually become more alike through
  sharing life, we become more like Christ through sharing our life with Him.
• Our weakness does not disqualify us. Peter and Paul demonstrate that sinfulness, weakness, and brokenness cannot prevent God’s transforming grace.
• Our divinization is ultimately for others. As Christ becomes more present in us, His healing and transforming presence becomes more visible in the world.

For more information, visit his website at: fatherjeremiah.com

Follow him on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/father_jeremiah/