tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27139233.post3954389763144778568..comments2023-12-22T19:01:28.512-08:00Comments on Holy Nativity Orthodox Church: Work Not Leading To Joy: Not GoodFr. Michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16981965403145920704noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27139233.post-68467686462994429422012-05-26T20:11:56.215-07:002012-05-26T20:11:56.215-07:00Hi Daniel;
for me, Fr Gregory recognized that I ha...Hi Daniel;<br />for me, Fr Gregory recognized that I had a preconceived idea of what a holy person "must be like"- a level of severe ascesis, constant vigilance, etc.<br />The trouble is that I was sort of... comparing myself to the saints, and it caused imbalance in my life (misguided ups and unhealthy downs).<br />Instead now I take from the saints what they seem to give me as clearly good- and as for my own life which is very pitiful in contrast to their great feats, I only say "Lord have mercy- How much I want you Christ! But Your will be done, and I trust You."<br />I will try my best- but wont worry about what that "looks like" in comparison to those I know are great in faith.<br />God is at work in me; I am pitiful and yet God is at work in me.<br /><br />Love;<br />-Mark BasilOstensive Lymehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04605919388856782153noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27139233.post-15916799229953064252012-05-26T19:29:46.761-07:002012-05-26T19:29:46.761-07:00What exactly does it mean to 'detach from all ...What exactly does it mean to 'detach from all images of holiness'?Daniel Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17874030766285866754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27139233.post-37369496430053157312012-05-26T11:08:13.375-07:002012-05-26T11:08:13.375-07:00I have found Fr. Gregory's advice always to be...I have found Fr. Gregory's advice always to be both freeing and useful.Fr. Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16981965403145920704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27139233.post-25969619735948711632012-05-25T08:16:43.856-07:002012-05-25T08:16:43.856-07:00"The saints are helpful, but the biographers,..."The saints are helpful, but the biographers, sometimes, are not."<br /><br />Amen!<br /><br />As I have matured a bit in my reading of the Saints, it has dawned on me that while the Saints are holy, those who are attracted to them and reporting on them, are not (necessarily).<br />How they see them and what they see in them, has to do with the kinds of obstructions in their eyes as much as the light shining in the saints themselves.<br />This is *also* true with regard to my own vision of the saints, my own interpretation of them.<br />I have come to hold my interpretations lightly. I am willing to take what warms, pricks, or brings peace to my heart, but anything I'm unsure about I leave it be (without trying to understand, interpret, *or* discredit).<br /><br />I have been remembering Fr Gregory's advice to me to "detach from all images of holiness", and just work on the tiny bit of exercise God has clearly set before me.<br /><br />Love;<br />-Mark BasilOstensive Lymehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04605919388856782153noreply@blogger.com