August 2009 Blog Posts (53)

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here i sit all broken hearted; thought I had to blog but only quoted.

Thought I was goin' to say something then realized - I really have never had anything to say.



Have been thinking about ecclessia and baselia in terms of Jesus saying "these are my mother, my sisters, and brothers - those that do the will of God." What did that look like in terms of structure/process/church? What I have read in English is unsatisfactory in terms of the annotated commentary that accompanies the early church writers. Was there proto-Christianity outside the "urban"… Continue

Added by John E Robertson on August 31, 2009 at 4:31pm — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Gerontius of Petra

from:http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sayings_of_the_Desert_Fathers



Abba Gerontius of Petra said that many, tempted by the pleasures of the body, commit fornication, not in their body but in their spirit, and while preserving their bodily virginity, commit prostitution in their soul. 'Thus it is good, my well-beloved, to do that which is written and for each one to guard his own heart with all possible care.' (Prov. 4.23)



Some thoughts:



It doesn't seem right to me to… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 31, 2009 at 9:03am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 31, 2009

May 1, August 31, December 31

Chapter 73: On the Fact That the Full Observance of Justice Is Not Established in This Rule



Now we have written this Rule

in order that by its observance in monasteries

we may show that we have attained some degree of virtue

and the rudiments of the religious life.



But for those who would hasten to the perfection of that life

there are the teaching of the holy Fathers,

the observance of which leads to the height… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 31, 2009 at 8:41am — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Evagrius

from http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sayings_of_the_Desert_Fathers



Abba Evagrius said, "Take away temptations and no one will be saved."



It strikes me as strange that in the alphabetical collection, only 1 Saying by Abba Evagrius is preserved. OTOH, he wrote and his work was preserved. http://orthodoxwiki.org/Evagrius_Ponticus



How often have I heard people long to "get away from it all" and everything would be right with them. I've daydreamed about it often enough… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 30, 2009 at 9:05am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 30, 2009

April 30, August 30, December 30



Chapter 72: On the Good Zeal Which They Ought to Have



Just as there is an evil zeal of bitterness

which separates from God and leads to hell,

so there is a good zeal

which separates from vices and leads to God

and to life everlasting.

This zeal, therefore, the sisters should practice

with the most fervent love.

Thus they should anticipate one another in honor (Rom. 12:10);

most patiently endure one… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 30, 2009 at 8:24am — No Comments

:: Fusion of Horizons


The Fusion of Horizons is but the beginning of our journey.

Added by Bill Stoker on August 29, 2009 at 5:37pm — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 29, 2009

April 29, August 29, December 29



Chapter 71: That the Brethren Be Obedient to One Another



Not only is the boon of obedience

to be shown by all to the Abbot,

but the brethren are also to obey one another,

knowing that by this road of obedience they are going to God.

Giving priority, therefore, to the commands of the Abbot

and of the Superior appointed by him

(to which we allow no private orders to be preferred),

for the rest

let all… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 29, 2009 at 9:53am — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Epiphanius 2

from: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sayings_of_the_Desert_Fathers#Abba_Epiphanius



"O monk, take thou the greatest possible care that thou sin not, lest thou disgrace God Who dwelleth in thee, and thou drive Him out of thy soul. "



Some thoughts:



Here's something I've thought for a long time. Ideally, we Christians are in a relationship of love with God. When we examine relationships based on love it is very clear that some stuff diminishes or even destroys the love… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 29, 2009 at 9:51am — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Epiphanius 1

(Abba Epiphanius) added, 'A man who receives something from another because of his poverty or his need has therein his reward, and because he is ashamed, when he repays it he does so in secret. But it is the opposite for the Lord God; he receives in secret, but he repays in the presence of the angels, the archangels and the righteous.'



Some thoughts



I am really not at all sure what to make of this Saying. "Reward?" It is not the giver who is rewarded, but the receiver. Is… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 28, 2009 at 7:40am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 28, 2009

April 28, August 28, December 28



Chapter 70: That No One Venture to Punish at Random



Every occasion of presumption

shall be avoided in the monastery,

and we decree that no one be allowed

to excommunicate or to strike any of her sisters

unless the Abbess has given her the authority.

Those who offend in this matter

shall be rebuked in the presence of all,

that the rest may have fear.



But children up to 15 years of age

shall… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 28, 2009 at 7:38am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 27, 2009

April 27, August 27, December 27



Chapter 69: That the Monks Presume Not to Defend One Another



Care must be taken that no monk presume on any ground

to defend another monk in the monastery,

or as it were to take him under his protection,

even though they be united by some tie of blood-relationship.

