STRIVING UPWARDS
I shall never forget the remarkable words about truth spoken by the simple Himalayan mountaineer Tensing, the Sherpa who climbed Everest with [the New Zealander] Hillary. He said that we must approach mountains with reverence, and God in the same way. Indeed mountains demand a certain mindset in order to grasp their magnificence and their beauty. Truth lies hidden from people who rush at it without reverence, who set out unprepared, disregarding the dangers, precipices and crevasses.
It is the mark of human history to strive upwards. You may well object: think how many steps there have been leading downwards. Yes, of course; at first glance there are more steps leading downwards; more people who have fallen and rolled down into the abyss. But the important thing is that human beings have all the same kept attempting to climb to this summit above the clouds, and the greatness of humanity lies in the fact that people have the capacity to reach the peaks of intellectual and spiritual contemplation, to reach what Pushkin called "the neighborhood of God.
"Human beings have two countries, two homelands. One is our own country, that place where each of us was born and grew up. But the other is that hidden world of the spirit which the eye may not see and the ear may not hear but where, by our nature, we belong. We are children of the earth and at the same time visitors to it...and contact with God is possible...
Christ calls people to bring the divine ideal to reality.
Father Alexander Men
Christianity for the Twenty-first Century
lecture given September 8, 1990 - the night before he was murdered
Russian version published in 1992
English translation from:
Christianity for the Twenty-first Century: The Prophetic Writings of Fr. Alexander Men
Edited by Elizabeth Roberts and Ann Shukman
Pages 181,183 & 185 Continuum Publishing, New York - 1996
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2010-07-22
THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
Theosis, the transformation of the individual person into the closest possible union with God, is likely to occur towards the final stages of the spiritual journey. Repentance, on the other hand, is not only the initial stage of the spiritual journey, but also the path itself. It is the development of a way of repentance that most of us have the most to learn, and about which the Church has most to say. Repentance is a constant theme in the services of the church, in Holy Scripture, and in the teachings and discussions of the patristic authors. It is the first word of the Forerunner's message, and the last earthly act of the thief hanging on the cross beside the Savior. Repentance is the summary of prayer and sacrament, the act in which all human beings are beginners, all are equal.
Since everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God, repentance is one of the few genuine offerings that a person can make. Each person is free to make an offering of repentance to God, in return He agrees to participate in the transformation of that person.
It hardly needs to be said that in repentance it is the aim to change oneself, not to change the rest of the world or to change the mind of God...
It is not possible to repent on behalf of another person. Naturally, this makes the process [of repentance] very different from the expected behavior of individuals or groups of individuals (up to and including entire nations) that tend to set about solving problems by changing the rest of the world first...
It is God, not the individual, who is in charge. It is the individual, not God, who needs to change.
Father Meletios Webber
Steps of Transformation
Pages 93-94, Conciliar Press, Ben Lomond, California - 2003
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Theosis, the transformation of the individual person into the closest possible union with God, is likely to occur towards the final stages of the spiritual journey. Repentance, on the other hand, is not only the initial stage of the spiritual journey, but also the path itself. It is the development of a way of repentance that most of us have the most to learn, and about which the Church has most to say. Repentance is a constant theme in the services of the church, in Holy Scripture, and in the teachings and discussions of the patristic authors. It is the first word of the Forerunner's message, and the last earthly act of the thief hanging on the cross beside the Savior. Repentance is the summary of prayer and sacrament, the act in which all human beings are beginners, all are equal.
Since everything we have and everything we are is a gift from God, repentance is one of the few genuine offerings that a person can make. Each person is free to make an offering of repentance to God, in return He agrees to participate in the transformation of that person.
It hardly needs to be said that in repentance it is the aim to change oneself, not to change the rest of the world or to change the mind of God...
It is not possible to repent on behalf of another person. Naturally, this makes the process [of repentance] very different from the expected behavior of individuals or groups of individuals (up to and including entire nations) that tend to set about solving problems by changing the rest of the world first...
It is God, not the individual, who is in charge. It is the individual, not God, who needs to change.
Father Meletios Webber
Steps of Transformation
Pages 93-94, Conciliar Press, Ben Lomond, California - 2003
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SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
The spiritual struggle of a Christian has never been easy. He has to contend not only against the obvious temptations of the world and against the corruption in himself, not only "against flesh and blood, but against...the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12)
In addition to the decisive support which participation in the life of the Church offers him, he is comforted by the knowledge that there exists a "great cloud of witnesses," those who have already been through the same struggles and know how to advise and encourage people who follow their footsteps. The spiritual experience of numerous ascetics is contained is crystallized form in the writings of the Fathers. We can draw on their spiritual life, as is the case in our time.
Humble enjoyment of the teachings of the Fathers, whether in the monastic cell of an elder or through books, is a basic part of Orthodox [Christian] devotional life.
Archbishop Paul of Finland
The Faith We Hold
Page 26, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, New York - 1980
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The spiritual struggle of a Christian has never been easy. He has to contend not only against the obvious temptations of the world and against the corruption in himself, not only "against flesh and blood, but against...the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12)
In addition to the decisive support which participation in the life of the Church offers him, he is comforted by the knowledge that there exists a "great cloud of witnesses," those who have already been through the same struggles and know how to advise and encourage people who follow their footsteps. The spiritual experience of numerous ascetics is contained is crystallized form in the writings of the Fathers. We can draw on their spiritual life, as is the case in our time.
Humble enjoyment of the teachings of the Fathers, whether in the monastic cell of an elder or through books, is a basic part of Orthodox [Christian] devotional life.
