Elder Porphyrios on Materialism/Attachment

“It is not the quantity of possessions that makes someone propertied or unpropertied, but the attachment of the heart.”

–Elder Porphyrios from Wounded by Love, the Life and Wisdom of Elder Porphyrios

In the Moment

I do not transcend daily duty nor human responsibility.  I will become a victim of the illness of prelest if I do not embrace the humility and responsibility of the mundane tasks required to support others and to be worthy of wage.  Besides, the body, and subsequently the mind, becomes indolent, and eventually the spirit will atrophy when the Christian strives only for heights and does not learn to sanctify the mundane, to allow for the sacramentalization of each task, each moment, each interaction.  Christ is in our midst and there is never a moment when this is not so.  Attunement begins with acknowledgment and invocation of the Spirit on all occasions–when traveling, conversing, planning, executing, cleaning, etc.–and we will begin to trust, to hear, and to feel the sway of the Holy Spirit in the moment.  But let me not be falsely religious or fake in spirit; patience and humility, fixation upon Christ, a ‘listening heart,’ let these inform all activity–and this rule:  ’Do the least selfish thing.’

more on Words…

Words are quite inadequate and will never be a perfected means of expressing Reality, of God’s love in Christ, of the spiritual life, but we mustn’t forsake them as they are a given and sacred means; as spoken by our holy forebear: ‘I believed, therefore I spoke.’

Words, Experience, Knowledge

We can use words to describe experiences, to articulate encounters, to convey realizations, but I am coming to think that knowledge is not measured by one’s ability to articulate with words, this is perhaps more a development or maturation but does not delineate knowledge. When Saint Paul writes in praying that the Church may be ‘filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…’ (Col. 1), he is not referring to realization of verbal code, or written word, but that they would know God ‘Who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.’ How can I attempt to say again what has been said of true knowledge, namely that to come to true knowledge is to become formed at the root of one’s being by sharing in the Light of God?
In a similar way to the way we encounter a cool breeze do we encounter and come to know God–or as also in encountering the warmth of a fire, for a fire we must approach to receive warmth. We know not of the substance of the breeze–’what is it?’–or of the warmth, but we cannot easily deny its presence or effect. We are changed in subtle ways by encounter, the skin is warmed or cooled, hair is shifted from its place on the head, the protection of a jacket is added or removed, we are made aware of need, we are comforted and reminded of the forces that function from without, from which we draw, gain influence, are given life. The breeze reminds us of the air that we breathe, it is as if the air makes itself known in the whisper of the breeze–or, at times, in the force of the hurricane. And it is similar with the warmth of flame and the wildfire. The immediate experience is that of ‘breeze’ or ‘warmth,’ but the actual experience is that of ‘air’ or ‘fire.’ So also it is with the aforementioned ‘light’ that brings knowledge, for what we may encounter as ‘light’ is, in actuality, God. This is not a statement on the nature of God as eternal and uncreated, so I will not attempt to describe the theology of God as uncreated Light, but I am merely commenting on human experience as relates to knowledge.
To mention ‘knowledge of God’ does not imply empirical evidence or proof of the existence of God, we have moved beyond that concern, it means to know God by willful participation in His Life–that life that we all share but do not admit to holding in common. We come to know by encountering the breeze, yes, but also be approaching the fire. We approach the fire by cultivating silence, the inner emptiness of receptivity, and by listening–’he who has ears to hear, let him hear’ (Matt. 11) and ‘be still and know that I am God;’ by retreating unto solitude as did Christ. We also ‘approach the flame’ by approaching the chalice, partaking of the Body and Blood, and thereby becoming members of His very body. We also listen to words, we read from sacred texts, all the while listening with our hearts. The knowledge we seek is that which is present and being made known causing persons to be healed and reconciled, and inviting them unto the transfigurement of eternal life in God, sharing ‘in the inheritance of the saints in Light.’

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additional postscript: I rediscovered a writing from the past that takes even more of a philosopic tone relating to the subject of language and the use of words, Language and Ontology

Surprised by Christ

Today I have been informed that the book written by our beloved priest, Fr. James Bernstein, titled “Surprised by Christ” has now been released. It is a story written as the result of a road travelled, and I would recommend to all to consider purchasing a copy. This book may be especially helpful if you are interested in the comparison of Orthodox Christianity and Protestantism.

“Surprised by Christ is an autobiography, an intellectual history, and a conversion story, and more than these, conveys a spiritual and theological vision in a message that touches people from many different backgrounds. That vision is of the Living God revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant, the life of the Faithful, the hope of the despairing, and the motivation for those who strive to preach the Gospel in all its integrity.”

– Hieromonk Jonah (Paffhausen), Abbot of St. John of San Francisco Monastery in Manton, California (from the foreword to the book)

Click HEREor visit http://www.conciliarpress.com to inquire about this product.

Ignorance

Though we be ignorant we should not pride ourselves in the realization of it.

