This was Matt and Jeff's blog. Jeff was unhappy with the way this blog went and wanted to bring in other people. You can see the new blog at http://rub-a-dub.blogspot.com Feel free to read through the archives here. Lots of interesting stuff. Then, pleas join us at rub-a-dub.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Baking french sweet batard today. Got me to thinking about the prayers jewish women say when baking challah. Wanted to know if there is a similar Christian custom. Found this site. Not the kind of thing I was looking for, but still very cool.
The last two sessions of my medical law and ethics class have been very interesting and encouraging. Of the forty students in the class the religion breakdown is something like this:
Devout Roman Catholics: 11 (mostly Filipinas)
Less devout/lapsed/cultural Roman Catholics: 6
Devout Orthodox: 2
Less devout/lapsed/cultural Orthodox:2
Siekh: 1
Devout Baptist: 2
Cultural Baptist: 1
Anglican (from Kenya):1
Assyrian: 1
Muslim: 3
Hindu: 5
Unknown: 5
This group of people each gave their presentations on current bioethical issues. Everone of them, except the cultural Baptist, came down hard as anti-abortion, anti-euthanasia, anti-IVF, anti-cloning, anti-assisted suicide, anti-embryonic stem cell research. I was amazed!
Here are a few of quotes from the presentations:
From a devout Baptist: "I am opposed to doctors killing their patients. If my doctor killed the person in the bed next to mine, why should I trust him to try to help me?" "There was a time when people who killed others covered their heads in black hoods. Killing people is shameful. The people who heal us should not be the people who kill us."
From a cultural Catholic: "My husband had a stroke and was unconscious and on a ventelator for 3 weeks. The doctor's said he wouldn't get better. During that three weeks he had a heart attack. All the doctors kept asking me if I wanted to pull the plug. They never told me to but I could tell they wanted me to. But I didn't want the weight of that decsion on my shoulders. After three weeks he woke up. After two months his mind was back. Now he even has a beter memory than me. He is paralyzed on one side, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything he wants to do."
From a Hindu: "There is no excuse for using embryos for research. They are are not able to give their consent to it."
From cultural Orthodox: "It is wrong to kill yourself. It is wrong to ask someone to help you kill yourself. The government should not encourage it."
From the Anglican: "Africa is dying."
Most of the people in this class are in their early 20's. The professor who thinks IVF, abortion, and euthanasia are acceptable is in her 50's. I think this bodes well for the future.
In other matters....
A few days ago I had a conversation with my friend Mateo about something or other, and the doctrine of the Trinity came up. He said that RCs believe (I hope I am not mis-stating what he said) that the Father and the Son love each other and that the love is the Holy Spirit. I said that Orthodox would not go that far, but would say that because the love of the Father and the Son is perfect there can also be love for the Holy Spirit without jealousy or resentment.
But last night, I was reading "The Bible and Holy Fathers for Orthodx". The reading for the 9th Wednesday after Pentecost (Liturgucally speaking, Wednesday starts on Tuesday evening.) The assigned passage from the Apostol was 1 Cor. 13:4 - 14:5. One of the comentators given to explain the passage was St. Augustine of Hippo.
He said in his book "On the Trinity": "What is charity which the divine Scriptures praise and preach, but the love of God? Now love is felt by a lover, and by love an object is loved. So here we have three things: a lover, a beloved, and love. And what is love but a kind of life whice links, or seeks to link some two things, the lover and the loved?...We are not now talking about heavenly things of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but about man, the image of God, an image on a different plane, but still God's image ... When I love anything there are three things: myself, the object I love, and the love. But ... when a man loves himself there are two: the love and the loved." (If I hadn't stopped my reading of the Church Fathers at the end of the 3rd Century I would have read this book. It is now on my list.)
And that is when I realized that the thing I told my friend the Orthodox belive, I really learned from Francis Schaeffer's book, "He Is There and He Is Not Silent" when I was a kid of 14 years.
So, now I wonder, how much of what I believe and think is Orthodox is tainted by my Protestant upbringing? How do I lay the ax to the root?
