Dialogues: The Guidelines for a Spiritual Life

Dialogues: The Guidelines for a Spiritual Life

The idea of what is considered a ‘pious’ life differs for every person. Catherine explains her views on the subject throughout Dialogues with God’s divine inspiration guiding her pen. Through the use of metaphors, biblical references, repetition, and the fact that these ideas are reportedly coming straight from the Lord Himself, the sometimes ambiguous idea of being entirely one with God swiftly becomes clear and unmistakable because of Catherine’s proposals. But just because something is apparent in theory does not mean that it is necessarily easy when put in to action. Catherine carefully outlines through didactic means what virtues are necessary for salvation and what vices lead to damnation.

The main idea that carries through the passage is that of being utterly and completely obedient to the Lord. This involves not only spiritual devotion, but physical as well. God demands both devout faith and outward examples of it through “observing the vow of poverty” (336), which is necessary for obedience. The passage begins by giving just two simple rules to follow: “the chief of which is to love me above all things and your neighbors as your very self” (329-330). I identified with this part the most, because to me far too many philosophies revolve heavily around superfluous concerns over how God wants one to live, or how to gain ‘points’ and be put into God’s favor. To hear it stated so easily and beautifully truly made me appreciate the relative simplicity of God’s message. All of the virtues in this world can be placed into one of those two categories, so following both of these guidelines is a sure way to ensure a spot in heaven. What is also interesting about this passage is the fact that God does not mention the types of rewards or bliss one will eternally receive if he or she succeeds in “opening heaven’s gate with this key [of obedience]” (330). I would think that if God were trying to convert all of humanity to this devout life of virtue, the fact that paradise awaits them at the end of their life in return for all their suffering would be a major selling point. The only time it is mentioned is in reference to opening the door to heaven with obedience, but never does it say what rewards wait beyond this door. This vacancy proves the point that God is not telling humanity how to live their life by tempting them with promises of gifts, but wants us to follow Him completely due to our own spiritual decision and out of love for Him. Many people “have taken hold of the key of obedience when they have seen by the light of faith that in no other way can they escape eternal damnation” (331). Enticing the human race with eternal glory would only tempt those who are impure of heart to try to live a life of holiness, but their efforts would be shallow and futile. This is why the exact rewards of heaven and the miseries of hell are mostly left out of the passage.

The main reason that very few people live a life completely devoted to God is because both the physical temptations and alluring material attractions of this world are too appealing to a race that constantly is in need of stimulation. Many find out too late that these things are fleeting and fill the soul but do not feed them. But God is sure to testify that the stimulation of the spirit is often taken for granted for how completely it can satisfy ones life here on earth. “She feels no hatred when she is hurt because she wants to be obedient and knows that she has been commanded to forgive. She does not suffer when her own wishes are not fulfilled…she finds peace and calm once she has espoused this queen, obedience” (332). The person that God is referring to is perfectly