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20040229
The Passion revisited...
Recently, I have received a number of emails and seen many articles concerning the movie the Passion. The 'jury' for the Orthodox side (at least those who I have received emails from) seems to say that the movie is terrible. (a few have even labeled it heretical, & Arian) I can't agree with those opinions at this point, I just haven't heard a good solid reason or argument supporting that side.
Mind you that the film does have flaws, and I as an Orthodox Christian, noticed a number of them. Chiefly, the down play of the resurrection goes against everything as an Orthodox Christian that I have ever been taught or told about the life of Christ. That is that the resurrection and the passion go hand in hand there is no separation of the two events. Now the movie obviously separated the two. But I knew this would be the case before the film was even released because it was written and directed by a Roman Catholic. (And a very staunch one at that.) I knew before I bought my ticket to see the movie that it was going to express a theology that was very contrary to my own. (Contrary to popular opinion Orthodox and Catholic theology are not the same. If I hear one more Orthodox person say, that the Catholics are like us I am going to retch.) I prepared myself in much the same way I do when I go to see any movie or watch any TV show. I am wondering however if part of the problem surrounding this movie doesn't deal with something else.
When I went to see this movie I wasn't surprised or shocked. Yes, I did get choked up during one scene and I shed tears but I was not surprised. Why? I read the Gospel, that is why! I am wondering if part of the reason people are so upset about this movie doesn't have so much to do with the point of view, as it is does with, for the first time people are realizing how violent the crucifixion of Christ really was. The Gospels are quite clear that this was not a day at the 'Ritz'. Forgive my glibness, but I mean if you read the Gospels this movie should not have been a surprise. And since we live the Gospels (or are supposed to) I won't buy the argument that visual media is more impacting. The J.R.R. Tolkien is my favorite fantasy author but I would have never given up the chance to read his trilogy before seeing the movies. The movies were great but the books were way better.
It should be the same with the Gospel but unfortunately I am beginning to think that isn't the case. It seems as though, everyone is jumping on the band wagon to blast this film, but as someone recently remarked to me the other day, "...it is a film not the Gospel itself...". I won't think of Mel Gibson's movie when I am in church and hear the Gospel being read; I will think of Christ! Christ is not a mythical character to me like Bilbo or Frodo Baggins. He is alive and has a very active role in my life. Hence when I hear the Gospels concerning Him they mean a great deal to me.
Another interesting component here is that people do not understand what it means to suffer in this day and age. This directly impacts our relationship Christ. Not on His part but on our part. We need to be able to understand our role to Christ. That being He is God, who overcame the beatings, the scourging, the nails, the cross, and died, overcoming DEATH ITSELF, RISING FROM THE DEAD for our sakes. If we as Orthodox don't separate the suffering passion and the resurrection (and we don't) then we need to understand all of the above. When we don't understand all of the above is where problems arise.
I think what Mel Gibson's film has sparked is a certain type of revelation for people. With that revelation comes a big WOW! I mean these people putting down the film are also the same people who partake in ecumenical prayer services and other types of meetings. Yet there is no problem attending those. Does anyone else see a problem here!?? {I don't have a problem with dialogue, but things have gone way beyond dialogue in the church today. Not to mention the fact that it in my opinion, the Orthodox church has lost more people from these ecumenical "dialogues" than it has ever gained. Why don't these Orthodox people putting down this movie speak out against that ? Don't hold your breath for an answer.} This topic is really interesting to me and I do believe that I have a great deal to learn form all of this. Hence the reason why I have spent so much time and effort in this post.
I am not perfect and you will never hear me claim to be. So if I have made errors in the statements above please forgive me and by all means point them out. I get very nervous though when people focus so much attention on something is a non-issue. It usually means they are trying to hide something...like ignorance of the Gospels and the life of Christ for example.
Let me know what you think, click comment to leave remarks...
Mind you that the film does have flaws, and I as an Orthodox Christian, noticed a number of them. Chiefly, the down play of the resurrection goes against everything as an Orthodox Christian that I have ever been taught or told about the life of Christ. That is that the resurrection and the passion go hand in hand there is no separation of the two events. Now the movie obviously separated the two. But I knew this would be the case before the film was even released because it was written and directed by a Roman Catholic. (And a very staunch one at that.) I knew before I bought my ticket to see the movie that it was going to express a theology that was very contrary to my own. (Contrary to popular opinion Orthodox and Catholic theology are not the same. If I hear one more Orthodox person say, that the Catholics are like us I am going to retch.) I prepared myself in much the same way I do when I go to see any movie or watch any TV show. I am wondering however if part of the problem surrounding this movie doesn't deal with something else.
When I went to see this movie I wasn't surprised or shocked. Yes, I did get choked up during one scene and I shed tears but I was not surprised. Why? I read the Gospel, that is why! I am wondering if part of the reason people are so upset about this movie doesn't have so much to do with the point of view, as it is does with, for the first time people are realizing how violent the crucifixion of Christ really was. The Gospels are quite clear that this was not a day at the 'Ritz'. Forgive my glibness, but I mean if you read the Gospels this movie should not have been a surprise. And since we live the Gospels (or are supposed to) I won't buy the argument that visual media is more impacting. The J.R.R. Tolkien is my favorite fantasy author but I would have never given up the chance to read his trilogy before seeing the movies. The movies were great but the books were way better.
It should be the same with the Gospel but unfortunately I am beginning to think that isn't the case. It seems as though, everyone is jumping on the band wagon to blast this film, but as someone recently remarked to me the other day, "...it is a film not the Gospel itself...". I won't think of Mel Gibson's movie when I am in church and hear the Gospel being read; I will think of Christ! Christ is not a mythical character to me like Bilbo or Frodo Baggins. He is alive and has a very active role in my life. Hence when I hear the Gospels concerning Him they mean a great deal to me.
Another interesting component here is that people do not understand what it means to suffer in this day and age. This directly impacts our relationship Christ. Not on His part but on our part. We need to be able to understand our role to Christ. That being He is God, who overcame the beatings, the scourging, the nails, the cross, and died, overcoming DEATH ITSELF, RISING FROM THE DEAD for our sakes. If we as Orthodox don't separate the suffering passion and the resurrection (and we don't) then we need to understand all of the above. When we don't understand all of the above is where problems arise.
I think what Mel Gibson's film has sparked is a certain type of revelation for people. With that revelation comes a big WOW! I mean these people putting down the film are also the same people who partake in ecumenical prayer services and other types of meetings. Yet there is no problem attending those. Does anyone else see a problem here!?? {I don't have a problem with dialogue, but things have gone way beyond dialogue in the church today. Not to mention the fact that it in my opinion, the Orthodox church has lost more people from these ecumenical "dialogues" than it has ever gained. Why don't these Orthodox people putting down this movie speak out against that ? Don't hold your breath for an answer.} This topic is really interesting to me and I do believe that I have a great deal to learn form all of this. Hence the reason why I have spent so much time and effort in this post.
I am not perfect and you will never hear me claim to be. So if I have made errors in the statements above please forgive me and by all means point them out. I get very nervous though when people focus so much attention on something is a non-issue. It usually means they are trying to hide something...like ignorance of the Gospels and the life of Christ for example.
Let me know what you think, click comment to leave remarks...
St. Mary of Egpyt...
And the story continues, part II...
...After crossing the Jordan, they all scattered far and wide in different directions. And this was the rule of life they had, and which they all observed -- neither to talk to one another, nor to know how each one lived and fasted. If they did happen to catch sight of one another, they went to another part of the country, living alone and always singing to God, and at a definite time eating a very small quantity of food. In this way they spent the whole of the fast and used to return to the monastery a week before the Resurrection of Christ, on Palm Sunday. Each one returned having his own conscience as the witness of his labor, and no one asked another how he had spent his time in the desert. Such were rules of the monastery. Every one of them whilst in the desert struggled with himself before the Judge of the struggle -- God -- not seeking to please men and fast before the eyes of all. For what is done for the sake of men, to win praise and honour, is not only useless to the one who does it but sometimes the cause of great punishment.
Zosimas did the same as all. And he went far, far into the desert with a secret hope of finding some father who might be living there and who might be able to satisfy his thirst and longing. And he wandered on tireless, as if hurrying on to some definite place. He had already walked for 20 days and when the 6th hour came he stopped and, turning to the East, he began to sing the sixth Hour and recite the customary prayers. He used to break his journey thus at fixed hours of the day to rest a little, to chant psalms standing and to pray on bent knees.
And as he sang thus without turning his eyes from the heavens, he suddenly saw to the right of the hillock on which he stood the semblance of a human body. At first he was confused thinking he beheld a vision of the devil, and even started with fear. But, having guarded himself with the sign of the Cross and banished all fear, he turned his gaze in that direction and in truth saw some form gliding southwards. It was naked, the skin dark as if burned up by the heat of the sun; the hair on its head was white as a fleece, and not long, falling just below its neck. Zosimas was so overjoyed at beholding a human form that he ran after it in pursuit, but re form fled from him. He followed. At length, when he was near enough to be heard, he shouted:
"Why do you run from an old man and a sinner? Slave of the True God, wait for me, whoever you are, in God's name I tell you, for the love of God for Whose sake you are living in the desert."
"Forgive me for God's sake, but I cannot turn towards you and show you my face, Abba Zosimas. For I am a woman and naked as you see with the uncovered shame of my body. But if you would like to fulfill one wish of a sinful woman, throw me your cloak so that I can cover my body and can turn to you and ask for your blessing."
Here terror seized Zosimas, for he heard that she called him by name. But he realized that she could not have done so without knowing anything of him if she had not had the power of spiritual insight.
He at once did as he was asked. He took off his old, tattered cloak and threw it to her, turning away as he did so. she picked it up and was able to cover at least a part of her body. The she turned to Zosimas and said:
"Why did you wish, Abba Zosimas, to see a sinful woman? What do you wish to hear or learn from me, you who have not shrunk from such great struggles?"
