Jn 15:1–8
I am the true vine and my Father is the vinegrower. If any of my branches doesn’t bear fruit, he breaks it off; and he prunes every branch that does bear fruit, that it may bear even more fruit.
You are already made clean by the word I have spoken to you. Live in me as I live in you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself, but has to remain part of the vine; so neither can you, if you don’t remain in me.
I am the vine and you are the branches. As long as you remain in me and I in you, you bear much fruit; but apart from me you can do nothing. Whoever does not remain in me is thrown away, as they do with branches, and they wither. Then they are gathered and thrown into the fire and burned.
If you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask whatever you want, and it will be given to you. My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit: it is then that you become my disciples.
REFLECTION
Positive disintegration is expressive of multilevel inner conflicts between one’s ideals and values (what must be) and one’s internal and external life (what is). Kazimierz Dąbrowski’s, the main proponent of Theory of Positive Disintegration, sees psychological tension and anxiety as necessary for growth. These “disintegrative” processes are therefore seen as “positive,” whereas people who fail to go through positive disintegration may remain fixated in a state of “primary integration.” Advancing into the higher levels of development is premised on developmental potential, including overexcitabilities and above-average reactions to stimuli. (E. Mika) Briefly, TPD is searching within oneself and owning the obstacles to developmental growth. Oxymoronically, to ascend is to descend.
The question to be circumcised or not is disintegrative, if it hinders a person’s developmental growth. However, conflicts due to dissenting views can be a person’s means for maturity. Concerns about one’s physical needs and other anxieties must never be over and above God’s kingdom. Making God’s kingdom one’s second priority is disintegrative. It can be growth-productive, if set in the right order. “And seek not you what you shall eat, or what you shall drink, neither be you of doubtful mind.” (Lk 12:29; Mt 6:25-34)
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