Archbishop Paul of Finland
The Faith We Hold
Page 26, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, New York - 1980
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THE INDESCRIBABLE BALM
THE INDESCRIBABLE BALM
My Beloved, I thank you and praise God from all my heart for that Great Redeemer and Savior, Who is always compassionate with us, and does not deal with us according to our numerous sins, nor punishes us with respect to our trespasses.
I am very pleased that nothing in the world can trouble or upset me, for I take refuge in the impregnable fortress, inside the safe shelter. I am reassured in the bosom of His mercies. At all times, I have continuous flow of comfort and blessing.
The Lord's grace flutters its wings and casts away any trouble or sadness, and heals the heart with its indescribable balm. Oh, how sweet it is to feel this in your heart, as He eliminates the cares of the world. He helps to strengthen and speed man through his struggle. No one can withstand the trials without His care or power.
Our forefathers compared this Grace with a mother teaching her child to walk. She stands at a distance from him and when she feels that he is about to fall, she hurries to him, embraces him and wipes away every tear from his eyes. That is the way God's Grace deals with man.
Amid his struggles, God's Grace distances itself a little, to train him to walk in the path of virtue. But, when he is sad, troubled or discouraged, He hurries to comfort and encourage him.
How great and abundant are the mercies and blessings God gave man to enjoy. We pray and entreat God to always give us these blessings and keep us in His faith, and help us disregard worldly matters and concentrate on His blessings alone. He is capable of everything.
Saint Pope Kyrollos the Sixth
Christian Behavior
Pages 68-70, St. Mina Monastery Press, Cairo, Egypt - 2000
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My Beloved, I thank you and praise God from all my heart for that Great Redeemer and Savior, Who is always compassionate with us, and does not deal with us according to our numerous sins, nor punishes us with respect to our trespasses.
I am very pleased that nothing in the world can trouble or upset me, for I take refuge in the impregnable fortress, inside the safe shelter. I am reassured in the bosom of His mercies. At all times, I have continuous flow of comfort and blessing.
The Lord's grace flutters its wings and casts away any trouble or sadness, and heals the heart with its indescribable balm. Oh, how sweet it is to feel this in your heart, as He eliminates the cares of the world. He helps to strengthen and speed man through his struggle. No one can withstand the trials without His care or power.
Our forefathers compared this Grace with a mother teaching her child to walk. She stands at a distance from him and when she feels that he is about to fall, she hurries to him, embraces him and wipes away every tear from his eyes. That is the way God's Grace deals with man.
Amid his struggles, God's Grace distances itself a little, to train him to walk in the path of virtue. But, when he is sad, troubled or discouraged, He hurries to comfort and encourage him.
How great and abundant are the mercies and blessings God gave man to enjoy. We pray and entreat God to always give us these blessings and keep us in His faith, and help us disregard worldly matters and concentrate on His blessings alone. He is capable of everything.
Saint Pope Kyrollos the Sixth
Christian Behavior
Pages 68-70, St. Mina Monastery Press, Cairo, Egypt - 2000
021809
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MASTERY AND MYSTERY
MASTERY AND MYSTERY
In our relation to nature, we have to walk the precarious path and live in the difficult rhythm between mystery and mastery. It is not technology and theology or science and theology that need to be reconciled. It is rather these two attitudes - mastery and mystery - which have to be held in tension.
Our mastery of the universe is like the mastery of our bodies; it is not that we may have it for our own use, but that we may give nature, as our extended body, into the hands of the loving God in the great mystery of the eucharistic self-offering. This is the mystery of the cross. Christ gave himself, with humanity and nature, to God, in self-denying love, and thereby saved humanity and nature. It is in that eternal act of sacrifice and love that we too are called upon to participate.
Technology is the way of humanizing the world of matter in time-space, and thereby of extending the human body to envelop the whole universe. But that humanizing and extension, if it is to be salvific, must find its proper culmination in man's offering of himself and the universe to God in love. A secular technology of mastery of nature for oneself is the "original" sin, of dethroning God, and claiming mastery for the sake of indulging our own cupidity, avarice, and greed.
The mastery of nature must be held within the mystery of worship. Otherwise we lose both mastery and mystery.
Metropolitan Paulos Mar Gregorios
The Human Presence: Ecological Spirituality and the Age of the Spirit
Page 93, Amity House, New York 1987
First Published by the World Council of Churches 1978
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In our relation to nature, we have to walk the precarious path and live in the difficult rhythm between mystery and mastery. It is not technology and theology or science and theology that need to be reconciled. It is rather these two attitudes - mastery and mystery - which have to be held in tension.
Our mastery of the universe is like the mastery of our bodies; it is not that we may have it for our own use, but that we may give nature, as our extended body, into the hands of the loving God in the great mystery of the eucharistic self-offering. This is the mystery of the cross. Christ gave himself, with humanity and nature, to God, in self-denying love, and thereby saved humanity and nature. It is in that eternal act of sacrifice and love that we too are called upon to participate.
Technology is the way of humanizing the world of matter in time-space, and thereby of extending the human body to envelop the whole universe. But that humanizing and extension, if it is to be salvific, must find its proper culmination in man's offering of himself and the universe to God in love. A secular technology of mastery of nature for oneself is the "original" sin, of dethroning God, and claiming mastery for the sake of indulging our own cupidity, avarice, and greed.
The mastery of nature must be held within the mystery of worship. Otherwise we lose both mastery and mystery.
