An Idea About Desire and God

On July 19, the Church of England celebrates the lesser festival of Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, and his sister Macrina, a Deaconess. These siblings (along with their brother, Basil of Ceasarea) were teachers and important leaders in the 4th century churches. Gregory of Nyssa was probably present at the Council of Constantinople in 381, which may have endorsed what we call the Nicene creed.

Gregory managed to do two things at once that have proved difficult for many in our more skeptical ages. Broadly, he was profoundly orthodox in terms of theology, and his writings helped to safeguard the doctrines of the church. And yet he was immensely creative, describing how doctrine (or belief) provides a fascinating view of what it means to be human. For example, Gregory really knew that each person experiences a range of wonderful yet conflicting desires. The trick, spiritually, is to get the heart and mind to focus upon God, our deepest desire and the only one who can refocus our desires upon what matters most.

The collect in Common Worship for Gregory and Macrina's festival reads,

Lord of eternity, creator of all things,
in your Son Jesus Christ you open for us the way to resurrection
that we may enjoy your bountiful goodness:
may we who celebrate your servants Gregory and Macrina
press onwards in faith to your boundless love
and ever wonder at the miracle of your presence among us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

One commentator notes that this prayer alludes to the fact that Gregory believed that ultimately all (even souls in hell and the devils) would return to God. Such a belief fascinates me for many reasons. Gregory really believed that God is the deepest desire for human beings and that perhaps not even hell itself can destroy that desire. This thought is good news for all of us who are moved by desire - not fear - to know God.