Solus Christus

“During Holy Week the time for patient teaching and subtleties comes to an end. Now He speaks with forthright boldness, and attacks the Scribes and Pharisees as ‘hypocrites’ and ’sons of vipers’ because they thwarted the work of God by enslaving mankind with impossible laws, while forgetting the precepts of love and mercy. But He is alone with His Father. He has no human ally. This reminds us that Christ alone has won this battle of freedom from death for us, and this is why He alone is the basis of the Christian faith. Christ is alone as He prays in Gethsemane. Christ is alone as He stands before the high priest. Christ is alone as He is judged by Pilate and the jeering crowd. Christ is alone as He is buffeted and mocked. Christ is alone as He carried His Cross to Golgotha. Christ is alone as He suffers and dies upon the Cross.” — An Orthodox Hierarch

To Symeon…

“My soul has long been on pilgrimmage (Ps. 119:6) without finding a true harbor either outside or within myself”
–St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, The Arena, forward

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“In Christ,

“I have become aware of what it is that you lack, that being ‘a firm resolve.’ I recent days you have not taken to morning and evening prayer, prefering to sleep and excuse yourself from giving God due glory and loving your neighbor by way of prayer. This life is but one, your action is subject to your choosing, and where does your treasure lie? Do you want physical bread or the bread that comes down from heaven? The choice is yours. If you choose the former you will be unsatisfied, frustrated and regretful. This grace of God given in the latter ‘is new every morning,’ but you must arise to if you with to receive it. If you believe the day to be your own, ‘for the taking,’ then seek satisfaction and your reward will be given you now, but I can assure you that you will be deceived in this way.
“To arise that God may ‘grant you a good beginning’ you must follow the path set before you by our Holy Fathers. Begin with prayer before all else–unless you need a splash of cold water on the face first!–pray that God would clothe you with grace as you arise in the resurrection of Christ. Make use of the prayer book using appropriate prayers and intercessions, but also pray reading from the Psalter, perhaps chanting three Psalms morning and night, maybe more as you progress. And engage in the use of the Jesus Prayer, which allows the mind to descend and settle in the heart, so that you may come to dwell in the silent presence of God, Who makes Himself known to those who call upon His name with persistence–in faith, hope, and love. You may also ask of yourself: ‘Do I truly believe?’ If you do, it will strengthen your resolve and inform your actions in al places, at all times. Do not hesitate to do what is most difficult in the service of God and fellow-man, in doing this you will become purified of ego and passions.
“Next to beginning and ending the day in prayer–which you should do regardless of how you ‘feel’–make the effort to read the prescribed passages from the Holy Scripture daily (at minimum)–this effort is not to ‘gain’ salvation, which cannot be bought by action, but to work out salvation and to aid in the salvation of others. You must also come to know the Saints as friends, fathers, and mothers, these ones who sold all for the sake of the Gospel. Do you wish to honor God and love your neighbor? The imitate the Saints in heart, mind, and deed.
“These things along with regular communion, confession, and corporate prayer will be the beginning of the path to salvation. You must believe and have a firm resolve in order to sacrifice all for the sake of the Kingdom. ‘He who wishes to save his life will lose it, but he who loses his life for My sake will find it.’
“God grant you grace and a good beginning!”

Blood

Greetings in Christ,

My withdrawal continues, though it is not permanent. I have recently begun a new position with our regional blood center, working on mobile blood drives, and continue to spend most of my time away from work with my family at home, or in learning more about the liturgical life of the Church by participation. Though I have never proven myself to be prolific, due to my limited contributions to the blogosphere–I have rarely been on the internet lately–I will refer you to a blog that I have just recently been referred to: Ora et Labora. You will find frequent postings on this site that are rooted in the life of the Church by way of maintaining a Patristic frame-of-reference.

And in regard to the ascetical spiritual life this adage:

“…give blood, receive spirit…”

(quoted from Saint Gregory Palamas as a Hagiorite, Met. Hierotheos Vlachos, pg. 133–no direct correlation between my current job and this quote is intended).

I do intend to begin to write more, and post (slightly) more frequently in the future–perhaps after Great Lent. To those who do visit, thank you, know that you are loved.

In Christ always,

Symeon

Fasting

I have been somewhat withdrawn recently, writing less, considering withdrawing from the “blogosphere.” As for now, I’ll continue to post the occassional quote or theological reflection. I do not have much to say, and what thoughts and realizations I do have are quite pale in comparison to what has been testified to by my forebears–and many of my contemporaries.

Here is one of the quintessential lenten quotes, oft-referenced by Orthodox during this time of year:

“The value of fasting consists not in the abstinence only from food, but in a relinquishment of sinful practices, since he who limits his fasting only to an abstinence from meat is he who especially disparages it. Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works. If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see a friend enjoying honor, do not envy him. for let not the mouth only fast, but also the eye, and the ear, and the feet, and the hands, and all the members of our bodies. Let the hands fast by being pure of avarice. Let the feet fast by ceasing from running to forbidden spectacles. Let the eyes fast by being taught never to fix themselves rudely upon handsome countenances. For looking is the food of the eyes, but if it be unlawful or forbidden it mars the fast and overturns the safety of the soul; but if it be lawful and safe, it adorns fasting. For it would be an instance of the highest absurdity to abstain from meats and unlawful food because of the fast, but with the eyes to feed on what is forbidden. Do you not eat flesh? Do not feed on licentiousness by means of the eyes. Let the ear fast also. The fasting of the ear is not to receive evil speaking and calumnies. ‘You shall not receive an idle report,’ it says. Let also the mouth fast from foul words. For what does it profit if we abstain from birds and fish, and bite and devour our brethren?”

—Saint John Chrysostom, Lenten Homily