Metropolitan Paulos Mar Gregorios
The Human Presence: Ecological Spirituality and the Age of the Spirit
Page 93, Amity House, New York 1987
First Published by the World Council of Churches 1978
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2010-07-21
some thoughts on prayer
SOME THOUGHTS ON PRAYER
Prayer is not form, it is function.
It is not posture, it is relation.
However, proper posture and proper form give prayer more profound function and deeper relationship.
One cannot know this until one has made the effort.
We will put effort into how and when we pray only after an honest appraisal of our distance from God and our lack communication with Him during the activities of our day-to-day life. These problem in our relationship with God become evident in times of sorrow and struggle.
"Lord, teach us to pray" is a request that reveals the Lord's prayer in the scriptures. In Holy Qurbana (liturgy), the priest announces the congregation's willingness to be taught the fullness of the Lord's prayer, by asking God:
- to open our mouths and our lips
- to cleanse our bodies and our souls
- purify our hearts and our minds
- so that we may invoke Thee and Pray to Thee, saying:
Our Father...
Why do you bow down before the altar?
1. that is what in the book instructions (rubrics) - obedience
2. that is what I need to do for proper worship and prayer - humility
3. this is my proper position before God - honesty
4. I need to present myself before God for His mercy on us all - sacrifice
Humbly written and submitted by a servant for edification and spiritual development.
Fr John Brian
Holy Transfiguration Mission
Madison, Wisconsin
2010-06-19
RENEWAL AND DEIFICATION OF CREATION
RENEWAL
The Holy Spirit is the source of renewal par excellence. From the very beginning, and continuously, the Spirit renews the whole creation. The incarnation of the Son is the new creation. Christ is the head of the new creation and new humanity. However, the place and role of the Holy Spirit is not secondary in this event of 'new creation.' The Spirit is the Lord of all creation. The event of new creation becomes a living and present reality through the Holy Spirit. In the power of the Holy Spirit the 'new creation' enters into creation and puts it in a dynamic process of renewal. Humanity and creation re-establish their original relation with God.
The Holy Spirit as a source of renewal is one of the favorite themes of Orthodox liturgy. Here are two references taken from the Armenian liturgy [as quoted from Armenian Church Hymns published in 1980]:
"The Renewer...who with his grace renews the cosmos...and us from the sins of Adam."
"Today the heavenly were in joy because of the renewal of the earthly, because of the renewal of creatures; the Holy Spirit descended to the holy upper-room and by Him the apostles were renewed."
In fact, the renewal of the whole humankind as well as heaven and earth, anticipated in the Eucharistic epiclesis, is the eschatological goal of the whole creation.
DEIFICATION
The ultimate destiny of humanity and creation is deification (theosis). The human being is the representative of the cosmos, a 'microcosm.' Men and women are superior to the cosmos. The latter receives grace through them who are called by God to a supreme vocation: deification, to become by grace that which God is by His nature.
Grace is the transforming and deifying presence of God revealed and poured out by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit transforms us and makes us God-like. Deification is liberation from death. It is re-creation, 'being in Christ,' communion with God. The Holy Spirit leads humanity to Christ and through Him to the Father. Humanity is called also to transform the whole creation in the power of the Holy Spirit. The deification of the cosmos is the restoration of the original order.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia
The Challenge to be a Church in a Changing World
Pages 77-78, The Armenian Prelacy, New York 1997
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The Holy Spirit is the source of renewal par excellence. From the very beginning, and continuously, the Spirit renews the whole creation. The incarnation of the Son is the new creation. Christ is the head of the new creation and new humanity. However, the place and role of the Holy Spirit is not secondary in this event of 'new creation.' The Spirit is the Lord of all creation. The event of new creation becomes a living and present reality through the Holy Spirit. In the power of the Holy Spirit the 'new creation' enters into creation and puts it in a dynamic process of renewal. Humanity and creation re-establish their original relation with God.
The Holy Spirit as a source of renewal is one of the favorite themes of Orthodox liturgy. Here are two references taken from the Armenian liturgy [as quoted from Armenian Church Hymns published in 1980]:
"The Renewer...who with his grace renews the cosmos...and us from the sins of Adam."
"Today the heavenly were in joy because of the renewal of the earthly, because of the renewal of creatures; the Holy Spirit descended to the holy upper-room and by Him the apostles were renewed."
In fact, the renewal of the whole humankind as well as heaven and earth, anticipated in the Eucharistic epiclesis, is the eschatological goal of the whole creation.
DEIFICATION
The ultimate destiny of humanity and creation is deification (theosis). The human being is the representative of the cosmos, a 'microcosm.' Men and women are superior to the cosmos. The latter receives grace through them who are called by God to a supreme vocation: deification, to become by grace that which God is by His nature.
Grace is the transforming and deifying presence of God revealed and poured out by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit transforms us and makes us God-like. Deification is liberation from death. It is re-creation, 'being in Christ,' communion with God. The Holy Spirit leads humanity to Christ and through Him to the Father. Humanity is called also to transform the whole creation in the power of the Holy Spirit. The deification of the cosmos is the restoration of the original order.
His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of Cilicia
The Challenge to be a Church in a Changing World
Pages 77-78, The Armenian Prelacy, New York 1997
021109
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BRUSHING AGAINST GOD
One of the paradoxes of human existence is that there is nowhere God is not. Even though we naturally assume that He is more concerned with certain parts of our lives than with others, God is not nearly as restrictive as we are. One of the closest analogies I have come across is that God is fascinated with us - who we are and what we do. No detail of our lives is too small for His infinite interest.
We cannot brush against God without being changed. In the case of the woman who was healed when she touched Jesus surreptitiously in the crowd, the encounter with God changed her life. So it is with us. Every meeting with God, no matter how casual or seemingly insignificant, involves both judgment and transformation.