Zosimas threw himself on the ground and asked for her blessing. She likewise bowed down before him. And thus they lay on the ground prostrate asking for each other's blessing. And one word alone could be heard from both: "Bless me!" After a long while the woman said to Zosimas:
"Abba Zosimas, it is you who must give blessing and pray. You are dignified by the order of priesthood and for may years you have been standing before the holy altar and offering the sacrifice of the Divine Mysteries."
This flung Zosimas into even greater terror. At length with tears he said to her:
"O mother, filled with he spirit, by your mode of life it is evident that you live with God and have died to the world. The Grace granted to you is apparent -- for you have called me by name and recognized that I am a priest, though you have never seen me before. Grace is recognized not by one's orders, but by gifts of the Spirit, so give me your blessing for God's sake, for I need your prayers."
Then giving way before the wish of the elder the woman said:
"Blessed is God Who cares for the salvation of men and their souls."
Zosimas answered:
"Amen."
And both rose to their feet. Then the woman asked the elder:
"Why have you come, man of God, to me who am so sinful? Why do you wish to see a woman naked an devoid of every virtue? Though I know one thing -- the Grace of the Holy Spirit has brought you to render me a service in time. Tell me, father, how are the Christian peoples living? And the kings? How is the Church guided?"
Zosimas said:
"By your prayers, mother, Christ has granted lasting peace to all. But fulfill the unworthy petition of an old man and pray for the whole world and for me who am a sinner, so that my wanderings in the desert may not be fruitless."
She answered:
"You who are a priest, Abba Zosimas, it is you who must pray for me and for all -- for this is your calling. But as we must all be obedient, I will gladly do what you ask."
And with these words she turned to the East, and raising her eyes to heaven and stretching out her hands, she began to pray in a whisper. One could not hear separate words, so that Zosimas could not understand anything that she said in her prayers. Meanwhile he stood, according to his own word, all in a flutter, looking at the ground without saying a word. And he swore, calling God to witness, that when at length he thought that her prayer was very long, he took his eyes off the ground and saw that she was raised bout a forearm's distance from the ground and stood praying in the air. When he saw this, even greater terror seized him and he fell on the ground weeping and repeating may times, "Lord have mercy."
And whilst lying prostrate on the ground he was tempted by a thought: Is it not a spirit, and perhaps her prayer is hypocrisy. But at the very same moment the woman turned round, raised the elder from the ground and said:
"Why do thought confuse you, Abba, and tempt you about me, as if I were a spirit and a dissembler in prayer? Know, holy father, that I am only a sinful woman, though I am guarded by Holy baptism. And I am no spirit but earth and ashes, and flesh alone."
And with these words she guarded herself with the sign of the Cross on her forehead, eyes, mouth and breast, saying:
"May God defend us from the evil one and from his designs, for fierce is his struggle against us."
...After crossing the Jordan, they all scattered far and wide in different directions. And this was the rule of life they had, and which they all observed -- neither to talk to one another, nor to know how each one lived and fasted. If they did happen to catch sight of one another, they went to another part of the country, living alone and always singing to God, and at a definite time eating a very small quantity of food. In this way they spent the whole of the fast and used to return to the monastery a week before the Resurrection of Christ, on Palm Sunday. Each one returned having his own conscience as the witness of his labor, and no one asked another how he had spent his time in the desert. Such were rules of the monastery. Every one of them whilst in the desert struggled with himself before the Judge of the struggle -- God -- not seeking to please men and fast before the eyes of all. For what is done for the sake of men, to win praise and honour, is not only useless to the one who does it but sometimes the cause of great punishment.
Zosimas did the same as all. And he went far, far into the desert with a secret hope of finding some father who might be living there and who might be able to satisfy his thirst and longing. And he wandered on tireless, as if hurrying on to some definite place. He had already walked for 20 days and when the 6th hour came he stopped and, turning to the East, he began to sing the sixth Hour and recite the customary prayers. He used to break his journey thus at fixed hours of the day to rest a little, to chant psalms standing and to pray on bent knees.
And as he sang thus without turning his eyes from the heavens, he suddenly saw to the right of the hillock on which he stood the semblance of a human body. At first he was confused thinking he beheld a vision of the devil, and even started with fear. But, having guarded himself with the sign of the Cross and banished all fear, he turned his gaze in that direction and in truth saw some form gliding southwards. It was naked, the skin dark as if burned up by the heat of the sun; the hair on its head was white as a fleece, and not long, falling just below its neck. Zosimas was so overjoyed at beholding a human form that he ran after it in pursuit, but re form fled from him. He followed. At length, when he was near enough to be heard, he shouted:
"Why do you run from an old man and a sinner? Slave of the True God, wait for me, whoever you are, in God's name I tell you, for the love of God for Whose sake you are living in the desert."
"Forgive me for God's sake, but I cannot turn towards you and show you my face, Abba Zosimas. For I am a woman and naked as you see with the uncovered shame of my body. But if you would like to fulfill one wish of a sinful woman, throw me your cloak so that I can cover my body and can turn to you and ask for your blessing."
Here terror seized Zosimas, for he heard that she called him by name. But he realized that she could not have done so without knowing anything of him if she had not had the power of spiritual insight.
He at once did as he was asked. He took off his old, tattered cloak and threw it to her, turning away as he did so. she picked it up and was able to cover at least a part of her body. The she turned to Zosimas and said:
"Why did you wish, Abba Zosimas, to see a sinful woman? What do you wish to hear or learn from me, you who have not shrunk from such great struggles?"
Zosimas threw himself on the ground and asked for her blessing. She likewise bowed down before him. And thus they lay on the ground prostrate asking for each other's blessing. And one word alone could be heard from both: "Bless me!" After a long while the woman said to Zosimas:
"Abba Zosimas, it is you who must give blessing and pray. You are dignified by the order of priesthood and for may years you have been standing before the holy altar and offering the sacrifice of the Divine Mysteries."
This flung Zosimas into even greater terror. At length with tears he said to her:
"O mother, filled with he spirit, by your mode of life it is evident that you live with God and have died to the world. The Grace granted to you is apparent -- for you have called me by name and recognized that I am a priest, though you have never seen me before. Grace is recognized not by one's orders, but by gifts of the Spirit, so give me your blessing for God's sake, for I need your prayers."
Then giving way before the wish of the elder the woman said:
"Blessed is God Who cares for the salvation of men and their souls."
Zosimas answered:
"Amen."
And both rose to their feet. Then the woman asked the elder:
"Why have you come, man of God, to me who am so sinful? Why do you wish to see a woman naked an devoid of every virtue? Though I know one thing -- the Grace of the Holy Spirit has brought you to render me a service in time. Tell me, father, how are the Christian peoples living? And the kings? How is the Church guided?"
Zosimas said:
"By your prayers, mother, Christ has granted lasting peace to all. But fulfill the unworthy petition of an old man and pray for the whole world and for me who am a sinner, so that my wanderings in the desert may not be fruitless."
She answered:
"You who are a priest, Abba Zosimas, it is you who must pray for me and for all -- for this is your calling. But as we must all be obedient, I will gladly do what you ask."
And with these words she turned to the East, and raising her eyes to heaven and stretching out her hands, she began to pray in a whisper. One could not hear separate words, so that Zosimas could not understand anything that she said in her prayers. Meanwhile he stood, according to his own word, all in a flutter, looking at the ground without saying a word. And he swore, calling God to witness, that when at length he thought that her prayer was very long, he took his eyes off the ground and saw that she was raised bout a forearm's distance from the ground and stood praying in the air. When he saw this, even greater terror seized him and he fell on the ground weeping and repeating may times, "Lord have mercy."
And whilst lying prostrate on the ground he was tempted by a thought: Is it not a spirit, and perhaps her prayer is hypocrisy. But at the very same moment the woman turned round, raised the elder from the ground and said:
"Why do thought confuse you, Abba, and tempt you about me, as if I were a spirit and a dissembler in prayer? Know, holy father, that I am only a sinful woman, though I am guarded by Holy baptism. And I am no spirit but earth and ashes, and flesh alone."
And with these words she guarded herself with the sign of the Cross on her forehead, eyes, mouth and breast, saying:
"May God defend us from the evil one and from his designs, for fierce is his struggle against us."
20040227
The life of St. Mary of Egypt...
I am placing here part of the life of St. Mary of Egypt. Over the next few days I will put the additional parts of her life here on my page. It is rather long so I am breaking it into sections. If anyone wants the whole story let me know and I will email to you in a word document. I encourage all of you to read this edifying story. If you read nothing else this Great Lent let it be this story.
"It is good to hide the secret of a king, but it is glorious to reveal and preach the works of God" (Tobit 12:7) so said the Archangel Raphael to Tobit when he performed the wonderful healing of his blindness. Actually, not to keep the secret of a king is perilous and a terrible risk, but to be silent about the works of God is a great loss for the soul. And I (says St. Saphronius), in writing the life of St. Mary of Egypt, am afraid to hide the works of God by silence. Remembering the misfortune threatened to the servant who hid his God-given talent in the earth (Mat. 25:18-25), I am bound to pass on the holy account that has reached me. And let no one think (continues St. Saphronius) that I have had the audacity to write untruth or doubt this great marvel --may I never lie about holy things! If there do happen to be people who, after reading this record, do not believe it, may the Lord have mercy on them because, reflecting on the weakness of human nature, they consider impossible these wonderful things accomplished by holy people. But now we must begin to tell this most amazing story, which has taken place in our generation.
There was a certain elder in one of the monasteries of Palestine, a priest of the holy life and speech, who from childhood had been brought up in monastic ways and customs. This elder's name was Zosimas. He had been through the whole course of the ascetic life and in everything he adhered to the rule once given to him by his tutors as regard spiritual labors. He had also added a good deal himself whilst laboring to subject his flesh to the will of the spirit. And he had not failed in his aim. He was so renowned for his spiritual life that many came to him from neighboring monasteries and some even from afar. While doing all this, he never ceased to study the Divine Scriptures. Whether resting, standing, working or eating food (if the scraps he nibbled could be called food), he incessantly and constantly had a single aim: always to sing of God, and to practice the teaching of the Divine Scriptures. Zosimas used to relate how, as soon as he was taken from his mother's breast, he was handed over to the monastery where he went through his training as an ascetic till he reached the age of 53. After that, he began to be tormented with the thought that he was perfect in everything and needed no instruction from anyone, saying to himself mentally, and “Is there a monk on earth who can be of use to me and show me a kind of asceticism that I have not accomplished? Is there a man to be found in the desert who has surpassed me?"
