Comments for Sources http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:37:41 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 Comment on Beauty and the Word by Fr. Ernesto Obregón http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-14 Fr. Ernesto Obregón Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:37:41 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-14 I just posted on my blog also about Dionysius, but the quote that had to do with eros. That hit me as hard as the beauty quote seems to have hit you. I just posted on my blog also about Dionysius, but the quote that had to do with eros. That hit me as hard as the beauty quote seems to have hit you.

]]> Comment on Beauty and the Word by Huw Richardson http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-13 Huw Richardson Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:36:45 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-13 And I'd forgotten it. Thank yoU! And I’d forgotten it. Thank yoU!

]]> Comment on Beauty and the Word by zaltair http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-12 zaltair Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:02:45 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-12 but...ever since you (Huw) sent this to me I have been attempting to follow this discipline. Fr Alexander's Journal Tuesday, January 20, 1981 More and more often it seems to me that reviving the monasticism that everybody so ecstatically talks about—or at least trying to revive it—can be done only by liquidating first of all the monastic institution itself, i.e., the whole vaudeville of klobuks, cowls, stylization, etc. If I were a starets—an elder—I would tell a candidate for monasticism roughly the following: • get a job, if possible the simplest, without creativity (for example as a cashier in a bank); • while working, pray and seek inner peace; do not get angry; do not think of yourself (rights, fairness, etc.). Accept everyone (coworkers, clients) as someone sent to you; pray for them. • after paying for a modest apartment and groceries, give your money to the poor; to individuals rather than foundations; • always go to the same church and there try to be a real helper, not by lecturing about spiritual life or icons, not by teaching but with a "dust rag" (cf. St Seraphim of Sarov). Keep at that kind of service and be—in church matters—totally obedient to the parish priest; • do not thrust yourself and your service on anyone; do not be sad that your talents are not being used; be helpful; serve where needed and not where you think you are needed; • read and learn as much as you can; do not read only monastic literature, but broadly (this point needs more precise definition); • if friends and acquaintances invite you because they are close to you—go; but not too often, and within reason. Never stay more than one and a half or two hours. After that the friendliest atmosphere becomes harmful; • dress like everybody else, but modestly, and without visible signs of a special spiritual life; • be always simple, light, joyous. Do not teach. Avoid like the plague any "spiritual" conversations and any religious or churchly idle talk. If you act that way, everything will be to your benefit; • do not seek a spiritual elder or guide. If he is needed, God will send him, and will send him when needed; • having worked and served this way for ten years—no less—ask God whether you should continue to live this way, or whether change is needed. And wait for an answer: it will come; the signs will be "joy and peace in the Holy Spirit." This is excerpted from The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann 1973-1983, published by St. Vladimir Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY. I'm well into year seven and just as fence-sitting and clueless as ever. but…ever since you (Huw) sent this to me I have been attempting to follow this discipline.
Fr Alexander’s Journal
Tuesday, January 20, 1981
More and more often it seems to me that reviving the monasticism that everybody so ecstatically talks about—or at least trying to revive it—can be done only by liquidating first of all the monastic institution itself, i.e., the whole vaudeville of klobuks, cowls, stylization, etc. If I were a starets—an elder—I would tell a candidate for monasticism roughly the following:
• get a job, if possible the simplest, without creativity (for example as a cashier in a bank);
• while working, pray and seek inner peace; do not get angry; do not think of yourself (rights, fairness, etc.). Accept everyone (coworkers, clients) as someone sent to you; pray for them.
• after paying for a modest apartment and groceries, give your money to the poor; to individuals rather than foundations;
• always go to the same church and there try to be a real helper, not by lecturing about spiritual life or icons, not by teaching but with a “dust rag” (cf. St Seraphim of Sarov). Keep at that kind of service and be—in church matters—totally obedient to the parish priest;
• do not thrust yourself and your service on anyone; do not be sad that your talents are not being used; be helpful; serve where needed and not where you think you are needed;
• read and learn as much as you can; do not read only monastic literature, but broadly (this point needs more precise definition);
• if friends and acquaintances invite you because they are close to you—go; but not too often, and within reason. Never stay more than one and a half or two hours. After that the friendliest atmosphere becomes harmful;
• dress like everybody else, but modestly, and without visible signs of a special spiritual life;
• be always simple, light, joyous. Do not teach. Avoid like the plague any “spiritual” conversations and any religious or churchly idle talk. If you act that way, everything will be to your benefit;
• do not seek a spiritual elder or guide. If he is needed, God will send him, and will send him when needed;
• having worked and served this way for ten years—no less—ask God whether you should continue to live this way, or whether change is needed. And wait for an answer: it will come; the signs will be “joy and peace in the Holy Spirit.”
This is excerpted from The Journals of Father Alexander Schmemann 1973-1983, published by St. Vladimir Seminary Press, Crestwood, NY.