Father Meletios Webber
Steps of Transformation
Page 147, Conciliar Press, California 2003
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We cannot brush against God without being changed. In the case of the woman who was healed when she touched Jesus surreptitiously in the crowd, the encounter with God changed her life. So it is with us. Every meeting with God, no matter how casual or seemingly insignificant, involves both judgment and transformation.
Father Meletios Webber
Steps of Transformation
Page 147, Conciliar Press, California 2003
020609
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THE INNER KINGDOM
'Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God' (Matt. 5:8). Made in God's image, man is a mirror of the divine. He knows God by knowing himself: entering within himself, he sees God reflected in the purity of his own heart. The doctrine of man's creation according to the image means that within each person - within his or her truest and innermost self, often termed the 'deep heart' or 'ground of the soul' - there is a point of direct meeting and union with the Uncreated. 'The kingdom of God is within you' (Luke 17:21).
This quest for the inward kingdom is one of the master themes found throughout the writings of the Fathers. 'The greatest of all lessons,' says St. Clement of Alexandria, 'is to know oneself; for if someone knows himself, he will know God; and if he knows God, he will become like God.' St. Basil the Great writes: 'When the intellect is no longer dissipated among external things or dispersed across the world through the senses, it returns to itself; and by means of itself it ascends to the thought of God.' 'He who knows himself knows everything,' says St Isaac the Syrian; and elsewhere he writes:
"Be at peace with your own soul; then heaven and earth will be at peace with you. Enter eagerly into the treasure house that is within you, and so you will see the things that are in heaven; for there is but one single entry to them both. The ladder that leads to the kingdom is hidden within your soul. Flee from sin, dive into yourself, and in your soul you will discover the stairs by which to ascend."
Archimandrite (now Bishop) Kallistos Ware
The Orthodox Way pages 70-71
St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York
1st Paperback Edition 1979 (Revised since this edition in 1995)
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This quest for the inward kingdom is one of the master themes found throughout the writings of the Fathers. 'The greatest of all lessons,' says St. Clement of Alexandria, 'is to know oneself; for if someone knows himself, he will know God; and if he knows God, he will become like God.' St. Basil the Great writes: 'When the intellect is no longer dissipated among external things or dispersed across the world through the senses, it returns to itself; and by means of itself it ascends to the thought of God.' 'He who knows himself knows everything,' says St Isaac the Syrian; and elsewhere he writes:
"Be at peace with your own soul; then heaven and earth will be at peace with you. Enter eagerly into the treasure house that is within you, and so you will see the things that are in heaven; for there is but one single entry to them both. The ladder that leads to the kingdom is hidden within your soul. Flee from sin, dive into yourself, and in your soul you will discover the stairs by which to ascend."
Archimandrite (now Bishop) Kallistos Ware
The Orthodox Way pages 70-71
St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, New York
1st Paperback Edition 1979 (Revised since this edition in 1995)
020409
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Blessing of Candles
Here is a prayer for the blessing of candles:
O Lord Jesus Christ, the true light that illumines every man that comes into the world: Do Thou bestow Thy blessing upon these candles, and sanctify them with the light of Thy grace; that as they, kindles with visible fire, do dispel the shadows of night, so may also our hearts, lighted by the invisible flame of the Holy Spirit, cast out the darkness of sin; to the end that with the eye of a cleansed soul, we may see that which is well-pleasing to Thee and necessary for our salvation; so that having triumphed over the dark afflictions of this world we may at the last attain to the Light Everlasting: For Thou art our Savior, and to Thee do we ascribe glory, with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and forever. Amen.
In the preparation for Divine Liturgy (Holy Qurbana), prayers are said in greeting the altar, including prayers at lighting candles.
On the left (north side): O Jesus, full of light, in Your light we see light, for You are the true light that enlightens the whole creation. Enlighten us by Your glorious light, O Radiance of the heavenly Father.
On the right (south side): O Pure and Holy One, who dwells in the abodes of light, keep away from us evil passions and hateful thoughts; grant us purity of heart, so that we may do the deeds of righteousness.
From Orthodox Service Books in use in Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish, Madison, Wisconsin
020109
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O Lord Jesus Christ, the true light that illumines every man that comes into the world: Do Thou bestow Thy blessing upon these candles, and sanctify them with the light of Thy grace; that as they, kindles with visible fire, do dispel the shadows of night, so may also our hearts, lighted by the invisible flame of the Holy Spirit, cast out the darkness of sin; to the end that with the eye of a cleansed soul, we may see that which is well-pleasing to Thee and necessary for our salvation; so that having triumphed over the dark afflictions of this world we may at the last attain to the Light Everlasting: For Thou art our Savior, and to Thee do we ascribe glory, with Thine unoriginate Father, and Thine all holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit: now and ever and forever. Amen.
In the preparation for Divine Liturgy (Holy Qurbana), prayers are said in greeting the altar, including prayers at lighting candles.
On the left (north side): O Jesus, full of light, in Your light we see light, for You are the true light that enlightens the whole creation. Enlighten us by Your glorious light, O Radiance of the heavenly Father.
On the right (south side): O Pure and Holy One, who dwells in the abodes of light, keep away from us evil passions and hateful thoughts; grant us purity of heart, so that we may do the deeds of righteousness.
From Orthodox Service Books in use in Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Parish, Madison, Wisconsin
020109
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ALTARS OF KNOWING
Simon [of Taibutheh* in the 7th Century] speaks of three altars of knowing.