One more thing: Last night after reading I prayed for all of my sons. (I have three.) Now that in itself is not unusual, I pray for them all the time. But last night I prayed to Mary, the Mother of God. And I KNEW, absolutely KNEW that if she asked her Son for something He would not deny her. And it was an amazing experience. I think it was the first time I had prayed to her and had a "heart experience" and did not just pray to her out of head knowledge. So, I need to thank Karl, thanks for posting that thing about the Queen Mother. (See my post of August 2nd if you do not know what I am talking about.)
Oh, one more thing: In my reading of the Prologue of Ohrid yesterday I read about St. Salome the Myrrh-bearer. I mention it because it informs the discussion Jeff and I were having on the Ever-virginity of Mary. Here is what it says:
"Salome was the mother of the Apostles James and John, the wife of Zebedee, and the daughter of Joseph the betrothed of the All-holy Theotokos. She served the Lord during his earthly life, and was deemed worthy to be among the first to proclaim His Resurrection."
I am noly now beginning to see how what a family affair the early church was. I think I need to make a line diagram to understand this.
Devout Roman Catholics: 11 (mostly Filipinas)
Less devout/lapsed/cultural Roman Catholics: 6
Devout Orthodox: 2
Less devout/lapsed/cultural Orthodox:2
Siekh: 1
Devout Baptist: 2
Cultural Baptist: 1
Anglican (from Kenya):1
Assyrian: 1
Muslim: 3
Hindu: 5
Unknown: 5
This group of people each gave their presentations on current bioethical issues. Everone of them, except the cultural Baptist, came down hard as anti-abortion, anti-euthanasia, anti-IVF, anti-cloning, anti-assisted suicide, anti-embryonic stem cell research. I was amazed!
Here are a few of quotes from the presentations:
From a devout Baptist: "I am opposed to doctors killing their patients. If my doctor killed the person in the bed next to mine, why should I trust him to try to help me?" "There was a time when people who killed others covered their heads in black hoods. Killing people is shameful. The people who heal us should not be the people who kill us."
From a cultural Catholic: "My husband had a stroke and was unconscious and on a ventelator for 3 weeks. The doctor's said he wouldn't get better. During that three weeks he had a heart attack. All the doctors kept asking me if I wanted to pull the plug. They never told me to but I could tell they wanted me to. But I didn't want the weight of that decsion on my shoulders. After three weeks he woke up. After two months his mind was back. Now he even has a beter memory than me. He is paralyzed on one side, but that doesn't stop him from doing anything he wants to do."
From a Hindu: "There is no excuse for using embryos for research. They are are not able to give their consent to it."
From cultural Orthodox: "It is wrong to kill yourself. It is wrong to ask someone to help you kill yourself. The government should not encourage it."
From the Anglican: "Africa is dying."
Most of the people in this class are in their early 20's. The professor who thinks IVF, abortion, and euthanasia are acceptable is in her 50's. I think this bodes well for the future.
In other matters....
A few days ago I had a conversation with my friend Mateo about something or other, and the doctrine of the Trinity came up. He said that RCs believe (I hope I am not mis-stating what he said) that the Father and the Son love each other and that the love is the Holy Spirit. I said that Orthodox would not go that far, but would say that because the love of the Father and the Son is perfect there can also be love for the Holy Spirit without jealousy or resentment.
But last night, I was reading "The Bible and Holy Fathers for Orthodx". The reading for the 9th Wednesday after Pentecost (Liturgucally speaking, Wednesday starts on Tuesday evening.) The assigned passage from the Apostol was 1 Cor. 13:4 - 14:5. One of the comentators given to explain the passage was St. Augustine of Hippo.
He said in his book "On the Trinity": "What is charity which the divine Scriptures praise and preach, but the love of God? Now love is felt by a lover, and by love an object is loved. So here we have three things: a lover, a beloved, and love. And what is love but a kind of life whice links, or seeks to link some two things, the lover and the loved?...We are not now talking about heavenly things of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, but about man, the image of God, an image on a different plane, but still God's image ... When I love anything there are three things: myself, the object I love, and the love. But ... when a man loves himself there are two: the love and the loved." (If I hadn't stopped my reading of the Church Fathers at the end of the 3rd Century I would have read this book. It is now on my list.)
