Oblate Daily Saturday, October 18, 2014 / October 5, 2014 [East] Martyr Charitina of Amisus Saints Peter, Alexis, Jonah, Philip, Hermogenes (Germogen), and Tikhon, hierarchs of Moscow and wonderworkers of all Russia St. Damian the Healer and saints Jeremiah and Matthew the Clairvoyants of the Kiev Caves St. Charitina, princess of Lithuania, abbess in Novgorod St. Eudocimus the Unknown, monk of Vatopedi Monastery on Mt. Athos Repose of the Nun Agnia (Countess Anna Orlova-Chesmenskaya) (1848) [SB: Holy Rule] Chapter 7 - Of Humility (cont.) The seventh degree of humility is, when, not only with his tongue he declareth, but also in his inmost soul believeth, that he is the lowest and vilest of men, humbling himself and saying with the Prophet: But I am a worm and no man, the reproach of men and the outcast of the people (Ps 21[22]:7). I have been exalted and humbled and confounded (Ps 87[88]:16). And also: It is good for me that Thou hast humbled me, that I may learn Thy commandments (Ps 118[119]:71,73). [Lectio Divina] I Cor 15:58 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. [Daily thoughts from St. Theophan the Recluse] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins (He said unto the sick of the palsy) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house (Luke 5:24). Remission of sins is an inner, spiritual miracle. Healing from paralysis is an outward miracle -- a natural action of God upon the world, something physical. Through this event the influx of Gods power is proven and confirmed, both in the spiritual realm and in the physical world. The purpose of the physical miracle was to bring about the spiritual one, for in the spiritual lies the goal of everything. The Lord does not coerce ones freedom, but gives understanding, inspires, and amazes. One of the best means for this is an outward miracle. The miracle began at the time that man was created as a rational creature, directed by freedom. This connection is so essential, that those who reject the supernatural action of God in the world also reject the freedom of man, along with the recognition that the latter must necessarily call forth the former. On the other hand, those who confess the truth of Gods influence in the world beyond the natural flow of phenomena can say boldly: we feel free. The recognition of freedom is as strong and irresistible as the recognition of ones existence. Freedom urgently demands the direct providential actions of God; consequently, the acknowledgment of these actions stands as firmly as the recognition of freedom.
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 03:59:01 +0000