The first is the knowledge of works or the observance of the commandments, and the second, the knowledge of "theoria," the meditation on the mysteries of God which are hidden in every work of creation. As we have seen, the scriptures are able to enlighten us in these matters.
The third altar is the knowledge of hope, by which we draw near "the living altar which is Christ, our hope and our God." Just as Christ was united with the Word of God "inseparably and forever, so also the mind is united to Christ without any intermediary and forever; and it is on this altar that a man sanctifies, glorifies and praises at all times; and it is through it that he lives, moves, feeds, sleeps, and does everything without interruption."
...
The goal of all perfecton is communion with God at a level beyond human knowledge. This communion begins while one is still a novice and takes place in the meditation of the mind during prayer. The communion with God consists in thanks and gratitude offered to God in the inwardness of the mind, with a simple faith which has no doubt.
[*The term "Taibutheh" means "his grace" and refers to the fact that Simon claimed all things are accomplished by God's grace.]
Chorbishop Seely Beggiani
Introduction to Eastern Christian Spirituality: The Syriac Tradition
pages 87-88 & footnote page 112
University of Scranton Press 2001
013009
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HEALING LIFE, DEEPENING FAITH, ENRICHING PRACTICE, and REFRESHING SPIRIT http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
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The first is the knowledge of works or the observance of the commandments, and the second, the knowledge of "theoria," the meditation on the mysteries of God which are hidden in every work of creation. As we have seen, the scriptures are able to enlighten us in these matters.
The third altar is the knowledge of hope, by which we draw near "the living altar which is Christ, our hope and our God." Just as Christ was united with the Word of God "inseparably and forever, so also the mind is united to Christ without any intermediary and forever; and it is on this altar that a man sanctifies, glorifies and praises at all times; and it is through it that he lives, moves, feeds, sleeps, and does everything without interruption."
...
The goal of all perfecton is communion with God at a level beyond human knowledge. This communion begins while one is still a novice and takes place in the meditation of the mind during prayer. The communion with God consists in thanks and gratitude offered to God in the inwardness of the mind, with a simple faith which has no doubt.
[*The term "Taibutheh" means "his grace" and refers to the fact that Simon claimed all things are accomplished by God's grace.]
Chorbishop Seely Beggiani
Introduction to Eastern Christian Spirituality: The Syriac Tradition
pages 87-88 & footnote page 112
University of Scranton Press 2001
013009
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
"A Little Spiritual Help" is for
HEALING LIFE, DEEPENING FAITH, ENRICHING PRACTICE, and REFRESHING SPIRIT http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
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also on Facebook
2010-06-11
GOD WILL NEVER ABANDON
GOD WILL NEVER ABANDON
If anyone truly desires to do the will of God
with all their heart,
God will never abandon them
but will constantly guide them along the paths of His will.
If someone really sets their hearts on the will of God,
God will find even a little child to illuminate
so as to communicate His will to that person.
But if a person does not truly desire the will of God,
even if they were to go to a prophet,
God would put it into the heart of that prophet
to give a response comparable to the deceit
that was in the seeker's heart.
Dorotheos of Gaza, 5th Century (Discourse 5)
The Book of Mystical Chapters, page 69
translated by John Anthony McGuckin
Shambala Publications 2002
012809
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"A Little Spiritual Help" is for
HEALING LIFE, DEEPENING FAITH, ENRICHING PRACTICE, and REFRESHING SPIRIT
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
If anyone truly desires to do the will of God
with all their heart,
God will never abandon them
but will constantly guide them along the paths of His will.
If someone really sets their hearts on the will of God,
God will find even a little child to illuminate
so as to communicate His will to that person.
But if a person does not truly desire the will of God,
even if they were to go to a prophet,
God would put it into the heart of that prophet
to give a response comparable to the deceit
that was in the seeker's heart.
Dorotheos of Gaza, 5th Century (Discourse 5)
The Book of Mystical Chapters, page 69
translated by John Anthony McGuckin
Shambala Publications 2002
012809
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
"A Little Spiritual Help" is for
HEALING LIFE, DEEPENING FAITH, ENRICHING PRACTICE, and REFRESHING SPIRIT
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/spiritualhelp/
Subscribe: spiritualhelp-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
IN SMALL THINGS
I COME TO THEE IN SMALL THINGS
I come to thee, My child, in the very smallest things, in the humblest details. Each one of thy getsures can in itself become an expression of limitless Love.
Thou dost wash a plate. Thou dost dry it. Let these actions carry within them love towards all those who have eaten off this plate, toward all those who will eat off it.
A woman goes out of door. She goes to hang the washing on the line so it will dry. Does this rapid movement of service not remind thee of something? Those two arms, spread out for an instant, do they not make thee think of two other arms which were stretched out on sacred Wood?
Everything becomes sacred, if thy love transfigures it.
Love Himself is amongst us as He who serves.
Fr. Lev Gillet
In Thy Presence, page 43,SVS Press 1977
012309
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I come to thee, My child, in the very smallest things, in the humblest details. Each one of thy getsures can in itself become an expression of limitless Love.
Thou dost wash a plate. Thou dost dry it. Let these actions carry within them love towards all those who have eaten off this plate, toward all those who will eat off it.
A woman goes out of door. She goes to hang the washing on the line so it will dry. Does this rapid movement of service not remind thee of something? Those two arms, spread out for an instant, do they not make thee think of two other arms which were stretched out on sacred Wood?
Everything becomes sacred, if thy love transfigures it.
Love Himself is amongst us as He who serves.