Thus thought the elder, when suddenly an angel appeared to him and said:
"Zosimas, valiantly have you struggled, as far as this is within the power of man, valiantly have you gone through the ascetic course. But there is no man who has attained perfection. Before you lay unknown struggles greater than those you have already accomplished. That you may know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave your native land like the renowned patriarch Abraham and go to the monastery by the River Jordan."
Zosimas did as he was told. He left the monastery in which he had lived from childhood, and went to the River Jordan. At last he reached the community to which God had sent him. Having knocked at the door of the monastery, he told the monk who was the porter who he was; and the porter told the abbot. On being admitted to the abbot's presence, Zosimas made the usual monastic prostration and prayer. Seeing that he was a monk the abbot asked:
"Where do you come from, brother, and why have you come to us poor old men?"
Zosimas replied:
"There is no need to speak about where I have come from, but I have come, father, seeking spiritual profit, for I have heard great things about your skill in leading souls to God."
"Brother," the abbot said to him, "Only God can heal the infirmity of the soul. May He teach you and us His divine ways and guide us. But as it is the love of Christ that has moved you to visit us poor old men, then stay with us, if that is why you have come. May the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for our salvation fill us all with the grace of the Holy Spirit."
After this, Zosimas bowed to the abbot, asked for his prayers and blessing, and stayed in the monastery. There he saw elders proficient both in action and the contemplation of God, aflame in spirit, working for the Lord. They sang incessantly, they stood in prayer all night, work was ever in their hands and psalms on their lips. Never an idle word was heard among them, they know nothing about acquiring temporal goods or the cares of life. But they had one desire -- to become in body like corpses. Their constant food was the Word of God, and they sustained their bodies on bread and water, as much as their love for God allowed them Seeing this, Zosimas was greatly edified and prepared for the struggle that lay before him.
Many days passed and the time drew near when all Christians fast and prepare themselves to worship the Divine Passion and Resurrection of Christ. The monastery gates were kept always locked and only opened when one of the community was sent out on some errand. It was a desert place, not only unvisited by people of the world but even unknown to them.
There was a rule in that monastery which was the reason why God brought Zosimas there. At the beginning of the Great Fast [on Forgiveness Sunday] the priest celebrated the holy Liturgy and all partook of the holy body and blood of Christ. After the Liturgy they went to the refectory and would eat a little Lenten food.
Then all gathered in church, and after praying earnestly with prostrations, the elders kissed one another and asked forgiveness. And each made a prostration to the abbot and asked his blessing and prayers for the struggle that lay before them. After this, the gates of the monastery were thrown open, and singing, "The Lord is my light and my Savior; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 26:1) and the rest of that psalm, all went out into the desert and crossed the River Jordan. Only one or two brothers were left in the monastery, not to guard the property (for there was nothing to rob), but so as not to leave the church without Divine Service. Each took with him as much as he could or wanted in the way of food, according to the needs of his body: one would take a little bread, another some figs, another dates or wheat soaked in water. And some took nothing but their own body covered with rags and fed when nature forced them to it on the plants that grew in the desert.
...to be continued...
"It is good to hide the secret of a king, but it is glorious to reveal and preach the works of God" (Tobit 12:7) so said the Archangel Raphael to Tobit when he performed the wonderful healing of his blindness. Actually, not to keep the secret of a king is perilous and a terrible risk, but to be silent about the works of God is a great loss for the soul. And I (says St. Saphronius), in writing the life of St. Mary of Egypt, am afraid to hide the works of God by silence. Remembering the misfortune threatened to the servant who hid his God-given talent in the earth (Mat. 25:18-25), I am bound to pass on the holy account that has reached me. And let no one think (continues St. Saphronius) that I have had the audacity to write untruth or doubt this great marvel --may I never lie about holy things! If there do happen to be people who, after reading this record, do not believe it, may the Lord have mercy on them because, reflecting on the weakness of human nature, they consider impossible these wonderful things accomplished by holy people. But now we must begin to tell this most amazing story, which has taken place in our generation.
There was a certain elder in one of the monasteries of Palestine, a priest of the holy life and speech, who from childhood had been brought up in monastic ways and customs. This elder's name was Zosimas. He had been through the whole course of the ascetic life and in everything he adhered to the rule once given to him by his tutors as regard spiritual labors. He had also added a good deal himself whilst laboring to subject his flesh to the will of the spirit. And he had not failed in his aim. He was so renowned for his spiritual life that many came to him from neighboring monasteries and some even from afar. While doing all this, he never ceased to study the Divine Scriptures. Whether resting, standing, working or eating food (if the scraps he nibbled could be called food), he incessantly and constantly had a single aim: always to sing of God, and to practice the teaching of the Divine Scriptures. Zosimas used to relate how, as soon as he was taken from his mother's breast, he was handed over to the monastery where he went through his training as an ascetic till he reached the age of 53. After that, he began to be tormented with the thought that he was perfect in everything and needed no instruction from anyone, saying to himself mentally, and “Is there a monk on earth who can be of use to me and show me a kind of asceticism that I have not accomplished? Is there a man to be found in the desert who has surpassed me?"
Thus thought the elder, when suddenly an angel appeared to him and said:
"Zosimas, valiantly have you struggled, as far as this is within the power of man, valiantly have you gone through the ascetic course. But there is no man who has attained perfection. Before you lay unknown struggles greater than those you have already accomplished. That you may know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave your native land like the renowned patriarch Abraham and go to the monastery by the River Jordan."
Zosimas did as he was told. He left the monastery in which he had lived from childhood, and went to the River Jordan. At last he reached the community to which God had sent him. Having knocked at the door of the monastery, he told the monk who was the porter who he was; and the porter told the abbot. On being admitted to the abbot's presence, Zosimas made the usual monastic prostration and prayer. Seeing that he was a monk the abbot asked:
"Where do you come from, brother, and why have you come to us poor old men?"
Zosimas replied:
"There is no need to speak about where I have come from, but I have come, father, seeking spiritual profit, for I have heard great things about your skill in leading souls to God."
"Brother," the abbot said to him, "Only God can heal the infirmity of the soul. May He teach you and us His divine ways and guide us. But as it is the love of Christ that has moved you to visit us poor old men, then stay with us, if that is why you have come. May the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for our salvation fill us all with the grace of the Holy Spirit."
After this, Zosimas bowed to the abbot, asked for his prayers and blessing, and stayed in the monastery. There he saw elders proficient both in action and the contemplation of God, aflame in spirit, working for the Lord. They sang incessantly, they stood in prayer all night, work was ever in their hands and psalms on their lips. Never an idle word was heard among them, they know nothing about acquiring temporal goods or the cares of life. But they had one desire -- to become in body like corpses. Their constant food was the Word of God, and they sustained their bodies on bread and water, as much as their love for God allowed them Seeing this, Zosimas was greatly edified and prepared for the struggle that lay before him.
Many days passed and the time drew near when all Christians fast and prepare themselves to worship the Divine Passion and Resurrection of Christ. The monastery gates were kept always locked and only opened when one of the community was sent out on some errand. It was a desert place, not only unvisited by people of the world but even unknown to them.
There was a rule in that monastery which was the reason why God brought Zosimas there. At the beginning of the Great Fast [on Forgiveness Sunday] the priest celebrated the holy Liturgy and all partook of the holy body and blood of Christ. After the Liturgy they went to the refectory and would eat a little Lenten food.
Then all gathered in church, and after praying earnestly with prostrations, the elders kissed one another and asked forgiveness. And each made a prostration to the abbot and asked his blessing and prayers for the struggle that lay before them. After this, the gates of the monastery were thrown open, and singing, "The Lord is my light and my Savior; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 26:1) and the rest of that psalm, all went out into the desert and crossed the River Jordan. Only one or two brothers were left in the monastery, not to guard the property (for there was nothing to rob), but so as not to leave the church without Divine Service. Each took with him as much as he could or wanted in the way of food, according to the needs of his body: one would take a little bread, another some figs, another dates or wheat soaked in water. And some took nothing but their own body covered with rags and fed when nature forced them to it on the plants that grew in the desert.
...to be continued...
20040226
Chicago Suntimes article...
Here is the article I was speaking to earlier from my spiritual father. It is from the Chicago Suntimes.
The article and information contained therein is the property of the Chicago Suntimes. Copyright laws apply.
Greek Orthodox leaders tell flock 'Passion' isn't accurate
February 26, 2004
BY CATHLEEN FALSANI Religion Reporter
Leaders of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Chicago have sent letters to all of their parishes warning clergy and the faithful that some of the theological ideas expressed in Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" are not part of their tradition.
"It distorts the gospel message," said the Very Rev. Demetri Kantzavelos, chancellor of the Chicago diocese, which includes 59 parishes in Illinois and five other Midwestern states. "The errors that deviate from the gospel are profound."
"My fear is that this might be the only 'gospel' that people see or read," he said.
"The Passion" chronicles the final 12 hours of Jesus' life, including more than an hour of graphic depictions of brutal scourging and crucifixion. Gibson has said the film is based on New Testament accounts and other scholarship.
A critique of the film also released by Kantzavelos for the diocese said Gibson's interpretation of the death of Jesus "distorted the ultimate meaning of Christ's passion" and was "beyond the embrace of Orthodox Christianity."
"The Orthodox Christian tradition has never focused attention on nor explicitly promulgated an 'atonement theology' as central to church teachings," Kantzavelos wrote in the critique. "The point of Christ's death was to triumph over death and make a way for each of us who come after him to join with him.
"The film misses this point," he wrote. "In Orthodox Christianity, we are asked to identify with his victory, not with his suffering alone."
