On this subject, one of the main reasons why some converts do not stop being converts and so do not become Orthodox is because they do not have a job. The need to earn your daily crust, to be with other people, is an excellent way for people to start living (as opposed to just thinking about) their Faith. This can avoid what is called the temptations from the left and the right. Temptations from the left are laxism, weakness, compromise, indifference. Temptations from the right are censorious judgement of others, the stuck-up zeal of the Pharisee, 'zeal not according to knowledge'. These temptations are equally dangerous and equally to be combatted. Both waste an enormous amount of time and energy on sideshows like the discussion of irrelevant issues like ecumenism, rather than praying. Being in society is the way in which we can get to know ourselves, see our failings and avoid being sidetracked into theoretical concerns.Includes other gems such as:
Finally, as I have already said, there is nothing so boring as sin. I am always surprised when people come to confession and expect me to remember their last confession. I always forget boring things. One of the best confessors I ever met was almost totally deaf. After I had said my piece, most of which he had not heard, he gave me some of the best advice I have ever received.Really worth the price of admission. And later, my own favorite bit of advice:
It is inevitable that you will not get on with everyone in your parish all the time. Such is human nature. But it is not a reason for walking out, slamming the door, not remaining Orthodox. Perhaps you are spending too much time at church outside the services? Yes, we do have coffee and tea after the service, but you are not obliged to stay. Some of the best Orthodox do not! Perhaps your relations with the other parishioners are too close? Are these people you would be with in any other situation? If you have no interest at all in common, other than having a common faith, why spend so much time with them? Spending too much time with people with whom you have little in common in terms of character and tastes is a recipe for friction. After all, you're not married to them.The sobriety of this article truly is what got me through some rather boring or uncomfortable patches, though some would argue all it did was make me horribly cynical and antisocial. Whatevs.
1 comment:
It's not a bad article even if some of the points go directly against what we hear from other sources (e.g., priests should remember one's past Confessions, people should congregate together and build a community, etc.) I'm not really sure which side of the fence I actually sit on there. Community is better than not, though some communities are just harder to establish in certain environments (e.g., a parish with a largely transient, college student population). People can say what they want about the "ethnic" parishes, but there is at least a natural community there based on a shared history of values and outlook. No doubt that's eroded considerably in the last several decades with usual penetration of American individualism and secularism, but all the same, they are a far better model than the loose constructs that many parishes wrestle to hold up.
As for not interacting with the parish at large, it's always a tempting option. Then again, to do it right, one should probably resolve that to be their course from Day 1. Otherwise, you're just asking for it.
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