Geert Grote came from a rich family. He studied from the age of fifteen in Paris for many years in what was a leisurely, priviliged lifestyle. He had a wide education in fine arts, theology, medicine and law, but was also interested in astrology and magic. In some ways he was a typical student – not completing his some of his subjects.
He had everything he could desire and he was willing to work hard. He enjoyed a good education, status, possessions – which meant that a promising future awaited him. And then, indeed, at the age of thirty, he was appointed as a professor.
He, however, had a religious experience which changed his life. In 1372 at the age of 32, he became very ill. In fact, he even asked for the last sacraments. The priest refused to give him absolution unless he burnt his books of magic. After this was done, his health was restored.
He gave up most of his possessions, withdrew to a monastery (but without becoming a monk or priest) where he spent three years, reading important theological works.
Then his life ran a course of its own and developed in a rather unexpected manner. He took to the streets with his simple message. Grote is best known for his intinerary preaching in the Netherlands. He worked with laypeople, stressing inner renewal which should be sought with honest passion. No big theology for him.
He seems also to have been reluctant to reflect on mysticism as union with God – as his mystical predecessors. Geert knew all about it, but it was the experience of faith, spirituality in its truest sense that he desired. His was the simple way of practical love. It was, however, not a sentimental love. Geert could use strong language – love, after all, should sometimes also be tough. But his praxis, his involvement in other peoples’ lives proves how much he cared for them.
And his method for the spiritual journey was simple: One should immerse yourself in the life of Christ and then seek to internalise this life in your own life. Two wonderful streams flow together: Interiorisation and praxis.
The response to this simple message was overwhelming. Many found his message so inspiring that they formed groups. Thus began the Brothers and Sisters of the Common Life. No offices, not big shots, no power struggles. Just and simply brothers and sisters who share their lives of faith.
Mystics are not alway popular (see my other blog on this). A mystic who attacks clerics for their wordly lifestyle can expect even less sympathy. And when Geert’s message began to spread like wildfire, the red lights were on. Thus, to no surprise, he was officially banned from preaching by jealous colleagues. He did not oppose the ban, even accepted that and urged his bitter followers to obey it too. It is not certin how long the ban was imposed, but what is clear is that the church authorities resented his popularity, his influence and his authority.
There are so many writings about Geert Grote – Thomas a Kempis wrote a beautiful biography. So why write about it here? Because in my own reading one particular, rather unknown fact came to the fore. Geert Grote was a reader of the Bible. His preaching was Biblical preaching (sometimes twice a day for three hours each!). Scripture was at the very heart of his life. He wanted people to read the Bible.
For him, though, it was not picking up a Bible and reading it – it was also a matter of having a reliable Bible. For this purpose he collected many Biblical manuscripts from churches and monasteries and started drawing up a reliable text. He compared manuscripts, weighed the different readings and selected those which offered the best readings.
Here one sees how his learning and erudition are linked with his faith. Learning, scholarship are not only useful, for the spirtual journey it is essential. Grote was not anti-intellectual. It was because of his influence as a researcher of the Biblical text that Thomas a Kempis had a special attachment with the Bible (cf. an earlier blog). Thomas followed Grote by also copying and writing out a Bible manuscript for his own use. Grote spent hours writing his own manuscript and impressed people with his end product, written in excellent calligraphy. Later on, universities in the Netherlands who contribute important scientific work on the text of the Bible in line with research begun by Grote.
A life of love? In 1383 the plague broke out in Europe. Geert Grote, fearlessly, visits the dying and the sick and nurse them. The following year the plague rages even more intensely. In August he becomes sick and dies shortly thereafter. Only 45 years old. A young man, but a key person in the history of Christianity.
We have no paintings / pictures of Groote, but this is what he wrote:
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