Kantzavelos said that Metropolitan Iakovos, head of the Chicago diocese, felt compelled to send the cautionary letters to parishes after many called the diocese for guidance about youth and church groups viewing the film.
"Having just the passion -- the 12 hours -- lifted and compacted into two hours without Christ's social gospel message or his healings . . . renders the movie gratuitously violent for no reason," said Kantzavelos, who saw the film Monday. "I was not profoundly moved. I was profoundly disturbed."
Gibson's spokesman did not return a request for comment.
"The Passion" focuses almost entirely on the suffering of Jesus, with a short depiction of the resurrection -- about two minutes at the end of the 126-minute film.
The article and information contained therein is the property of the Chicago Suntimes. Copyright laws apply.
Greek Orthodox leaders tell flock 'Passion' isn't accurate
February 26, 2004
BY CATHLEEN FALSANI Religion Reporter
Leaders of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Chicago have sent letters to all of their parishes warning clergy and the faithful that some of the theological ideas expressed in Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" are not part of their tradition.
"It distorts the gospel message," said the Very Rev. Demetri Kantzavelos, chancellor of the Chicago diocese, which includes 59 parishes in Illinois and five other Midwestern states. "The errors that deviate from the gospel are profound."
"My fear is that this might be the only 'gospel' that people see or read," he said.
"The Passion" chronicles the final 12 hours of Jesus' life, including more than an hour of graphic depictions of brutal scourging and crucifixion. Gibson has said the film is based on New Testament accounts and other scholarship.
A critique of the film also released by Kantzavelos for the diocese said Gibson's interpretation of the death of Jesus "distorted the ultimate meaning of Christ's passion" and was "beyond the embrace of Orthodox Christianity."
"The Orthodox Christian tradition has never focused attention on nor explicitly promulgated an 'atonement theology' as central to church teachings," Kantzavelos wrote in the critique. "The point of Christ's death was to triumph over death and make a way for each of us who come after him to join with him.
"The film misses this point," he wrote. "In Orthodox Christianity, we are asked to identify with his victory, not with his suffering alone."
Kantzavelos said that Metropolitan Iakovos, head of the Chicago diocese, felt compelled to send the cautionary letters to parishes after many called the diocese for guidance about youth and church groups viewing the film.
"Having just the passion -- the 12 hours -- lifted and compacted into two hours without Christ's social gospel message or his healings . . . renders the movie gratuitously violent for no reason," said Kantzavelos, who saw the film Monday. "I was not profoundly moved. I was profoundly disturbed."
Gibson's spokesman did not return a request for comment.
"The Passion" focuses almost entirely on the suffering of Jesus, with a short depiction of the resurrection -- about two minutes at the end of the 126-minute film.
The Passion... (You may not wish to read this if you haven't seen the movie)
Tonight I went to see Mel Gibson's movie The Passion. First of all, I must say that I am really surprised that anyone would call this movie anti-semitic. I just didn't see evidence of that at all. In all actuality, the Romans were portrayed in a harsher light than the Jews were.
My thoughts about the movie overall were that it was very good. If I had one criticism of the film it would be that it did not include the Resurrection in the proper light. However, since the film was about the Passion this does make sense.
I thought the use of Aramaic and Latin was impressive. Actually, I found myself paying more attention to the visuals at certain points than to the dialogue. Having read all four Gospels a number of times now I knew what was coming. It seemed to me that the film centered mainly on the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, although there were parts that were taken from the remaining two Gospels. (I even checked certain things with a mini-bible and a pen light during the film.)
Basically, I found the movie to be Scripturally (and theologically) correct although there were things that were added. These added bits of dialogue and interactions between characters didn't take away from the Gospel message. None of the added scenes were so unbelievable that one would say, that would never have happened.
I didn't find the violence in this film any worse than in any of the other films I have seen in the past. Howbeit, that it was happening to God Himself, made more of an impact on me personally however. Certainly, Full Metal Jacket, Gladiator, We Were Soldiers, Pulp Fiction, Natural Born Killers, and even Lord of the Ringswere violent films. Yet the violence was in a context that was appropriate to the film itself. Beatings, scourging, and crucifixion were not happy, happy, joy, joy events in biblical times. I think Mel Gibson did an excellent job showing the suffering Christ really went through.
I thought the picks for the characters themselves was very well done too. I must say that I think the best acting was done by the actor who played Pilate (forgive me I don't know his name). I also found it interesting how in the movie Christ responds to Pilate the final time in Latin, even though Pilate was peaking to Him in Aramaic. That was a powerful moment in the movie. Another interesting addition here was that Pilate had something to loose if the Jews revolted. Caesar would take that revolt out on him. While not supported by biblical evidence it is conceivable that the pressure was on Pilate to keep the Jews from revolting.
The most touching moment in the movie for me personally, was when Jesus was being beaten and falls for the first time and sees the guard's feet. This takes Christ back to the moment when He was washing the disciples feet. As He is being beaten all our Savior can think of is love towards others. That made a major impact on me. I thought to myself, how could we punish such a Man as this who would wash our feet. Our reward to Him for His kindness and love was beating and death. I also thought it was very powerful when the guards were shown being out of breath and literally exhausted, yet it was Christ who was being beaten. To go along with this scene was what followed, when Pilate's wife brought clean linen to the Virgin Mary and both the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene cleaned Christ's blood from the ground. Again not Scriptural but very powerful.
I was also touched by the 'quite softness'of how the Virgin Mary (along with Mary Magdalene and the Apostle John) followed her Son throughout His trials. I kept thinking over and over about the line in the Gospel of Luke, which says, "and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword shall pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.'" (Luke 2: 34-35)
I find it touching that in the end the ones who were with Christ were the women and the Apostle John, a young boy. I have always found that point, one of the most touching in the Gospel account of Christ's life. Those who were thought to be so strong and brave couldn't stay with a dying man in his last hours to bring Him some form of comfort. It was simple women and a young boy who were left with the task of providing that comfort to Christ.
The portrayal of the devil in the movie was to me rather scary, as funny as that may sound, but also believable. It is was also a reminder to me that at every turn the devil is there to turn us away from the One True God. Only in Christ, can we find the strength to overcome the devil and to be with God.
During this movie, I actually found myself ashamed of my sins, and of how I have treated Christ in my own life. It isn't that I think I am unworthy of forgiveness but rather that in some way, when I sin, and therefore turn away from Christ, I help to crucify Him as well. Yet, He returns to me nothing but love. This has given me something to think on during this Lenten season.
In the end what I took away from this film is that Christ suffered for all humankind. While I am sure the critics will have their 'fun' with the film I think it was worth while. In a day and age when we live in what is quickly becoming a godless society to be reminded that Christ suffered, died, and rose from the dead for all of us...Well that is something that in my opinion is a very good thing to be reminded of.
My thoughts about the movie overall were that it was very good. If I had one criticism of the film it would be that it did not include the Resurrection in the proper light. However, since the film was about the Passion this does make sense.
I thought the use of Aramaic and Latin was impressive. Actually, I found myself paying more attention to the visuals at certain points than to the dialogue. Having read all four Gospels a number of times now I knew what was coming. It seemed to me that the film centered mainly on the Gospel of Matthew and Mark, although there were parts that were taken from the remaining two Gospels. (I even checked certain things with a mini-bible and a pen light during the film.)
Basically, I found the movie to be Scripturally (and theologically) correct although there were things that were added. These added bits of dialogue and interactions between characters didn't take away from the Gospel message. None of the added scenes were so unbelievable that one would say, that would never have happened.
I didn't find the violence in this film any worse than in any of the other films I have seen in the past. Howbeit, that it was happening to God Himself, made more of an impact on me personally however. Certainly, Full Metal Jacket, Gladiator, We Were Soldiers, Pulp Fiction, Natural Born Killers, and even Lord of the Ringswere violent films. Yet the violence was in a context that was appropriate to the film itself. Beatings, scourging, and crucifixion were not happy, happy, joy, joy events in biblical times. I think Mel Gibson did an excellent job showing the suffering Christ really went through.
I thought the picks for the characters themselves was very well done too. I must say that I think the best acting was done by the actor who played Pilate (forgive me I don't know his name). I also found it interesting how in the movie Christ responds to Pilate the final time in Latin, even though Pilate was peaking to Him in Aramaic. That was a powerful moment in the movie. Another interesting addition here was that Pilate had something to loose if the Jews revolted. Caesar would take that revolt out on him. While not supported by biblical evidence it is conceivable that the pressure was on Pilate to keep the Jews from revolting.
The most touching moment in the movie for me personally, was when Jesus was being beaten and falls for the first time and sees the guard's feet. This takes Christ back to the moment when He was washing the disciples feet. As He is being beaten all our Savior can think of is love towards others. That made a major impact on me. I thought to myself, how could we punish such a Man as this who would wash our feet. Our reward to Him for His kindness and love was beating and death. I also thought it was very powerful when the guards were shown being out of breath and literally exhausted, yet it was Christ who was being beaten. To go along with this scene was what followed, when Pilate's wife brought clean linen to the Virgin Mary and both the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene cleaned Christ's blood from the ground. Again not Scriptural but very powerful.
I was also touched by the 'quite softness'of how the Virgin Mary (along with Mary Magdalene and the Apostle John) followed her Son throughout His trials. I kept thinking over and over about the line in the Gospel of Luke, which says, "and Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'behold, this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is spoken against (and a sword shall pierce through your own soul also), that thoughts out of many hearts may be revealed.'" (Luke 2: 34-35)
I find it touching that in the end the ones who were with Christ were the women and the Apostle John, a young boy. I have always found that point, one of the most touching in the Gospel account of Christ's life. Those who were thought to be so strong and brave couldn't stay with a dying man in his last hours to bring Him some form of comfort. It was simple women and a young boy who were left with the task of providing that comfort to Christ.
The portrayal of the devil in the movie was to me rather scary, as funny as that may sound, but also believable. It is was also a reminder to me that at every turn the devil is there to turn us away from the One True God. Only in Christ, can we find the strength to overcome the devil and to be with God.
