Authors and Topics:
augustine Basil the Great bibliography christ contemplation corinthians deeds Desert education Faith Communities Heart history Holy Spirit humility image Isaac Jesus John Scotus Eriugena knowledge lent modernity monasticism mysticism orthodox paul prayer prayers reading revelation texts tradition virtuesJune
2008
The Unfolding Revelation
The Old Testament proclaimed the Father openly, and the Son more obscurely. The New manifested the Son, and suggested the Deity of the Spirit. Now the Spirit Himself dwells among us, and supplies us with a clearer demonstration of Himself….
For this reason it was, I think, that He gradually came to dwell in the Disciples, measuring Himself out to them according to their capacity to receive Him, at the beginning of the Gospel, after the Passion, after the Ascension, making perfect their powers, being breathed upon them, and appearing in fiery tongues. And indeed it is by little and little that He is declared by Jesus, as you will learn for yourself if you will read more carefully. I will ask the Father, He says, and He will send you another Comforter, even the spirit of Truth. This He said that He might not seem to be a rival God, or to make His discourses to them by another authority. Again, He shall send Him, but it is in My Name. He leaves out the I will ask, but He keeps the Shall send, then again, I will send, His own dignity. Then shall come, the authority of the Spirit.
Gregory Nazianzen (c325-389), Oration 31:26, On the Holy Spirit
June
2008
Imitating Christ
Therefore, although it is true that perfection consists in imitating Christ and reproducing him in our own lives, it is not enough merely to imitate the Christ we have in our imaginations.
We read the Gospels not merely to get a picture or an idea of Christ but to enter in an pass through the words of revelation to establish, by faith, a vital contact with the Christ who dwells in our souls as God.
Thomas Merton, Seeds of Contemplation, Chapter 21
May
2008
The Price
For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthians 6:20
May
2008
The Likeness of God
Everyone is made in God’s image; but to be in His likeness is granted only to those who through great love have brought their own freedom into subjection to God. For only when we do not belong to ourselves do we become like Him who through love has reconciled us to Himself. No one achieves this unless he persuades his soul not to be distracted by the false glitter of this life.
Diadochos of Photik via Word from the Desert
Christianity
Christianity is the dogma of Christ our Saviour. It is composed of Practike [i.e., the ascetical life], of the contemplation [theoria] of the physical world, and of the contemplation of God.
Evagrius, Praktikos, 1
May
2008
An Irish Gem in the West
For just as God is both beyond all things and in all things — for He Who only truly is, is the essence of all things, and while He is whole in all things He does not cease to be whole beyond all things, whole in the world, whole around the world, whole in the sensible creature, whole in the intelligible creature, whole creating the universe, whole created in the universe, whole in the whole of the universe and whole in its parts, since He is both the whole and the part, just as He is neither the whole nor the part — in the same way human nature in its own world (in its own subsistence) in its own universe and in its invisible and visible parts is whole in itself, and whole in its whole, and whole in its parts, and its parts are whole in themselves and whole in the whole.
John Scotus Eriugena. Periphyseon, IV.759a-b
Thanks to Energetic Procession
May
2008
The Name
Try to attain to the full measure of this Name [Jesus], and you will find it on your mouth and on the mouth of your children. When you make high festival and when you rejoice, cry Jesus. When anxious and in pain, cry Jesus. When little boys and girls are laughing, let them cry Jesus. And those who flee before barbarians, cry jesus. And those who go down to the Nile, cry Jesus. … And those whose trial has been corrupted and who receive injustice, let them cry the Name of Jesus.
Shenoute of Atripe (385-466), Abbot of the White Monastery, Sohag, Egypt, Contra Origenistas 821
May
2008
The Prayer of St. Ephrem
O Lord and Master of my life, take from me the spirit of sloth, despondency, lust for power and idle talk.
(Prostration)
But grant unto me, Thy servant, a spirit of chastity, humility, patience and love.
(Prostration)
Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see mine own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
(Prostration)
O God, cleanse Thou me a sinner
(12 times, with as many bows, and then again the whole prayer from the beginning throughout, and after that one great prostration)
St Ephraim the Syrian
May
2008
Tradition
He that will teach himself in school, becomes a scholar to a fool.
St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Epistola 87, 7
May
2008
Fire
Do not give your heart to that which does not satisfy your heart.
Abba Poeman