Being Human
Alana has been discussing some meaningful things regarding creation on her blog lately. It is funny because I had been thinking about things along those lines, only way less insightfully .
My comment on her blog said something to the effect that I feel more human than ever, being Orthodox. I should have said I feel allowed to be more human than ever. I don't mean this in the sense of things like "well, I'm only human." I mean I feel like I am slowly moving towards something that resembles what true humanity is. I'm sure not there yet, but at least I know there is a goal in sight.
On our trip, I picked up a copy of a great little book at Holy Virgin Cathedral in SanFrancisco (where the uncorrupt body of St. John Maximovitch rests...and waoh, is that a whole other post!). The book, by Mother Raphaela of Holy Myrrbearers Monastery in New York, is called Life in Christ. She touches on the balance between fasting and feasting, repentance and joy; and that while the world is a fallen place full of death and the poison of sin, God, in Christ, entered His own creation, providing a pathway to life, fullness, sanity, holiness and purity restored.
I like this quote, the end of her chapter on silence:
"Let us who call ourselves Christians...begin to enter into this fellowship with our God. In silence and prayer, let us come to know Him, ourselves, one another, and the whole of creation, as we exist together in the Trinity of Persons who creates, sustains and redeems all things and all men."
Therein lies the freedom to rejoice in creation and take joy in life...we exist together in our restoration. There is purpose in life: Communion with God and with His creation, human, plant or animal. There is a true goal: Theosis, restoration of our true humanity.
While I'm not there yet, I know where I should be headed...and there is great comfort in that.
Alana has been discussing some meaningful things regarding creation on her blog lately. It is funny because I had been thinking about things along those lines, only way less insightfully .
My comment on her blog said something to the effect that I feel more human than ever, being Orthodox. I should have said I feel allowed to be more human than ever. I don't mean this in the sense of things like "well, I'm only human." I mean I feel like I am slowly moving towards something that resembles what true humanity is. I'm sure not there yet, but at least I know there is a goal in sight.
On our trip, I picked up a copy of a great little book at Holy Virgin Cathedral in SanFrancisco (where the uncorrupt body of St. John Maximovitch rests...and waoh, is that a whole other post!). The book, by Mother Raphaela of Holy Myrrbearers Monastery in New York, is called Life in Christ. She touches on the balance between fasting and feasting, repentance and joy; and that while the world is a fallen place full of death and the poison of sin, God, in Christ, entered His own creation, providing a pathway to life, fullness, sanity, holiness and purity restored.
I like this quote, the end of her chapter on silence:
"Let us who call ourselves Christians...begin to enter into this fellowship with our God. In silence and prayer, let us come to know Him, ourselves, one another, and the whole of creation, as we exist together in the Trinity of Persons who creates, sustains and redeems all things and all men."
Therein lies the freedom to rejoice in creation and take joy in life...we exist together in our restoration. There is purpose in life: Communion with God and with His creation, human, plant or animal. There is a true goal: Theosis, restoration of our true humanity.
While I'm not there yet, I know where I should be headed...and there is great comfort in that.
2 Comments:
Beautiful post! I'll look for that book...oops, gotta go wipe someone's butt!
Sara, I know just what you mean.
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