And that is when I realized that the thing I told my friend the Orthodox belive, I really learned from Francis Schaeffer's book, "He Is There and He Is Not Silent" when I was a kid of 14 years.
So, now I wonder, how much of what I believe and think is Orthodox is tainted by my Protestant upbringing? How do I lay the ax to the root?
One more thing: Last night after reading I prayed for all of my sons. (I have three.) Now that in itself is not unusual, I pray for them all the time. But last night I prayed to Mary, the Mother of God. And I KNEW, absolutely KNEW that if she asked her Son for something He would not deny her. And it was an amazing experience. I think it was the first time I had prayed to her and had a "heart experience" and did not just pray to her out of head knowledge. So, I need to thank Karl, thanks for posting that thing about the Queen Mother. (See my post of August 2nd if you do not know what I am talking about.)
Oh, one more thing: In my reading of the Prologue of Ohrid yesterday I read about St. Salome the Myrrh-bearer. I mention it because it informs the discussion Jeff and I were having on the Ever-virginity of Mary. Here is what it says:
"Salome was the mother of the Apostles James and John, the wife of Zebedee, and the daughter of Joseph the betrothed of the All-holy Theotokos. She served the Lord during his earthly life, and was deemed worthy to be among the first to proclaim His Resurrection."
I am noly now beginning to see how what a family affair the early church was. I think I need to make a line diagram to understand this.
Tuesday, August 03, 2004
Lentil Pate
INGREDIENTS
1 cup lentils
1 sprig thyme, chopped
1 bayleaf
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil (but during the Fast use soy oil)
2 carrots, chopped
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons oregeno, chopped
2 tablspoonsarrowroot (disolved in 1 tablespoon water)
1 teaspoon sea salt (or other non-iodine table salt)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups water
TOOLS
8-inch sautee pan
2 quart sauce pan
Food processor
Small bowl
Wooden spoon or other stirer
Chef's knife
2 bread pans
Parchment paper
In the 2 quart sauce pan, cook lentils, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and time in 3 cupswater until water is absorbed (about 20 minutes).
While lentils are cooking, sautee the onions and garlic in small amount of oil, until soft. Add carrots and stir for a few minutes until they are soft, too. Then add carrots, onions, and garlic to lentils and cook another 10 minutes, stiring well, and adding black pepper.
Put all ingredients into the food processor and puree. Return mixture to the sauce pan.
In a small bowl, mix 1 Tbsp arrowroot in 2 Tbsp water. Then add the arrowroot/water mixture to the pan. Stir well.
Place whole mixture in a oiled breadpan, smooth it out in the pan, cover with parchment paper, and put the second bread pan into the first one, pressing down HARD!
Put in 300 degree (F) oven for 20 minutes.
Take out of oven and chill in refrigerator.
For a more beautiful presentation, make the patee as described above but use "green" lentils. But before putting parchment papaper over the patee, make another batch with "red" lentils and put it on top of the first batch. Then do the parchment paper, pressing, baking and chilling steps.
If you want a less stiff patee, you can skip the baking step.
INGREDIENTS
1 cup lentils
1 sprig thyme, chopped
1 bayleaf
1 medium onion, chopped
6 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon olive oil (but during the Fast use soy oil)
2 carrots, chopped
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons oregeno, chopped
2 tablspoonsarrowroot (disolved in 1 tablespoon water)
1 teaspoon sea salt (or other non-iodine table salt)
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups water
TOOLS
8-inch sautee pan
2 quart sauce pan
Food processor
Small bowl
Wooden spoon or other stirer
Chef's knife
2 bread pans
Parchment paper
In the 2 quart sauce pan, cook lentils, parsley, bay leaf, salt, and time in 3 cupswater until water is absorbed (about 20 minutes).