Fr. Lev Gillet
In Thy Presence, page 43,SVS Press 1977
012309
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The Mercy of Differences
The Mercy of Differences
Maybe we have needed to be separated by languages and cultures and distances in order to spiritually develop into the divinity for which we have been created.
For in the struggles to understand, we learn empathy.
In the difficulties to tolerate differences, we learn mercy.
In the extraordinary encounter with those that are different than ourselves, we encounter a transcendent divinity that is greater than us all.
Fr John Brian Paprock
from key note address "Human Rights and Spiritual Development"
delivered at Wisconsin State Capitol December 10, 2008
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/12/human-rights-and-spiritual-development.html
012109
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"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
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Maybe we have needed to be separated by languages and cultures and distances in order to spiritually develop into the divinity for which we have been created.
For in the struggles to understand, we learn empathy.
In the difficulties to tolerate differences, we learn mercy.
In the extraordinary encounter with those that are different than ourselves, we encounter a transcendent divinity that is greater than us all.
Fr John Brian Paprock
from key note address "Human Rights and Spiritual Development"
delivered at Wisconsin State Capitol December 10, 2008
http://frjohbrian.blogspot.com/2008/12/human-rights-and-spiritual-development.html
012109
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"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
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15 Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.
15 Quotes from Martin Luther King, Jr.
1. We must have the faith that things will work out somehow, that God will make a way for us when there seems no way.
2. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
3. All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
4. An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
5. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
6. Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
7. Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.
8. Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
9. I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
10. Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
11. The time is always right to do what is right.
12. To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.
13. We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
14. We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
15. The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
From speeches and books during his public life in the 1960s http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html
011909
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
one way to support this effort is to buy books - check out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration
1. We must have the faith that things will work out somehow, that God will make a way for us when there seems no way.
2. Man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
3. All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.
4. An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
5. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
6. Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.
7. Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.
8. Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.
9. I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.
10. Peace is not merely a distant goal that we seek, but a means by which we arrive at that goal.
11. The time is always right to do what is right.
12. To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.
13. We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.
14. We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.
15. The quality, not the longevity, of one's life is what is important.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
From speeches and books during his public life in the 1960s http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/m/martin_luther_king_jr.html
011909
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
one way to support this effort is to buy books - check out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration
TEN POINTS ON PRAYER
TEN POINTS ON PRAYER
1. Prayer helps education to enhance truth, virtuous life, faith, reverence
and mutual respect.
2. One who prays to God Almighty daily will never be a liar, filthy mannered
or one without faith. He will not ill-treat his fellow men or superiors.
3. Prayer is the enthusiasm of childhood, the dependence of youth, and the
peace of old age.
4. Prayer with full heart will be accepted by God and it will be returned to
us as a symbol of blessings.
5. One, who loves his fellowmen, is a real devotee.
6. Because all that is created by God deserves love, many things beyond our
dreams are possible through prayer.
7. Pray to God loudly during the day and night alike.
8. These prayers will help us to remove the darkness in our lives, and to
take away the weakness among us.
9. These prayers are a means to achieve salvation and redemption, which are
the final goals in our lives.
10. So pray with hope and faith and worship God. Brethren, God will be
pleased with you.
Let there be the love of the Father, grace of the Son, and the fullness of
the Holy Spirit that gives peace among you forever and ever.
St. Gregorios of Parumala (India)
1870 speech in "Parumala Kochi Thirumeni" by Fr. E. J. Abraham
Translation by Jose Kurian Puliyeril as "St. Gregorios of Parumala"
2001, Puliyeril Publications, Kottayam
011609
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*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
one way to support this effort is to buy books - check out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration
1. Prayer helps education to enhance truth, virtuous life, faith, reverence
and mutual respect.
2. One who prays to God Almighty daily will never be a liar, filthy mannered
or one without faith. He will not ill-treat his fellow men or superiors.
3. Prayer is the enthusiasm of childhood, the dependence of youth, and the
peace of old age.
4. Prayer with full heart will be accepted by God and it will be returned to
us as a symbol of blessings.
5. One, who loves his fellowmen, is a real devotee.
6. Because all that is created by God deserves love, many things beyond our
dreams are possible through prayer.
7. Pray to God loudly during the day and night alike.
8. These prayers will help us to remove the darkness in our lives, and to
take away the weakness among us.
9. These prayers are a means to achieve salvation and redemption, which are
the final goals in our lives.
10. So pray with hope and faith and worship God. Brethren, God will be
pleased with you.
Let there be the love of the Father, grace of the Son, and the fullness of
the Holy Spirit that gives peace among you forever and ever.
St. Gregorios of Parumala (India)
1870 speech in "Parumala Kochi Thirumeni" by Fr. E. J. Abraham
Translation by Jose Kurian Puliyeril as "St. Gregorios of Parumala"
2001, Puliyeril Publications, Kottayam
011609
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
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2010-05-28
PRAYER AND GOD'S HELP
Prayer gives expression to our striving towards communion with God. This communion is the natural manifestation of our love for God and of God's love for us. Through the channel of prayer we "pour out our hearts before God," which is a Biblical expression meaning that in prayer we express to God our thoughts and feelings of praise, gratitude and worship.
However, prayer is not only a form of worship; it is also a means available to us for overcoming the evil that lodges in our inmost self. In this sense prayer is like a special line that carries man's cry for help to God.