During this movie, I actually found myself ashamed of my sins, and of how I have treated Christ in my own life. It isn't that I think I am unworthy of forgiveness but rather that in some way, when I sin, and therefore turn away from Christ, I help to crucify Him as well. Yet, He returns to me nothing but love. This has given me something to think on during this Lenten season.
In the end what I took away from this film is that Christ suffered for all humankind. While I am sure the critics will have their 'fun' with the film I think it was worth while. In a day and age when we live in what is quickly becoming a godless society to be reminded that Christ suffered, died, and rose from the dead for all of us...Well that is something that in my opinion is a very good thing to be reminded of.
20040225
Additional information...
One additional bit of information concerning my last post.
The case is Locke v. Davey, 02-1315.
There were two dissenting opinions on the court. Justices Scalia and Thomas. Here is a link for there dissenting opinions.
Justice Scalia dissent
Justice Thomas dissent
And the opinion of the other Justices:
Opinion
The case is Locke v. Davey, 02-1315.
There were two dissenting opinions on the court. Justices Scalia and Thomas. Here is a link for there dissenting opinions.
Justice Scalia dissent
Justice Thomas dissent
And the opinion of the other Justices:
Opinion
Unbelievable yet true...
Awhile back I was having a conversation with a friend of mine concerning issues in the church. Sometimes out of frustration with certain issues our conversations might border on what one could call silly but this one wasn't one of those. Granted I think that it is good to laugh at ourselves from time to time, hence some of the silliness. Anyway, looking back one of the comments I made during a particular conversation centered around the fact that we are loosing the church.
What I mean by this is that we have come to a period in our history where things have gotten so warped that it is difficult to know which end is up anymore. You might be asking yourselves at this point what is Pete getting at here? Over on Seraphim's blog he put up a link to an article concerning funding for college students who are studying Theology. Apparently the Supreme Court of the U.S. has ruled in favor of a Washington State decision to deny state funding to students who are studying Theology. I am also posting a link to that article, so click here to go to it.
My question is why? Tuesday I was sitting in my Church History II class learning about how education developed in the West and one of the key components of any half way decent education had to include Theology. Yet today in our society the mere mention of a cosmic or higher power ends one up in a nasty court battle. How far down the road to perdition have we traveled that we can't even discuss our faith let alone spread the word to others who are desperately in need of it.
The Apostle James in his epistle speaks about faith without works being dead. It strikes me funny every time I read that, because I am always hearing about the great faith people have in a god but I usually don't hear more than that. The other day I spent about an hour or so surfing the web and I found pages dedicated to all types of things and beliefs. There were pages on Christianity, Paganism, Wiccian, witchcraft, sex, and just about everything else one could think of finding. In looking at some of these pages some made sense and some just left me baffled beyond belief. Again, lots of faith but not much else.
Alas I digress, getting back to my conversation with my friend. I made the remark to him, that just as God took the "church" away from the Jewish peoples, and made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years, I said, that I believe that we as Orthodox Christians are subject to the same fate. Now I know that I am going out on a limb here and some will disagree with me but I really have to wonder.
The Supreme Court in this most recent decision was absolutely wrong! If they are going to take funding away from students of Theology, then they need to cut all State and Federal funds to all students. I mean what about students of philosophy, logic, mathematics, science, and every other discipline? Do not these disciplines teach a certain Theology? Oh! Wait a minute they do at that, but they don't mention one thing. That thing is not actually a thing, but is the one true GOD!
So what our government is telling us is that it is not acceptable to believe in GOD, that is a Judeo-Christian concept of GOD. Again I am baffled. I will say this however, this decision is most disconcerting and when I actually think about it, it appears demonic.
What I mean by this is that we have come to a period in our history where things have gotten so warped that it is difficult to know which end is up anymore. You might be asking yourselves at this point what is Pete getting at here? Over on Seraphim's blog he put up a link to an article concerning funding for college students who are studying Theology. Apparently the Supreme Court of the U.S. has ruled in favor of a Washington State decision to deny state funding to students who are studying Theology. I am also posting a link to that article, so click here to go to it.
My question is why? Tuesday I was sitting in my Church History II class learning about how education developed in the West and one of the key components of any half way decent education had to include Theology. Yet today in our society the mere mention of a cosmic or higher power ends one up in a nasty court battle. How far down the road to perdition have we traveled that we can't even discuss our faith let alone spread the word to others who are desperately in need of it.
The Apostle James in his epistle speaks about faith without works being dead. It strikes me funny every time I read that, because I am always hearing about the great faith people have in a god but I usually don't hear more than that. The other day I spent about an hour or so surfing the web and I found pages dedicated to all types of things and beliefs. There were pages on Christianity, Paganism, Wiccian, witchcraft, sex, and just about everything else one could think of finding. In looking at some of these pages some made sense and some just left me baffled beyond belief. Again, lots of faith but not much else.
Alas I digress, getting back to my conversation with my friend. I made the remark to him, that just as God took the "church" away from the Jewish peoples, and made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years, I said, that I believe that we as Orthodox Christians are subject to the same fate. Now I know that I am going out on a limb here and some will disagree with me but I really have to wonder.
The Supreme Court in this most recent decision was absolutely wrong! If they are going to take funding away from students of Theology, then they need to cut all State and Federal funds to all students. I mean what about students of philosophy, logic, mathematics, science, and every other discipline? Do not these disciplines teach a certain Theology? Oh! Wait a minute they do at that, but they don't mention one thing. That thing is not actually a thing, but is the one true GOD!
So what our government is telling us is that it is not acceptable to believe in GOD, that is a Judeo-Christian concept of GOD. Again I am baffled. I will say this however, this decision is most disconcerting and when I actually think about it, it appears demonic.
20040224
A funnie....
A friend of mine sent me this pic via email today. I thought it was pretty funny so I thought I would share it here on my page.
It is titled: Bad Day
I don't know who the artist is.
It is titled: Bad Day
I don't know who the artist is.
20040223
Addendum...
I may have made a mistake, okay all of you stop laughing now, :-) when I posted earlier that Christ is Risen is sung on Forgiveness Sunday. Seraphim, pointed out something to me in an article of Fr. Schmemann wrote which points to other hymns being sung. They are nonetheless resurectional hymns. Check out the article it was very informative. Forgiveness Article
20040222
Some reflections...
After Forgiveness Vespers tonight I was thinking about a great many things. Mostly, I was reflecting on what I had done through out the past year and I was trying to set some goals for myself that I want to accomplish during this Lenten period. One of those goals has to do with people in the military. As most of you know from reading this page I was in the Air Force for 6 years. I am a disabled Veteran and I left active service in July 2002.
That being said, I would ask all of you to take the time to say a prayer for the American forces over seas and at home. Now it doesn't really matter if you agree with the war on terrorism, or even the military per se, but what does matter is the people in the Armed Forces. What we all forget sometimes is that the people in the military are just like you and me. I spent a lot of time in the military and when you are deployed over seas, or even State side for that matter, things can get lonely. Yes, there are others with you but sometimes everyone gets lonely. I was also thinking tonight that I am so fortunate to be at home this year and not in some Middle-Eastern hole in the wall country. (No offense meant to anyone from the Middle-East.)
The people in the Armed Forces are doing a job and a thankless one at that. It is also one that is very necessary. I still have many friends who are deployed that I haven't heard from in some time and I am sure they would like to know that we are thinking and praying for them. I am truly thankful that I have the opportunity to sit in a nice small dorm room now and I get to go to church and classes.
There are a few people I will mention here that I would ask all of you reading this to pray for: Mark, serving in the U.S. Navy currently on board ship and at sea in the Mediterranean, (His father is a dear friend of mine and an Orthodox Priest in Florida); Caleb , serving in the U.S Army and he is in the Middle-East, I go to seminary with Caleb's brother Anthony, try taking a look at his page and it may give you all some ideas of what the men and women are going through over there; And finally Ed, a dear friend of mine for many years, who is working in Iraq as a civilian with assisting the U.S. Armed Forces.
I ask that we all remember not only those people I have mentioned here but all of our forces. I also ask that we remember the opposition as well. When we hear the prayers in church for the armed forces, captives, and the psalm verses about our enemies let each one of us take a moment to consider how truly important those prayers really are.
That being said, I would ask all of you to take the time to say a prayer for the American forces over seas and at home. Now it doesn't really matter if you agree with the war on terrorism, or even the military per se, but what does matter is the people in the Armed Forces. What we all forget sometimes is that the people in the military are just like you and me. I spent a lot of time in the military and when you are deployed over seas, or even State side for that matter, things can get lonely. Yes, there are others with you but sometimes everyone gets lonely. I was also thinking tonight that I am so fortunate to be at home this year and not in some Middle-Eastern hole in the wall country. (No offense meant to anyone from the Middle-East.)
The people in the Armed Forces are doing a job and a thankless one at that. It is also one that is very necessary. I still have many friends who are deployed that I haven't heard from in some time and I am sure they would like to know that we are thinking and praying for them. I am truly thankful that I have the opportunity to sit in a nice small dorm room now and I get to go to church and classes.
There are a few people I will mention here that I would ask all of you reading this to pray for: Mark, serving in the U.S. Navy currently on board ship and at sea in the Mediterranean, (His father is a dear friend of mine and an Orthodox Priest in Florida); Caleb , serving in the U.S Army and he is in the Middle-East, I go to seminary with Caleb's brother Anthony, try taking a look at his page and it may give you all some ideas of what the men and women are going through over there; And finally Ed, a dear friend of mine for many years, who is working in Iraq as a civilian with assisting the U.S. Armed Forces.
I ask that we all remember not only those people I have mentioned here but all of our forces. I also ask that we remember the opposition as well. When we hear the prayers in church for the armed forces, captives, and the psalm verses about our enemies let each one of us take a moment to consider how truly important those prayers really are.
On a more sober note...
On a more sober note folks tonight is the begining of Great Lent. In accordance with the day I would ask forgiveness of all those I have offened through out this past year and especially with anything I have placed on this page. I thank all of you for taking the time to read my ramblings and thoughts and for sharing your comments with me.