While lentils are cooking, sautee the onions and garlic in small amount of oil, until soft. Add carrots and stir for a few minutes until they are soft, too. Then add carrots, onions, and garlic to lentils and cook another 10 minutes, stiring well, and adding black pepper.
Put all ingredients into the food processor and puree. Return mixture to the sauce pan.
In a small bowl, mix 1 Tbsp arrowroot in 2 Tbsp water. Then add the arrowroot/water mixture to the pan. Stir well.
Place whole mixture in a oiled breadpan, smooth it out in the pan, cover with parchment paper, and put the second bread pan into the first one, pressing down HARD!
Put in 300 degree (F) oven for 20 minutes.
Take out of oven and chill in refrigerator.
For a more beautiful presentation, make the patee as described above but use "green" lentils. But before putting parchment papaper over the patee, make another batch with "red" lentils and put it on top of the first batch. Then do the parchment paper, pressing, baking and chilling steps.
If you want a less stiff patee, you can skip the baking step.
Jeff, if you get a chance you should check out this blog by a friend of my son's godfather. It is all about food. I think you would like it. Oh, and I have met her, she is really a nice person, besides being an intense blogger.
Monday, August 02, 2004
A member of my parish has turned me on to T.S. Eliot. I never read his stuff before. Check this out...
"The world is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time; so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and to save the world from suicide."
T.S. Eliot, Thoughts After Lambeth
"The world is trying the experiment of attempting to form a civilized but non-Christian mentality. The experiment will fail; but we must be very patient in awaiting its collapse; meanwhile redeeming the time; so that the Faith may be preserved alive through the dark ages before us; to renew and rebuild civilization, and to save the world from suicide."
T.S. Eliot, Thoughts After Lambeth
Last Friday, My co-religigionist, Karl posted this on his blog. I thought it was worth repeating:
Friday, July 30, 2004 ::
The Queen Mother and the Dormition
Starting next week Orthodox Christians will begin the two week fast in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition. I thought what Silouan posted on a discussion group a few weeks ago was pertinent.
Traditionally, next to the throne of the King was a second throne. Many would assume that the second throne belonged to the wife of the King, but in ancient Israel it belonged to the mother of the king.
There is an Aramaic word, "Gebirah", which means "Queen Mother". The Gebirah was an official position, one with which everyone (Jesus and His disciples included) was entirely familiar. Her role was as an advocate of the people. Anyone who had a petition or sought an audience with the King did so through her.
This role is mentioned in several passages from the OT:
1 Kings 15:13--"He also deposed his Maacah from her position as queen mother."
2 Kings 10:13--"We are kinsmen of Ahaziah," they replied. "We are going down to visit the princes and the family of the queen mother."
Jeremiah 13:18--"Say to the king and to the queen mother: come down from your throne."
Her specific place of honor and intercession is dramatically illustrated in the following passage from 1 Kings 2:13-21--
"Adonijah, son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon. "Do you come as a friend?" she asked. "Yes," he answered, and added, "I have something to say to you." She replied, "Say it." So he said: "...There is one favor I would ask of you. Do not refuse me." And she said, "Speak on."
He said, "Please ask King Solomon, who will not refuse you, to give me Abishag the Shunamite for my wife." "Very well," replied Bathsheba, "I will speak to the king for you." Then Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, and the king stood up to meet her and paid her homage. Then he sat down upon his throne, and a throne was provided for the king's mother, who sat at his right. "There is one small favor I would ask of you," she said. "Do not refuse me." "Ask it, my mother," the king said to her, "for I will not refuse you."
Of particular import are the following observations:
1.Adonijah assumed that the queen mother would approach the King on his behalf; he trusted her.
2. The reaction of the King is noteworthy: he stood up to meet her and paid her homage.
3. A throne was provided for her and she sat at his right.
4. Her power as intercessor is stressed by the repetition of the idea that the king "will not refuse her".
Friday, July 30, 2004 ::
The Queen Mother and the Dormition
Starting next week Orthodox Christians will begin the two week fast in preparation for the Feast of the Dormition. I thought what Silouan posted on a discussion group a few weeks ago was pertinent.