Lord, have mercy! This is the cry for help that is repeated again and again in the service. It is also the individual's cry for help as he keeps watch at the door of his heart and cries out to the Lord to drive away the passions that creep in. This corporate and private cry for help arises from our sense of powerlessness; "Apart from me you can do nothing," the Lord says (Jn 15:5). But it is equally strongly based on our trust that the Lord wants to purify our hearts, if only we ask. We are branches of Christ the Vine, and each branch that strives to bear fruit the Lord "prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (Jn 15:2).
Thus God's help and our own prayers will save us from "the corruption that is in the world because of passion."
Archbishop Paul of Finland
The Faith We Hold, pg. 70
SVS Press 1980
011409
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However, prayer is not only a form of worship; it is also a means available to us for overcoming the evil that lodges in our inmost self. In this sense prayer is like a special line that carries man's cry for help to God.
Lord, have mercy! This is the cry for help that is repeated again and again in the service. It is also the individual's cry for help as he keeps watch at the door of his heart and cries out to the Lord to drive away the passions that creep in. This corporate and private cry for help arises from our sense of powerlessness; "Apart from me you can do nothing," the Lord says (Jn 15:5). But it is equally strongly based on our trust that the Lord wants to purify our hearts, if only we ask. We are branches of Christ the Vine, and each branch that strives to bear fruit the Lord "prunes, that it may bear more fruit" (Jn 15:2).
Thus God's help and our own prayers will save us from "the corruption that is in the world because of passion."
Archbishop Paul of Finland
The Faith We Hold, pg. 70
SVS Press 1980
011409
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
one way to support this effort is to buy books - "Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else" is the latest title - check it out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration or Amazon.com
God's love is always available
Fear arises from the absence of God's love in a person's life. Of course, God's love is always available to anyone who wishes to receive it. But many times, we ignore the hand that God lovingly holds out to comfort, encourage and guide us into his family circle. When we neglect or turn away from his love, worries, anxieties, and finally deep fears may grab hold of us.
Yet, when we open ourselves to God's love and let his compassion and concern for us fill our lives, fear fades and eventually disappears. As St John puts it in his First Epistle "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..."
Why does a lack of love cause us to be fearful? St John goes on to explain that fear is linked to punishment, while God's love through the sacrifice of his Son has removed the threat of ultimate punishment. Yet many times, we allow the power of God's love to slip away from us, and the dread of punishment to creep back in.
Sometimes, this happens because we disobey God in some way and, as a result, we develop a guilty conscience. There's a very deep sense within us that if we violate God's laws or step outside his will, something bad may happen. Some punishment may strike.
Some might argue that such feelings of guilt are unhealthy, and we should do everything in our power, through psychotherapy or any other means, to get rid of them. But I'm not so sure. I think that feelings of guilt, those prickings of a conscience that has been violated by certain improper or immoral acts, may be a very healthy thing. After all the rules of behavior that God has established in this world are not optional. The universe operates according to certain laws relating to our health, our sexuality, our personal morality, and our relationships. And there are likely to be consequences if we decide we won't follow these laws.
Still, I'm not one of those people who believes that God will routinely reach down from some seat in heaven and smack us if we step out of line. The way he operates is generally much more loving, subtle, and parental than that. More often, when we step outside of God's will and begin trying to live by our own wills, we'll get a sense that something is not quite right. Often, we may first experience anxiety; then, a wave of fear may sweep over us, as we wonder where our lives are going and what traps we may fall into...
God offers his love to us in a direct, warm, caring beam of divine light. His love streams directly from his heart to ours. All we need do is receive, in order to enjoy it fully and bask in its comforting rays. But for us to receive God's love in its fullness, we must have a genuine relationship with him in our innermost beings. It's essential that we in some sense be in union with him as a result of a decision to love, trust and follow his Son. Then, when we've established and developed such a relationship, we find that we, in turn, can become human channels for the great powerful agape love that we've received from God. We can return love to him, and we can also express this same love to others, in much the same way God has expressed it to us.
Archbishop Iakovos
Faith For A Lifetime: A Spiritual Journey, pp. 48,100-101 Doubleday 1988
010909
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*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
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Yet, when we open ourselves to God's love and let his compassion and concern for us fill our lives, fear fades and eventually disappears. As St John puts it in his First Epistle "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear..."
Why does a lack of love cause us to be fearful? St John goes on to explain that fear is linked to punishment, while God's love through the sacrifice of his Son has removed the threat of ultimate punishment. Yet many times, we allow the power of God's love to slip away from us, and the dread of punishment to creep back in.
Sometimes, this happens because we disobey God in some way and, as a result, we develop a guilty conscience. There's a very deep sense within us that if we violate God's laws or step outside his will, something bad may happen. Some punishment may strike.
Some might argue that such feelings of guilt are unhealthy, and we should do everything in our power, through psychotherapy or any other means, to get rid of them. But I'm not so sure. I think that feelings of guilt, those prickings of a conscience that has been violated by certain improper or immoral acts, may be a very healthy thing. After all the rules of behavior that God has established in this world are not optional. The universe operates according to certain laws relating to our health, our sexuality, our personal morality, and our relationships. And there are likely to be consequences if we decide we won't follow these laws.
Still, I'm not one of those people who believes that God will routinely reach down from some seat in heaven and smack us if we step out of line. The way he operates is generally much more loving, subtle, and parental than that. More often, when we step outside of God's will and begin trying to live by our own wills, we'll get a sense that something is not quite right. Often, we may first experience anxiety; then, a wave of fear may sweep over us, as we wonder where our lives are going and what traps we may fall into...