As we embark on this lenten journey I hope and pray that all have a spiritually enlightening journey towards Pascha. I am going to try and put some posts here during lent about St. Mary of Egypt, one of my favorite Saints. I also want to include some of my notes from a few of my classes which pertain to the Lenten season.
May you all have a wonderful lenten season. Also in accordance with the holiday today I place here the hymn of the Resurection. Usually tonight is the first time in the church this hymn is sung to remind us that even though we are in a time of fast we should always remember the joy of the Resurection of Christ!
Christ is Risen from the dead Trampling down death by death. And upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Χριστος ανεστη εκ νεκρων, Θανατω Θανατον Πατησας, και τοις μνημασι, ζωην χαρισαμενος.
As we embark on this lenten journey I hope and pray that all have a spiritually enlightening journey towards Pascha. I am going to try and put some posts here during lent about St. Mary of Egypt, one of my favorite Saints. I also want to include some of my notes from a few of my classes which pertain to the Lenten season.
May you all have a wonderful lenten season. Also in accordance with the holiday today I place here the hymn of the Resurection. Usually tonight is the first time in the church this hymn is sung to remind us that even though we are in a time of fast we should always remember the joy of the Resurection of Christ!
Christ is Risen from the dead Trampling down death by death. And upon those in the tombs bestowing life.
Χριστος ανεστη εκ νεκρων, Θανατω Θανατον Πατησας, και τοις μνημασι, ζωην χαρισαμενος.
The Wacky entertainment...
Last night I had the pleasure of attending the HC/HC talent show. Now last nights show wasn't as long as last years but nonetheless it was a good one and the participants did a good job performing. Some of the more interesting acts included Mr. Lou Nicholas as MC, especially his comedy which was off-beat but funny. Lou also performed with a number of different acts playing the guitar and again he did a good job, lets say it was colorful :-)
On the classical side of things (there were a lot of classical performances last night) Mr. Gugg, (a.k.a. Anthony Cook) performed beautifully with his group 2 or 3 times. However, he would break out of the classical box later in the show for a hard core rock and roll act. I am talking real head banger stuff...
The real surprise of the evening for me was Mr. Seraphim Danckaert who appeared as a real hippie. Yes folks I am not kidding, a real hippie. Tie-died shirt and all. Not to mention his straw hat and way cool sun glasses and those Birkenstocks. Which by the way I am sure all hippies would have worn had they been around in the 60's. Had I know he was performing I would have opened a live feed to my blog, but alas I was unaware. His sister has some MPEGs which perhaps one of us will be able to get our hands on. I am sure royalties will be an issue but perhaps I can get in on the ground floor. :-)
During Mr Danckaert's second act he and his entourage, along with a guest appearance from the classic Mr. Gugg who was in a tough leather jacket, blue jeans, and bare foot, performed Heart Breaker. Oh my what a sight! When Anthony and Seraphim let their hair down and started doing the head banger thing I thought they might pass out from getting dizzy.
Overall, everyone gets an A+ because they all did a great job and they made us all laugh and have a good time. I think I am going to rename Seraphim, 'The Dude' after last nights performance. Yeh, I can say I saw 'The Dude' before he was truly famous.
Great job all!
On the classical side of things (there were a lot of classical performances last night) Mr. Gugg, (a.k.a. Anthony Cook) performed beautifully with his group 2 or 3 times. However, he would break out of the classical box later in the show for a hard core rock and roll act. I am talking real head banger stuff...
The real surprise of the evening for me was Mr. Seraphim Danckaert who appeared as a real hippie. Yes folks I am not kidding, a real hippie. Tie-died shirt and all. Not to mention his straw hat and way cool sun glasses and those Birkenstocks. Which by the way I am sure all hippies would have worn had they been around in the 60's. Had I know he was performing I would have opened a live feed to my blog, but alas I was unaware. His sister has some MPEGs which perhaps one of us will be able to get our hands on. I am sure royalties will be an issue but perhaps I can get in on the ground floor. :-)
During Mr Danckaert's second act he and his entourage, along with a guest appearance from the classic Mr. Gugg who was in a tough leather jacket, blue jeans, and bare foot, performed Heart Breaker. Oh my what a sight! When Anthony and Seraphim let their hair down and started doing the head banger thing I thought they might pass out from getting dizzy.
Overall, everyone gets an A+ because they all did a great job and they made us all laugh and have a good time. I think I am going to rename Seraphim, 'The Dude' after last nights performance. Yeh, I can say I saw 'The Dude' before he was truly famous.
Great job all!
Politics, politics, and whoa man some wacky entertainment... ;-)
Hello all! First on the presidential race for 2004 an old name has thrown his hat into the ring for the 2004 presidential race. I am sure you have all heard by now, Ralph Nader has announced his candidacy. Now I am not known for being a conspiracy theorist but this just doesn't smell right. Here is a guy that has run for president a number of times more than I can remember. He lost the backing of a part that is fairly accepting (the Greens) and while he throws a different perspective into the mix, his views just don't wash out.
Mr. Nader would be better left to dealing with consumer issues as opposed to running for the president of the US. Now another thing to think about here, is that this guy according to most news polls has the democrats worried. This doesn't make much sense to me since the 'golden boy' John Kerry is sure to take the Dem. Nomination and I do believe they will regret that once formal debates start. Kerry has done a great job of telling us what is wrong but he has no answers for anything that he has talked about. Back to Nader however, I don't personally believe that he is going to take votes away from the democrats. I actually think the republicans have more to worry about concerning his run for office.
When George Bush Sr. ran for office the second time Ross Perot did the same thing. The situation isn't exactly the same, but it is close enough for 'handgranades and horseshoes', not to mention wako politics. Now try this on for size; I wonder if it is possible that someone high up in the democratic party, realized that Kerry doesn't stand much of a chance to beat Bush toe to toe, so the democratic party goes looking for someone else to throw their hat in the ring. (Say what you want about Kerry but I don't believe he is going to come through for the democratic party. If they were smart they would get behind Edwards who is way more charismatic. Kerry and this war hero story {war hero's have never historically made good presidents especially ones who are democrats} are going to fall flat and fall hard in the end, unless...) Now they find Nader who has been in presidential races before as an off-beat kinda guy. He has an agenda that hasn't changed in who knows how long. He also doesn't have anything to loose (politically) for going after any of the other guys. So for the sake of democracy, and who knows what else they said he would help preserve, the democrats get Nader to run.
Next they have their press machine throw out some spin about how the democrats are worried about this guy and how all his friends are telling him not to run. They even get 'fat kat' Gov Bill Richardson (New Mexico) to come out and say he shouldn't do it. (He and Nader are on friendly terms if not better, and Richardson is a big mouth piece for the democratic party; especially with Hispanic voters who are becoming a powerhouse in the race for president.) But all the time they are trying to pull off the Potomac two-step and hoodwink the republicans in to letting their guard down and then......WHAMO! Come election day they successfully oust the republicans. That ladies and gentlemen is politics at its absolute best.
Is it a far reach, no not at all! Another key point here is that Nader knows he won't win, he can't. The tell-tale sign will be if Nader comes out hard against Bush and his policies, which he is sure to do. If the republicans take the bait Bush will get tangled up in a two front war and the outcome will be fairly sad for the country. As I said in a previous post this race is going to get more and more interesting, more later on this topic....
Oh and by the way for all the conspiracy theorists out there the government is hiding aliens in Roswell, NM. ;-}
Mr. Nader would be better left to dealing with consumer issues as opposed to running for the president of the US. Now another thing to think about here, is that this guy according to most news polls has the democrats worried. This doesn't make much sense to me since the 'golden boy' John Kerry is sure to take the Dem. Nomination and I do believe they will regret that once formal debates start. Kerry has done a great job of telling us what is wrong but he has no answers for anything that he has talked about. Back to Nader however, I don't personally believe that he is going to take votes away from the democrats. I actually think the republicans have more to worry about concerning his run for office.
When George Bush Sr. ran for office the second time Ross Perot did the same thing. The situation isn't exactly the same, but it is close enough for 'handgranades and horseshoes', not to mention wako politics. Now try this on for size; I wonder if it is possible that someone high up in the democratic party, realized that Kerry doesn't stand much of a chance to beat Bush toe to toe, so the democratic party goes looking for someone else to throw their hat in the ring. (Say what you want about Kerry but I don't believe he is going to come through for the democratic party. If they were smart they would get behind Edwards who is way more charismatic. Kerry and this war hero story {war hero's have never historically made good presidents especially ones who are democrats} are going to fall flat and fall hard in the end, unless...) Now they find Nader who has been in presidential races before as an off-beat kinda guy. He has an agenda that hasn't changed in who knows how long. He also doesn't have anything to loose (politically) for going after any of the other guys. So for the sake of democracy, and who knows what else they said he would help preserve, the democrats get Nader to run.
Next they have their press machine throw out some spin about how the democrats are worried about this guy and how all his friends are telling him not to run. They even get 'fat kat' Gov Bill Richardson (New Mexico) to come out and say he shouldn't do it. (He and Nader are on friendly terms if not better, and Richardson is a big mouth piece for the democratic party; especially with Hispanic voters who are becoming a powerhouse in the race for president.) But all the time they are trying to pull off the Potomac two-step and hoodwink the republicans in to letting their guard down and then......WHAMO! Come election day they successfully oust the republicans. That ladies and gentlemen is politics at its absolute best.
Is it a far reach, no not at all! Another key point here is that Nader knows he won't win, he can't. The tell-tale sign will be if Nader comes out hard against Bush and his policies, which he is sure to do. If the republicans take the bait Bush will get tangled up in a two front war and the outcome will be fairly sad for the country. As I said in a previous post this race is going to get more and more interesting, more later on this topic....
Oh and by the way for all the conspiracy theorists out there the government is hiding aliens in Roswell, NM. ;-}
20040219
Great Lent is around the corner and Guess what...???
Over the last two weeks or so I have noticed a certain change in people. Great Lent is around the corner and I think everyone's stress level is going through the rough. I am not trying to exaggerate when I say this either. This time of year is rather confusing for some. I have noticed that people don't react well to fast periods. That is generally speaking. Some people will obviously respond just fine to entering a fast period.