Traditionally, next to the throne of the King was a second throne. Many would assume that the second throne belonged to the wife of the King, but in ancient Israel it belonged to the mother of the king.
There is an Aramaic word, "Gebirah", which means "Queen Mother". The Gebirah was an official position, one with which everyone (Jesus and His disciples included) was entirely familiar. Her role was as an advocate of the people. Anyone who had a petition or sought an audience with the King did so through her.
This role is mentioned in several passages from the OT:
1 Kings 15:13--"He also deposed his Maacah from her position as queen mother."
2 Kings 10:13--"We are kinsmen of Ahaziah," they replied. "We are going down to visit the princes and the family of the queen mother."
Jeremiah 13:18--"Say to the king and to the queen mother: come down from your throne."
Her specific place of honor and intercession is dramatically illustrated in the following passage from 1 Kings 2:13-21--
"Adonijah, son of Haggith, went to Bathsheba, the mother of Solomon. "Do you come as a friend?" she asked. "Yes," he answered, and added, "I have something to say to you." She replied, "Say it." So he said: "...There is one favor I would ask of you. Do not refuse me." And she said, "Speak on."
He said, "Please ask King Solomon, who will not refuse you, to give me Abishag the Shunamite for my wife." "Very well," replied Bathsheba, "I will speak to the king for you." Then Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah, and the king stood up to meet her and paid her homage. Then he sat down upon his throne, and a throne was provided for the king's mother, who sat at his right. "There is one small favor I would ask of you," she said. "Do not refuse me." "Ask it, my mother," the king said to her, "for I will not refuse you."
Of particular import are the following observations:
1.Adonijah assumed that the queen mother would approach the King on his behalf; he trusted her.
2. The reaction of the King is noteworthy: he stood up to meet her and paid her homage.
3. A throne was provided for her and she sat at his right.
4. Her power as intercessor is stressed by the repetition of the idea that the king "will not refuse her".
Islam is such a misunderstood religion. So many people think it is evil, when in reality it is a religion of peace and love. Yeah, right.
Doxos reminds us of the Second Canon, Ode 9, 8th tone: "In Thy majesty ride forth victoriously, Son of the Mother of God. Subdue the people of Ishmael that fight against us. Grant Thine invincible cross to Orthodox Christians who call on Thee for Help.
Doxos reminds us of the Second Canon, Ode 9, 8th tone: "In Thy majesty ride forth victoriously, Son of the Mother of God. Subdue the people of Ishmael that fight against us. Grant Thine invincible cross to Orthodox Christians who call on Thee for Help.
Lot's of of interesting stuff to write about.
I am the lone perfect score in my Medical Law and Ethics class. The other person who also had a pperfect score lost 20 points last thursday. I have a final next thursday. If I fail the final I will get a B in the class. Of course, my goal is not a B, or even an A. My goal is 800 out of 800 points.
Went to Angel Island on Saturday morning. We saw an Amphibious Assault Ship sail in under the Golden Gate Bridge. I love riding the ferry across the bay. Then most of the afternoon was spent at church waiting around for a contractor to show up. I do not understand contractors who keep you waiting like that. They are worse than physicians and dentists.
Oh, about the changes. Looks like My friend George is too busy to blog with me and Jeff. But BryGuy wants to be part of the blog. He will have access later today. I think he will add a certain something to the blog that one does not often see outside of Silicon Valley. (Although, for some reason that I do not understand, he lives in Idaho.)
Dormition Fast Started yesterday. Loving it. Also, yesterday was the Feast of the Procession of the Cross.
No one signed up to make lunch after the Divine Liturgy yesterday. And coffee was not enough to sate our hunger. So, we went to the old neighborhood and popped in at We Be Sushi, where we ate their fabulous home meade miso soupebi nigiri, tako nigiri, kapa maki, abd steamed soy beans. It was very good. San Francisco is the best place for Orthodox fasting.
Oh, George, you ought to check out this church in L.A.. I heard a story about it on KQED-FM the other day. Apparently, it is one of the most beautiful churches in California.
