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Document Details : Title: Spiritual Renewal in Jeremiah's Call Subtitle: A New Look at 'Uproot and Tear Down, Destroy and Demolish, Build and Plant' Author(s): WHELAN, Julia S. Journal: Studies in Spirituality Volume: 27 Date: 2017 Pages: 219-236 DOI: 10.2143/SIS.27.0.3254104 Abstract : The spiritual progression described by the Carmelites, especially St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, suggests a new avenue of insight into the call of Jeremiah (Jer 1:10). The three tasks of Jeremiah, to uproot and tear down, destroy and demolish, build and plant, can be seen to correspond to the spiritual development of the soul in the teaching of the Carmelites. Uprooting sin and tearing down sinful ways pertains to the purgative way of beginners. In the illuminative way, the very root of spiritual attachments to sin in the depths of the soul is, to use Jeremiah’s terms, destroyed and demolished. Finally, in the unitive way, the self is rebuilt and planted in the love of God. While these tasks of Jeremiah’s call describe judgmental aspects of his ministry, their goal is spiritual renewal of his people. God works on Jeremiah and through Jeremiah on the people of Israel to draw both into spiritual communion with Himself. |
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