Let not the monks dare to do this in any way whatsoever,

because it may give rise to most serious scandals.

But if anyone breaks this rule,

let… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 27, 2009 at 7:35am — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Elias 1

from: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sayings_of_the_Desert_Fathers#Abba_Elias

Abba Elias, the minister, said, 'What can sin do where there is penitence? And of what use is love where there is pride?'

Some thoughts:

What on earth could I possibly write to unpack this Saying? Other than that, these are questions I think we all need to ask ourselves.

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 25, 2009 at 10:20am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 25, 2009

Chapter 67: On Brethren Who Are Sent on a Journey



Let the brethren who are sent on a journey

commend themselves

to the prayers of all the brethren and of the Abbot;

and always at the last prayer of the Work of God

let a commemoration be made of all absent brethren.



When brethren return from a journey,

at the end of each canonical Hour of the Work of God

on the day they return,

let them lie prostrate on the floor of the oratory

and… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 25, 2009 at 10:13am — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Dioscorus 2

from: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sayings_of_the_Desert_Fathers#Abba_Dioscorus



If we wear our heavenly robe, we shall not be found naked, but if we are found not wearing this garment, what shall we do, brethren? We, even we also, shall hear the voice that says, "Cast them into outer darkness; there men will weep and gnash their teeth." (Matt. 22:13) And, brethren, there will be great shame in store for us, if, after having worn this habit for so long, we are found in the hour of need not… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 24, 2009 at 10:41am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 24, 2009

April 24, August 24, December 24



Chapter 66: On the Porters of the Monastery



At the gate of the monastery

let there be placed a wise old woman,

who knows how to receive and to give a message,

and whose maturity will prevent her from straying about.

This porter should have a room near the gate,

so that those who come may always find someone at hand

to attend to their business.

And as soon as anyone knocks or a poor person hails… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 24, 2009 at 10:28am — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Dioscorus

from:http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sayings_of_the_Desert_Fathers#Abba_Dioscorus



A brother questioned Abba Poemen in this way, 'My thoughts trouble me, making me put my sins aside, and concern myself with my brother's faults'. The old man told him the following story about Abba Dioscorus (the monk), 'In his cell he wept over himself, while his disciple was sitting in another cell. When the latter came to see the old man he asked him, "Father, why are you weeping?" "I am weeping over my… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 23, 2009 at 10:53am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 23, 2009

April 23, August 23, December 23



Chapter 65: On the Prior of the Monastery



To us, therefore, it seems expedient

for the preservation of peace and charity

that the Abbot have in his hands

the full administration of his monastery.

And if possible let all the affairs of the monastery,

as we have already arranged,

be administered by deans according to the Abbot's directions.

Thus, with the duties being shared by several,

no one person… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 23, 2009 at 10:39am — No Comments

Sayings of the Desert Christians: Abba Cyrus of Alexandria

from: http://orthodoxwiki.org/Sayings_of_the_Desert_Fathers#Abba_Cyrus_of_Alexandria



Abba Cyrus of Alexandria was asked about the temptation of fornication, and he replied, 'If you do not think about it, you have no hope, for if you are not thinking about it, you are doing it. I mean, he who does not fight against the sin and resist it in his spirit will commit the sin physically. It is very true that he who is fornicating in fact is not worried about thinking about… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 22, 2009 at 9:27am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 22, 2009

April 22, August 22, December 22



Chapter 65: On the Prior of the Monastery



It happens all too often that the constituting of a Prior

gives rise to grave scandals in monasteries.

For there are some who become inflated with the evil spirit of pride

and consider themselves second Abbots.

By usurping power

they foster scandals and cause dissensions in the community.

Especially does this happen

in those places where the Prior is… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 22, 2009 at 9:26am — No Comments

Rule of St. Benedict Reading for August 21, 2009

April 21, August 21, December 21



Chapter 64: On Constituting an Abbess



Once she has been constituted,

let the Abbess always bear in mind

what a burden she has undertaken

and to whom she will have to give an account of her stewardship,

and let her know that her duty is rather to profit her sisters

than to preside over them.

She must therefore be learned in the divine law,

that she may have a treasure of knowledge

from which to bring… Continue

Added by Sister Gloriamarie Amalfitano on August 21, 2009 at 7:30am — No Comments

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