I am the lone perfect score in my Medical Law and Ethics class. The other person who also had a pperfect score lost 20 points last thursday. I have a final next thursday. If I fail the final I will get a B in the class. Of course, my goal is not a B, or even an A. My goal is 800 out of 800 points.
Went to Angel Island on Saturday morning. We saw an Amphibious Assault Ship sail in under the Golden Gate Bridge. I love riding the ferry across the bay. Then most of the afternoon was spent at church waiting around for a contractor to show up. I do not understand contractors who keep you waiting like that. They are worse than physicians and dentists.
Oh, about the changes. Looks like My friend George is too busy to blog with me and Jeff. But BryGuy wants to be part of the blog. He will have access later today. I think he will add a certain something to the blog that one does not often see outside of Silicon Valley. (Although, for some reason that I do not understand, he lives in Idaho.)
Dormition Fast Started yesterday. Loving it. Also, yesterday was the Feast of the Procession of the Cross.
No one signed up to make lunch after the Divine Liturgy yesterday. And coffee was not enough to sate our hunger. So, we went to the old neighborhood and popped in at We Be Sushi, where we ate their fabulous home meade miso soupebi nigiri, tako nigiri, kapa maki, abd steamed soy beans. It was very good. San Francisco is the best place for Orthodox fasting.
Oh, George, you ought to check out this church in L.A.. I heard a story about it on KQED-FM the other day. Apparently, it is one of the most beautiful churches in California.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
I never feel like we cover the same ground over and over. However, I have often felt that just when we get started on something you disappear or change the subject. Or when you do adress something you throw out a statement and offer no support for it. I often feel like you just want to do witty banter, as though we are at a blogosphere cocktail party. That is not what I am interested in.
A couple times you've said I don't question the teaching of the Church. My questioning began when I was a Protestant. You don't seem to realize that for the most part, I believed Orthodox doctrine before I knew anything about the Orthodox Church. For instance, it was during the late 90's that I began to believe in aposotlic succession and the real presence of Jesus in the eucharist.
But if you are too busy, you are too busy. I'm sorry you've felt pressure to be part of something in which you weren't interested.
A couple times you've said I don't question the teaching of the Church. My questioning began when I was a Protestant. You don't seem to realize that for the most part, I believed Orthodox doctrine before I knew anything about the Orthodox Church. For instance, it was during the late 90's that I began to believe in aposotlic succession and the real presence of Jesus in the eucharist.
But if you are too busy, you are too busy. I'm sorry you've felt pressure to be part of something in which you weren't interested.
Jeff, I am worried that if you try to do two blogs you will do neither of them well. Already you have trouble keeping up/paying attention to this one. This is evident by your infrequent posts and misreading (as though you skim) of my posts. Tell me what you are thinking. Why do you want to do two blogs if just one is so difficult for you?
Also you ought to check out the comments to my post of 12:12 am on July 21. It is interesting to me that our blog serves as a forum for other people to have conversations.
Also you ought to check out the comments to my post of 12:12 am on July 21. It is interesting to me that our blog serves as a forum for other people to have conversations.
Fr. R.J. Neuhaus says about the Roman Catholics ordaining women,"...it would be the end of any hope for reconciliation with Orthodoxy, for, if there is anything certain in history, it is certain that the Orthodox will never ordain women",in an essay published in the current edition of First Things.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
For some strange reason, Dems think these photos are embarassing to Sen. Kerry. Proabably no one dislike the Dems as much as I do, and probably noone likes pointing out their failures more than I do, but I can't figure out why anyone thinks this is a big deal. I mean, Senators go on tours of Gov't facilities all the time. I remember a congressman or something going through Air Assault School when I was at Ft. Campbell. Nobody thought that was weird. We thought it was dangerous for the politician because he wasn't physically fit, but heck, nobody thought it was wrong. What I think is that the Dems are looking for something they can label "Republican Dirty Tricks".