Something we must all remember, is that the church has been preparing us for this Great Fast, which is quickly approaching, for a reason. During this period I believe that the church wants us as members to slow down and take stock in what we are doing and how we are living our lives. The most difficult part for us is to SLOW DOWN! Most of us are use to going around 100+miles an hour. Part of the problem with going that fast is that we never look at how we are treating ourselves. In a paradoxical sort of way I think that is why we like 'going so fast'. We can't see what is wrong so there must be nothing wrong.
The problems with this are obvious, and I think apparent to everyone, applying the principle is what is difficult. Another difficult concept for us to acknowledge, is that the devil is fighting so much harder against us during this time of year. He is whispering in our ears, that we should keep on the accelerator, forget about slowing down. The devil is not interested in us slowing down or addressing problems or issues within our lives. He definitely doesn't want us growing closer to Christ or each other. What he thrives on is chaos. St. Anthony once said, that we have no reason to fear the devil he can not harm us! St. Anthony was quite right when he spoke these words. We are baptized into the body of Christ. We are creations of God, His living Spirit; if God is with us who can stand against us?
So my brothers and sisters I am putting out a yellow flag on the track (for all you race car fans), in other words slow down. Stop and take a look around you and ask your neighbor if they are okay. Offer prayers for those who ask and for those who can't ask. Do not enter the Great Fast with a hard heart but rather ask Christ to come and dwell inside of you. Most of all, let us all try to remember that what is really serious and important takes place in the church not outside of the church.
I pray we all have a spiritually productive fast.
Something we must all remember, is that the church has been preparing us for this Great Fast, which is quickly approaching, for a reason. During this period I believe that the church wants us as members to slow down and take stock in what we are doing and how we are living our lives. The most difficult part for us is to SLOW DOWN! Most of us are use to going around 100+miles an hour. Part of the problem with going that fast is that we never look at how we are treating ourselves. In a paradoxical sort of way I think that is why we like 'going so fast'. We can't see what is wrong so there must be nothing wrong.
The problems with this are obvious, and I think apparent to everyone, applying the principle is what is difficult. Another difficult concept for us to acknowledge, is that the devil is fighting so much harder against us during this time of year. He is whispering in our ears, that we should keep on the accelerator, forget about slowing down. The devil is not interested in us slowing down or addressing problems or issues within our lives. He definitely doesn't want us growing closer to Christ or each other. What he thrives on is chaos. St. Anthony once said, that we have no reason to fear the devil he can not harm us! St. Anthony was quite right when he spoke these words. We are baptized into the body of Christ. We are creations of God, His living Spirit; if God is with us who can stand against us?
So my brothers and sisters I am putting out a yellow flag on the track (for all you race car fans), in other words slow down. Stop and take a look around you and ask your neighbor if they are okay. Offer prayers for those who ask and for those who can't ask. Do not enter the Great Fast with a hard heart but rather ask Christ to come and dwell inside of you. Most of all, let us all try to remember that what is really serious and important takes place in the church not outside of the church.
I pray we all have a spiritually productive fast.
20040215
Kerry or Bush?
It seems somewhat clear, that Sen. John Kerry, is now the favorite to carry the democratic party nomination for president. There has been a great deal of press lately concerning president Bush and Sen. Kerry but I am more concerned with what isn't being said. So far Sen. Kerry has done a great job of telling us what president Bush hasn't done right but I have yet to hear any of his plans for how he would do things. It is easy to sit back and say that the other guy is doing something wrong but if Sen. Kerry is going to lead this country (as he claims he will be doing after the general election in November) then he needs to stop telling me what the other guy is doing wrong and let me as a voter know what he is going to do different.
Personally, I don't really believe that president Bush has acted in an inappropriate manner. There are still questions surrounding the Iraq war but we can't seem to address them because the rest of our politicians in Washington are to caught up over whether or not the current president served 5 drill periods over 30 years ago. It will be interesting in the weeks to come to see if we get more answers or more smoke being generated by those up for election. More to follow on this later...
Personally, I don't really believe that president Bush has acted in an inappropriate manner. There are still questions surrounding the Iraq war but we can't seem to address them because the rest of our politicians in Washington are to caught up over whether or not the current president served 5 drill periods over 30 years ago. It will be interesting in the weeks to come to see if we get more answers or more smoke being generated by those up for election. More to follow on this later...
20040207
Excerpt from an essay...
The following paragraphs are from a paper that I am working on for my social ethics class. The topic deals with analyzing a book, in this case, War and the Christian Conscience; How shall modern war be conducted justly?
Now I am not a pacifist nor do I subscribe to the idea that soldiers, saliors, airmen, or marines are bad people for the service they provide to this or any other country. What I am hoping to accomplish in this paper is to show that the idea of a just war is one that man created. The book puts forth an accurate account of the ideas of what details a just war and how that theory has evolved over time. If you care to please make comments I would be interested in hearing them. Please remember though that this is a very rough draft and only part of the introduction so don't beat it up to baddly. Aslo note that footnotes aren't included here. The two quotes come from the book of the Revelation and the book of Enoch, in that order.
INTRODUCTION:
The definition of war according to Merriam-Webster online dictionary is as follows: “a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations”. The true meaning of war goes much further than this and is in all likelihood incomprehensible. In fact, one can understand the reasons behind a war or aspects (some or all) of a war but the true nature war itself is something that is beyond human comprehension . The true nature of war itself deals with concepts, beliefs, and ultimately actions that as a creation of God, mankind was never intended to experience. Let alone take active participation in these acts. Nonetheless however, war does exist and it originated before the creation of mankind.
“And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
Satan, who had once been called Lucifer, the Morning-Star; the leader of the heavenly hosts of the Almighty God choose to rebel. Did man learn of the concepts of war and warfare from Satan and his demons?
“And Azazel taught men to make swords, knifes, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjaza taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, ‘Armaros the resolving of enchantments, Baraqijal (taught) astrology, Kokabel the constellations, Ezeqeel the knowledge of the clouds, Araqiel the signs of the earth, Shamsiel the signs of the sun, and Sariel the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven…”
The answer to this particular question can only be one of speculation not one of any real certainty. The one certainty concerning war, either in the abstract or the actual execution of a war, is that war in anyway either abstract or actual is not of, or from God. God is a God of love, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Love and war are like two masters which are diametrically opposed to each other. The allegory here is made to God and the Devil. We can only serve one of these masters.
Now I am not a pacifist nor do I subscribe to the idea that soldiers, saliors, airmen, or marines are bad people for the service they provide to this or any other country. What I am hoping to accomplish in this paper is to show that the idea of a just war is one that man created. The book puts forth an accurate account of the ideas of what details a just war and how that theory has evolved over time. If you care to please make comments I would be interested in hearing them. Please remember though that this is a very rough draft and only part of the introduction so don't beat it up to baddly. Aslo note that footnotes aren't included here. The two quotes come from the book of the Revelation and the book of Enoch, in that order.
INTRODUCTION:
The definition of war according to Merriam-Webster online dictionary is as follows: “a state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations”. The true meaning of war goes much further than this and is in all likelihood incomprehensible. In fact, one can understand the reasons behind a war or aspects (some or all) of a war but the true nature war itself is something that is beyond human comprehension . The true nature of war itself deals with concepts, beliefs, and ultimately actions that as a creation of God, mankind was never intended to experience. Let alone take active participation in these acts. Nonetheless however, war does exist and it originated before the creation of mankind.
“And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world-he was thrown down to earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.”
Satan, who had once been called Lucifer, the Morning-Star; the leader of the heavenly hosts of the Almighty God choose to rebel. Did man learn of the concepts of war and warfare from Satan and his demons?
“And Azazel taught men to make swords, knifes, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjaza taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, ‘Armaros the resolving of enchantments, Baraqijal (taught) astrology, Kokabel the constellations, Ezeqeel the knowledge of the clouds, Araqiel the signs of the earth, Shamsiel the signs of the sun, and Sariel the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven…”
The answer to this particular question can only be one of speculation not one of any real certainty. The one certainty concerning war, either in the abstract or the actual execution of a war, is that war in anyway either abstract or actual is not of, or from God. God is a God of love, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life.” Love and war are like two masters which are diametrically opposed to each other. The allegory here is made to God and the Devil. We can only serve one of these masters.
20040206
Same sex marriages...
Recently the high court in the state of Massachusetts came down with a ruling which allowed same sex marriages. In fact, the court has said that basically nothing short of full acceptance of same sex marriages will be considered constitutional. Regardless of which side of this issue you are on I think this decision came as a bit more than a shock to everyone. This is a landmark case not only for Massachusetts but for the US as well. The interesting item to note is that due to some of the cases which have been tried before I am not sure that this case can be appealed to the US Supreme court. I am sure that the attempt will be made however and that will be a bitter legal battle for sure.
House Speaker Thomas Finneran (D-Boston) and others who oppose the decision are seeking an injunction of sorts to keep the first licenses from being issued until a constitutional amendment can be looked at. I personally believe that an amendment to the state constitution is the only option that opponents of this decision have left to them.
Now for me personally I can't agree with the decision handed down by the high court. As an Orthodox Christian, the church teachings are very clear as to whether or not homosexuality is a sin or not. It most certainly is a sin. Perhaps it is more important to examine the reason why homosexuality is a sin. The reason is something that often times we forget or rather we push aside because it is not suitable for our personal wants and desires.