I’m well into year seven and just as fence-sitting and clueless as ever.

]]> Comment on Beauty and the Word by zaltair http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-11 zaltair Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:23:12 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-11 Huw, Thank you. Especially for the last words. This is an investigation I will pursue after I return from my trip. (Tracking down that wise and kindly Arian bishop. ;-) ) Huw,
Thank you. Especially for the last words. This is an investigation I will pursue after I return from my trip. (Tracking down that wise and kindly Arian bishop. ;-) )

]]> Comment on Beauty and the Word by Huw Richardson http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-10 Huw Richardson Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:23:28 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-10 ECUSA is filled with monastic companions, third orders, etc. And there are Franciscan orders out there that are ecumenical rather than ECUSAn as well. You get in communion by being accountable to someone... and by agreeing to pray with them (even if not physically present with them). I think you might do well looking into http://www.orderofjulian.org/affiliates.html And, you know? I love you a lot. ECUSA is filled with monastic companions, third orders, etc. And there are Franciscan orders out there that are ecumenical rather than ECUSAn as well. You get in communion by being accountable to someone… and by agreeing to pray with them (even if not physically present with them).

I think you might do well looking into

http://www.orderofjulian.org/affiliates.html

And, you know? I love you a lot.

]]> Comment on Beauty and the Word by zaltair http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-9 zaltair Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:43:47 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-9 I'm thinking more along monkish lines myself. Urban monastery. In the suburbs? Of one? But then, how to be in communion if only one? I’m thinking more along monkish lines myself. Urban monastery. In the suburbs? Of one? But then, how to be in communion if only one?

]]> Comment on Beauty and the Word by Huw Richardson http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-8 Huw Richardson Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:19:34 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-8 Sorry. "where that happens" refers to "spread the friendship and Love that is evident and manifests at Saint Gregory’s." Sorry. “where that happens” refers to “spread the friendship and Love that is evident and manifests at Saint Gregory’s.”

]]> Comment on Beauty and the Word by Huw Richardson http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/09/22/beauty-and-the-word/#comment-7 Huw Richardson Tue, 23 Sep 2008 23:11:51 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=31#comment-7 I'm wrestling: am I supposed to be a priest, or just supposed to start a community where that happens? Can I do it on my own? Do I need a Denomination behind me? Will we even have a denomination in 3 or 4 years? Wholey Holy Fire I’m wrestling: am I supposed to be a priest, or just supposed to start a community where that happens? Can I do it on my own? Do I need a Denomination behind me? Will we even have a denomination in 3 or 4 years?

Wholey Holy Fire

]]> Comment on Sources: Les mystiques chretiens des origines, Olivier Clement by Fr. Ernesto Obregón http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/sources-les-mystiques-chretiens-des-origines-olivier-clement/#comment-3 Fr. Ernesto Obregón Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:31:46 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-3 As a bilingual person myself, please make sure to tell us when you perceive a difference between the French and the English versions. I am all too aware of the difficulties in translation and it may be that you will become our resource through those translation difficulties. As a bilingual person myself, please make sure to tell us when you perceive a difference between the French and the English versions. I am all too aware of the difficulties in translation and it may be that you will become our resource through those translation difficulties.

]]> Comment on Sources: Les mystiques chretiens des origines, Olivier Clement by AlexM http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/2008/08/06/sources-les-mystiques-chretiens-des-origines-olivier-clement/#comment-2 AlexM Fri, 15 Aug 2008 08:54:56 +0000 http://sourceschretiens.wordpress.com/?p=3#comment-2 Your blog is interesting! Keep up the good work! Your blog is interesting!

Keep up the good work!

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