Something written by St. Tikhon (He is one of the patrons of my parish):
"If someone should say that true faith is the correct holding and confession of correct dogmas, he would be telling the truth, for a believer absolutely needs the Orthodox holding and confession of dogmas. But this knowledge and confession by itself does not make a man a faithful and true Christian. The keeping and confession of Orthodox dogmas is always to be found in true faith in Christ, but the true faith of Christ is not always to be found in the confession of Orthodoxy... The knowledge of correct dogmas is in the mind, and it is often fruitless, arrogant, and proud... The true faith in Christ is in the heart, and it is fruitful, humble, patient, loving, merciful, compassionate, hungering and thirsting for righteousness; it withdraws from worldly lusts and clings to God alone, strives and seeks always for what is heavenly and eternal, struggles against every sin, and constantly seeks and begs help from God for this."
"If someone should say that true faith is the correct holding and confession of correct dogmas, he would be telling the truth, for a believer absolutely needs the Orthodox holding and confession of dogmas. But this knowledge and confession by itself does not make a man a faithful and true Christian. The keeping and confession of Orthodox dogmas is always to be found in true faith in Christ, but the true faith of Christ is not always to be found in the confession of Orthodoxy... The knowledge of correct dogmas is in the mind, and it is often fruitless, arrogant, and proud... The true faith in Christ is in the heart, and it is fruitful, humble, patient, loving, merciful, compassionate, hungering and thirsting for righteousness; it withdraws from worldly lusts and clings to God alone, strives and seeks always for what is heavenly and eternal, struggles against every sin, and constantly seeks and begs help from God for this."
Weeee!!!!! I just got my complete Financial Aid package for school! I have to tell you something, first. A couple of days ago I found out the the IRS is after me for 2002. It was an error I made that is costing me thousands of dollars. In 2002 it would not have been a problem. But right now it is a huge problem. (I've been reading up on federal prisons.) But, now I will have the money to pay my taxes AND afford day care for my little boy one day a week so I can take a chemistry class!!! I am so relieved!
Thank you God!
Thank you, Mother of God!
Thank you, St. Matthew!
Thank you, St. Nicholas!
Thank you, St. Elizabeth!
Thank you, St. Panteleimon!
Thank you, St. John!
Thank you God!
Thank you, Mother of God!
Thank you, St. Matthew!
Thank you, St. Nicholas!
Thank you, St. Elizabeth!
Thank you, St. Panteleimon!
Thank you, St. John!
Monday, July 26, 2004
Thinking more about your post of 9:38 this morning. I think that part of the reason the Liturgy does not get stale is that it is something we anticipate all week long. It is the culmination of a week of prayers, especially on the last few days of the week when we pray canons at home and then join with the rest of the church for the Vigil on Saturday night.
Also, about the contents of the liturgy and their effect on me, there is a time during the liturgy, called the anaphora, when the bread and wine are transformed by the Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus. Something else happens right then. I'll give you the text so you can see it yourself. It is electrifying. It is the most amazing thing. I think it is how we approach the cup without getting killed. My comments are in parentheses):
"Priest : Remembering, therefore, this command of the Savior, and all that came to pass for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand of the Father, and the second, glorious coming we offer to You these gifts from Your own gifts in all and for all.
(Notice that we are remembering things that have not happened. How? During the liturgy we exist not just on earth but in the kingdom of Heaven. We are in Christ. He is eternal and remebers all things even things that have not yet happened in thime. And also notice that we are giving something to God, we are giving him not our corrupt selves, but something he has given to us.)
People: We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.
Priest: Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we ask, pray, and entreat You: send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here presented.
(Did you catch that? The Holy Spirit does not just come on the bread and wine, He comes upon "us", and He is the Spirit of Life. There can be no staleness where He is. And He is the One who enables us to offer ourselves to God, and offer the Bread and Wine to God.)
And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ.
People: Amen.
Priest: And that which is in this cup the precious Blood of Your Christ.
People: Amen.
Priest: Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
People: Amen. Amen. Amen.
(Christ is present! Stale? Are you kidding me? It is the most amazing thing in the Universe, that God would become bread and wine, to be eaten by people. And I am witness to it everytime I am at the Liturgy.)