In the book of Genesis we are told of the story of creation. How God fashioned the heavens and the earth and the first man Adam. Mankind is unique of all God's creations because man is made in the likeness and image of God. In God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) we see that there is unity and diversity. God is always one and never divided yet God is also diverse as expressed in three persons. Mankind also expresses unity and diversity in God. When God created Adam we read, that God breathed life in to his nostrils and that man became a living being. (Paraphrased from Gen 2:7) Man therefore became the living breath of God a living spirit. When God created Eve He created her from the man to be with him and to be a help for him. Men and women were made for each other. We read in Gen 2:24 "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh." This does not mean that the woman is a lesser being but that like the man she had a specific purpose which was given to her by God. Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden to till and keep the garden (Gen 2:17) and then further in the text we read about the command that they should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen 2: 17)
So we have Adam and Eve the first man and woman expressing unity and diversity. They come together as one (unity) yet they are still individuals. When the original sin is committed there is a break from this unity in God. Eve by entering into conversation with the devil decides to move against the command of God. She compounds this sin by taking the fruit of the tree and giving it to her husband. Now Adam is wrong for taking the fruit from her and then further compounds his sin by lying to God when he is asked about the situation. (Gen 3:1-24) Mankind has broken the unity with God at this point and hence the fall of mankind.
Now in regards to marriage as previously said, men and women were made for each other and from each other (the woman came from the man). Marriage is a sacrament from and of God. Even opponents of this Christian ethic would admit that the Christian God never intended that same sex unions are acceptable. The key problem is that we have turned away from looking at sex as an expression of love between two people married in God as nothing more than a physical act of pleasure. In fact, we totally discount the spiritual implications of "having sex" today. Homosexuality is a sin, but it is a sin because it breaks the bonds of unity with God. As do other sexual indiscretions outside of the bonds of marriage. It is not a sin because, "those gay people are ugly beasts, etc..." add whatever insult you wish here it simply isn't accurate. In living a gay lifestyle, people are breaking the commandment of God in the same way Adam and Eve did, we are placing our own will above that of God's.
Another issue that Christian's today face is that it is not acceptable to interfere with or discuss someone else's sexual activities. Try telling someone that you don't think there sexual behavior is appropriate (say for example sex outside of marriage between two young people gay or otherwise). You will probably get told where to go real quick! Now take another example, for instance drugs. Tell someone that it is not okay to use drugs and you will be applauded. What is the difference, both are sins? The difference is that one has moved inside a norm that society accepts and the other is now outside the norm of society. The problem is that society is using a very warped scale concerning what is right and wrong. In the 60's and 70's drug use was widespread and while not openly condoned it was certainly not looked at as it is today. This 'norm' that we in society use is warped because we are forever changing it. The moral center we as a society once gained from religion and God is now taken from whoever has the stronger lobby in Washington D.C.
Homosexuality is a sin but those who are involved in that particular lifestyle do not in any way deserve the discrimination which has been heaped on them over the years. Neither however, do they as a group (or as individuals) have the right to lobby the state and dictate what I as an Orthodox Christian believe. In deciding this case that is exactly what the Massachusetts high court has done. They have told the Christian church (Orthodox and others) that what the tenants of your faith tell you are wrong and you must change them. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the courts and what decisions are reached. It is also necessary for us as Christians to stand up and say that we will not allow a court to decide the tenants of the Christian faith. If we don't do that, then we are most certainly participating in the sin because we are allowing it to go on.
In the end, instead of 'gay bashing' however, I propose that we as Orthodox Christians look to our own sins first. It was Christ that said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. No one deserves to be castigated from society but they do deserve to be dealt with in a loving manner.
House Speaker Thomas Finneran (D-Boston) and others who oppose the decision are seeking an injunction of sorts to keep the first licenses from being issued until a constitutional amendment can be looked at. I personally believe that an amendment to the state constitution is the only option that opponents of this decision have left to them.
Now for me personally I can't agree with the decision handed down by the high court. As an Orthodox Christian, the church teachings are very clear as to whether or not homosexuality is a sin or not. It most certainly is a sin. Perhaps it is more important to examine the reason why homosexuality is a sin. The reason is something that often times we forget or rather we push aside because it is not suitable for our personal wants and desires.
In the book of Genesis we are told of the story of creation. How God fashioned the heavens and the earth and the first man Adam. Mankind is unique of all God's creations because man is made in the likeness and image of God. In God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) we see that there is unity and diversity. God is always one and never divided yet God is also diverse as expressed in three persons. Mankind also expresses unity and diversity in God. When God created Adam we read, that God breathed life in to his nostrils and that man became a living being. (Paraphrased from Gen 2:7) Man therefore became the living breath of God a living spirit. When God created Eve He created her from the man to be with him and to be a help for him. Men and women were made for each other. We read in Gen 2:24 "Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh." This does not mean that the woman is a lesser being but that like the man she had a specific purpose which was given to her by God. Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden to till and keep the garden (Gen 2:17) and then further in the text we read about the command that they should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen 2: 17)
So we have Adam and Eve the first man and woman expressing unity and diversity. They come together as one (unity) yet they are still individuals. When the original sin is committed there is a break from this unity in God. Eve by entering into conversation with the devil decides to move against the command of God. She compounds this sin by taking the fruit of the tree and giving it to her husband. Now Adam is wrong for taking the fruit from her and then further compounds his sin by lying to God when he is asked about the situation. (Gen 3:1-24) Mankind has broken the unity with God at this point and hence the fall of mankind.
Now in regards to marriage as previously said, men and women were made for each other and from each other (the woman came from the man). Marriage is a sacrament from and of God. Even opponents of this Christian ethic would admit that the Christian God never intended that same sex unions are acceptable. The key problem is that we have turned away from looking at sex as an expression of love between two people married in God as nothing more than a physical act of pleasure. In fact, we totally discount the spiritual implications of "having sex" today. Homosexuality is a sin, but it is a sin because it breaks the bonds of unity with God. As do other sexual indiscretions outside of the bonds of marriage. It is not a sin because, "those gay people are ugly beasts, etc..." add whatever insult you wish here it simply isn't accurate. In living a gay lifestyle, people are breaking the commandment of God in the same way Adam and Eve did, we are placing our own will above that of God's.
Another issue that Christian's today face is that it is not acceptable to interfere with or discuss someone else's sexual activities. Try telling someone that you don't think there sexual behavior is appropriate (say for example sex outside of marriage between two young people gay or otherwise). You will probably get told where to go real quick! Now take another example, for instance drugs. Tell someone that it is not okay to use drugs and you will be applauded. What is the difference, both are sins? The difference is that one has moved inside a norm that society accepts and the other is now outside the norm of society. The problem is that society is using a very warped scale concerning what is right and wrong. In the 60's and 70's drug use was widespread and while not openly condoned it was certainly not looked at as it is today. This 'norm' that we in society use is warped because we are forever changing it. The moral center we as a society once gained from religion and God is now taken from whoever has the stronger lobby in Washington D.C.
Homosexuality is a sin but those who are involved in that particular lifestyle do not in any way deserve the discrimination which has been heaped on them over the years. Neither however, do they as a group (or as individuals) have the right to lobby the state and dictate what I as an Orthodox Christian believe. In deciding this case that is exactly what the Massachusetts high court has done. They have told the Christian church (Orthodox and others) that what the tenants of your faith tell you are wrong and you must change them. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the courts and what decisions are reached. It is also necessary for us as Christians to stand up and say that we will not allow a court to decide the tenants of the Christian faith. If we don't do that, then we are most certainly participating in the sin because we are allowing it to go on.
In the end, instead of 'gay bashing' however, I propose that we as Orthodox Christians look to our own sins first. It was Christ that said, let he who is without sin cast the first stone. No one deserves to be castigated from society but they do deserve to be dealt with in a loving manner.
Stuff to look forward to...
Well, I am sitting at my desk right now getting ready to go to my Modern Greek Language class, well actually I am playing on the computer, and I thought I would leave a note before I went to class. Over the last few days there has been some interesting news that I feel the need to comment on. First, is the great state of Massachusetts high court ruling allowing same sex marriages. Second is that I have started working on a paper for my social ethics class concerning the topic of war. I will publish an excerpt of the paper here because I am interested in hearing your comments. Third and last of the news which I will talk about later today is some other miscellaneous news stories that I have come across. Well for now I should probably head off to Greek. Or...πηγαινω Ελληνας μαθημα. Anyway, more later.
20040203
House keeping matters...
Well, I took care of some minor house keeping matters tonight. I had to remove BlogOut as a comment system since they went off line in case you didn't know. I put in Halo Scan which I heard a few people say good things about and it also had easy installation instructions. Always a plus! So make all the comments you want now :) or feel free to email me by clicking on my name at the bottom of the posts. I don't have time to write any more for now so I will get back here later on...Good night and God Bless!
20040201
Words to ponder on...
I was just getting ready for bed and I was writing a card to a dear friend and I found these words in a prayer book of mine to give to him and I thought I would post them here. I hope they serve to edify all who read them here. God bless!
While you are on earth, regard yourself as a guest of the Host, that is, of Christ. If you are at a table, He honours you thus. If you breathe the air, you breathe His air. If you bathe, you bathe in His water. If you travel, you travel around His earth. If you accumulate goods, you accumulate what is His; if you squander them, you squander what is His. If you are influential, you are so by His permission. If you are in company with others, you are with His other guests. If you are in the countryside, you are in His garden. If you are alone, He is present. If you set off anywhere, He sees you. If you do anything He has it in mind. He is the most careful Host whose guest you have ever been. And be, in your turn, careful towards Him. A good Host merits a good guest. These are simple words, but they speak a great truth to you. All the Saints knew this truth, and they ordered their lives accordingly. Therefore the immortal Host rewarded them with eternal life in heaven and with glory on earth.
More later...
While you are on earth, regard yourself as a guest of the Host, that is, of Christ. If you are at a table, He honours you thus. If you breathe the air, you breathe His air. If you bathe, you bathe in His water. If you travel, you travel around His earth. If you accumulate goods, you accumulate what is His; if you squander them, you squander what is His. If you are influential, you are so by His permission. If you are in company with others, you are with His other guests. If you are in the countryside, you are in His garden. If you are alone, He is present. If you set off anywhere, He sees you. If you do anything He has it in mind. He is the most careful Host whose guest you have ever been. And be, in your turn, careful towards Him. A good Host merits a good guest. These are simple words, but they speak a great truth to you. All the Saints knew this truth, and they ordered their lives accordingly. Therefore the immortal Host rewarded them with eternal life in heaven and with glory on earth.
More later...