God offers his love to us in a direct, warm, caring beam of divine light. His love streams directly from his heart to ours. All we need do is receive, in order to enjoy it fully and bask in its comforting rays. But for us to receive God's love in its fullness, we must have a genuine relationship with him in our innermost beings. It's essential that we in some sense be in union with him as a result of a decision to love, trust and follow his Son. Then, when we've established and developed such a relationship, we find that we, in turn, can become human channels for the great powerful agape love that we've received from God. We can return love to him, and we can also express this same love to others, in much the same way God has expressed it to us.
Archbishop Iakovos
Faith For A Lifetime: A Spiritual Journey, pp. 48,100-101 Doubleday 1988
010909
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
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*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
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THE TRANSCENDENT
My child, I shall not leave thee in peace. I want to teach thee to transcend.
Take pleasure in all harmonious beauty. It is good. But thou must learn how to tear thyself away from it, so that what is sublime in it can be seen.
Do not blaspheme against intelligence, for I am both the origin and the summit of Thought. But I do not want thee chained for ever to the tedious discipline of reasoning. I wish to give thee vision.
Hold to obedience and to piety, qualities so many people make mock of these days. But I do not want thee to doze off into a comfortable morality or piety. I wish to inspire thee to sacrifice.
Thou dost realize the distance which lies between thy God and thyself. And it is right that thou shouldest. But be careful not to calculate that distance in order to keep to it strictly, adopting the stance that requires least effort.
My child, I wish to reveal to thee, day by day, God become man; thy Lord Love taking flesh, taking thy flesh.
It is assuming human nature, without any confusion, it is in becoming one of us without ever ceasing to be Himself that limitless Love supremely shatters all limits.
Fr. Lev Gillet
(page 39, In Thy Presence, SVS Press 1977)
010209
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
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Take pleasure in all harmonious beauty. It is good. But thou must learn how to tear thyself away from it, so that what is sublime in it can be seen.
Do not blaspheme against intelligence, for I am both the origin and the summit of Thought. But I do not want thee chained for ever to the tedious discipline of reasoning. I wish to give thee vision.
Hold to obedience and to piety, qualities so many people make mock of these days. But I do not want thee to doze off into a comfortable morality or piety. I wish to inspire thee to sacrifice.
Thou dost realize the distance which lies between thy God and thyself. And it is right that thou shouldest. But be careful not to calculate that distance in order to keep to it strictly, adopting the stance that requires least effort.
My child, I wish to reveal to thee, day by day, God become man; thy Lord Love taking flesh, taking thy flesh.
It is assuming human nature, without any confusion, it is in becoming one of us without ever ceasing to be Himself that limitless Love supremely shatters all limits.
Fr. Lev Gillet
(page 39, In Thy Presence, SVS Press 1977)
010209
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
one way to support this effort is to buy books - "Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else" is the latest title - check it out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration or Amazon.com
Love of Goodness
God's dealings with man are not limited to our legalistic ideas about reward and punishment. Salvation, which is the ultimate goal of Christian life, is not a "reward" but a gift freely given by God. We cannot "earn" or "merit" it by anything we do, no matter how pious or self-effacing we think ourselves.
In everyday life we naturally think that good deeds should be rewarded and crimes punished. But our God does not "punish" on the basis of human standards. He corrects and chastises us, just as a loving father corrects his erring children in order to show them the way. But this is not the same thing as being "sentenced" to a "term" of pain and suffering for some misdeed. Our God is not vindictive; He is at all times perfectly loving, and His justice has nothing to do with human legal standards.
He knows that we cannot come to Him without purity of heart, and He also knows that we cannot acquire this purity unless we are free from all things: free from attachments to money and property, free of passion and sin, and even detached from bodily health if that stands in between us and true freedom before God. He instructs us, through both revelation and correction, showing us how we may acquire this freedom, for 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' (John 8:32). As St. John Cassian teaches:
God "leads you on by a still higher step to that love which is free of fear. Through this you begin effortlessly and naturally to observe all those things you originally observed out of fear of God and punishment, but now you do them no longer from fear of punishment, but from love of Goodness itself, and delight in virtue." (Institutes)
Anonymous - The Teaching of the Fathers ON ILLNESS page 6-7,Nikodemos Orthodox Publications Society, 1986
010709
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"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
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one way to support this effort is to buy books - "Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else" is the latest title - check it out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration or Amazon.com
In everyday life we naturally think that good deeds should be rewarded and crimes punished. But our God does not "punish" on the basis of human standards. He corrects and chastises us, just as a loving father corrects his erring children in order to show them the way. But this is not the same thing as being "sentenced" to a "term" of pain and suffering for some misdeed. Our God is not vindictive; He is at all times perfectly loving, and His justice has nothing to do with human legal standards.
He knows that we cannot come to Him without purity of heart, and He also knows that we cannot acquire this purity unless we are free from all things: free from attachments to money and property, free of passion and sin, and even detached from bodily health if that stands in between us and true freedom before God. He instructs us, through both revelation and correction, showing us how we may acquire this freedom, for 'Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free' (John 8:32). As St. John Cassian teaches:
God "leads you on by a still higher step to that love which is free of fear. Through this you begin effortlessly and naturally to observe all those things you originally observed out of fear of God and punishment, but now you do them no longer from fear of punishment, but from love of Goodness itself, and delight in virtue." (Institutes)
Anonymous - The Teaching of the Fathers ON ILLNESS page 6-7,Nikodemos Orthodox Publications Society, 1986
010709
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+
"A Little Spiritual Help" is a group that is over a year old with over 1,000 members on Facebook. It is also a Yahoo group. This is an archival post.
*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
one way to support this effort is to buy books - "Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else" is the latest title - check it out at: http://www.lulu.com/transfiguration or Amazon.com
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