Also, about the contents of the liturgy and their effect on me, there is a time during the liturgy, called the anaphora, when the bread and wine are transformed by the Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus. Something else happens right then. I'll give you the text so you can see it yourself. It is electrifying. It is the most amazing thing. I think it is how we approach the cup without getting killed. My comments are in parentheses):
"Priest : Remembering, therefore, this command of the Savior, and all that came to pass for our sake, the cross, the tomb, the resurrection on the third day, the ascension into heaven, the enthronement at the right hand of the Father, and the second, glorious coming we offer to You these gifts from Your own gifts in all and for all.
(Notice that we are remembering things that have not happened. How? During the liturgy we exist not just on earth but in the kingdom of Heaven. We are in Christ. He is eternal and remebers all things even things that have not yet happened in thime. And also notice that we are giving something to God, we are giving him not our corrupt selves, but something he has given to us.)
People: We praise You, we bless You, we give thanks to You, and we pray to You, Lord our God.
Priest: Once again we offer to You this spiritual worship without the shedding of blood, and we ask, pray, and entreat You: send down Your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts here presented.
(Did you catch that? The Holy Spirit does not just come on the bread and wine, He comes upon "us", and He is the Spirit of Life. There can be no staleness where He is. And He is the One who enables us to offer ourselves to God, and offer the Bread and Wine to God.)
And make this bread the precious Body of Your Christ.
People: Amen.
Priest: And that which is in this cup the precious Blood of Your Christ.
People: Amen.
Priest: Changing them by Your Holy Spirit.
People: Amen. Amen. Amen.
(Christ is present! Stale? Are you kidding me? It is the most amazing thing in the Universe, that God would become bread and wine, to be eaten by people. And I am witness to it everytime I am at the Liturgy.)
Jeff, I know you don't read the comments (heck, you harley read what I post.) but Karl saw your question about staleness and directes you to this site. (And after reading it I wish I'd read it a long time ago. The author has been known to me a long time from the Yahoo "Orthodox-Convert" list. I had no idea he had such a well developed web-site.
More filler as we are waiting for you for you to get back to me...
A Lutheran priest from SoCal visited our parish two sundays ago. (He is attending a summer session at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.) We had a nice talk during breakfast after liturgy. He was surprised that I had read Luther's Comentary on Romans ("Most Lutherans don't even read that!") I think he will wind up converting to Orthodoxy. His story kinda remided me of Jaroslav Pelikans. He just realized he'd always been Orthodox. I think that is a little bit like what happened to me. Anyway, here are some Jaroslav Pelikan quotes:
"The only alternative to Tradition is bad tradition."
"I'm aware of it [the modern discomfort with creeds]. I don't share it."
"The interesting thing though is the world is much more pluralistic than it is relativistic. And those are often equated in the secular west."
"If we're going to have wait for one billion Muslims to become relativistic, if that's the way we're going to get religious understanding, we're going to have to fasten our safety belts."
"It is not enough to Christianize Africa, we have to Africanize Christianity."
"There was a Norwegian who loved his wife so much he almost told her."
A Lutheran priest from SoCal visited our parish two sundays ago. (He is attending a summer session at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley.) We had a nice talk during breakfast after liturgy. He was surprised that I had read Luther's Comentary on Romans ("Most Lutherans don't even read that!") I think he will wind up converting to Orthodoxy. His story kinda remided me of Jaroslav Pelikans. He just realized he'd always been Orthodox. I think that is a little bit like what happened to me. Anyway, here are some Jaroslav Pelikan quotes:
"The only alternative to Tradition is bad tradition."
"I'm aware of it [the modern discomfort with creeds]. I don't share it."
"The interesting thing though is the world is much more pluralistic than it is relativistic. And those are often equated in the secular west."
"If we're going to have wait for one billion Muslims to become relativistic, if that's the way we're going to get religious understanding, we're going to have to fasten our safety belts."
"It is not enough to Christianize Africa, we have to Africanize Christianity."
"There was a Norwegian who loved his wife so much he almost told her."
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