The Seven Stages of Spiritual Transformation in the Acts of Paul & Thecla
Soul-Voice Meditation
The question for our soul-voice meditation for Stage Two is: what helps me remember that I am worthy of what my soul desires? You can meditate on this question in silence or using the guided audio meditation.
IN THIS SERMON
Stage Two is the shift in perception.
Some stories create a metamorphic shift in perception, a new way of seeing ourselves, our lives, and what we’ll do with the brief time we have here to live it. That’s the second stage; a new way of seeing what might be possible for us. As if a door opens that we never even noticed was there.
“A certain maiden, Thecla – whose mother was Theocleia and was promised in marriage to a man, Thamyris – sat at a window close to the house and listened night and day to the message about holiness spoken by Paul. She did not turn away from the window, but moved forward in faith, rejoicing exceedingly. And yet having seen many women and maidens coming to Paul, she also desired for herself to be deemed worthy, to stand face-to-face with Paul and hear the word of Christ.” (The Acts of Paul and Thecla – Chapter 7, Verse 1-2)
“So Thamyris said to Theocleia, ‘Where is my Thecla?’ And Theocleia said, ‘I have a strange story to tell you. Indeed, for three days and nights Thecla has not risen from the window – either to eat or drink – but gazes as if looking upon some enjoyable sight.” (The Acts of Paul and Thecla – Chapter 8, Verse 2-4)