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As Antony, the great servant of God, said, "Holiness is achieved
when the intellect is in its natural state." And again he said: "The
soul realizes its integrity when its intellect is in that state in
which it was created." And shortly after this he adds: "Let us purify
our mind, for I believe that when the mind is completely pure and is
in its natural state, it gains penetrating insight..." So spoke the
renowned Antony, according to the Life of Antony by Athanasios the
Great.
- St. Hesychios the Priest in "On Watchfulness and Holiness"
("Philokalia (Vol. 1)", p. 194, text 179)
(This "natural state" of the intellect comes when it is attuned to
truth for Truth's sake, and not to manipulate information unto other
ends. Let your mind be for truth and you shall know peace.)
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At-home Retreat: Resources for an 8-day private or directed retreat to make at your home or elsewhere.
- Open for registration. Resource area opens Ash Wednesday 2013.
http://shalomplace.org/retreat
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Heb 13:1-8; Ps 27:1, 3, 5, 8-9; Mk 6:14-29 R. The Lord is my light and my salvation. The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid? Though an army encamp against me,
my heart will not fear;
Though war be waged upon me,
even then will I trust.
in the day of trouble;
He will conceal me in the shelter of his tent,
he will set me high upon a rock.
Your presence, O LORD, I seek.
Hide not your face from me;
do not in anger repel your servant.
You are my helper: cast me not off.
USCCB Lectionary
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When I read the gospel I immediately remembered a movie from the 50's or 60's that depicted this story in a very vivid scene. King Herod watched the frenzied dance and was totally entertained making promises that he would regrettably have to keep. I also remembered that growing up at that time there seemed to be many movies of this kind: the "epic"
Ben Hur, The Robe, and Quo Vadis
to name a few. They are still vivid in my memory because they inspired and intrigued me. I read the books that they were based on with great relish. I imagined what life was for the followers of Christ when he was alive and pondered the hardships of early Christians. I was mesmerized by the challenges they faced. As a child, I would imagine being there. How would I act? What would I do? Obviously, I did not live then so I was not "tested" in that same way. The real question is in my life now, how do I live up to the challenges. Oh, I'm not worried that I have to face lions or soldiers coming to persecute or torture me (although still reality for many Christians in other countries). Do I face challenges in standing up for what I believe to be right and true? Do I stay quiet when my voice should be heard? Do my actions indicate my beliefs? Do I walk "hand in hand?" Will "they know I am Christian by my love, by my love? Will they know I am Christian by my love?"
- by Nancy Shirley Creighton Online Ministries
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On Cleaving to God, by St. Albert the Great
What is more, according to the Apostle Paul, God knows his own (2 Timothy 2.19), and it is impossible for any of them to perish by the whirlwinds and floods of any error, scandal, schism, persecution, heresy, tribulation, adversity or temptation, for he has foreseen from eternity and unchangeably the number of his elect and the extent of their merits in such a way that everything good and bad, what is theirs and not theirs, prosperity and adversity, all work together for them for good, except indeed that they appear even more glorious and commendable in adversity. - Chapter 16. How God's providence includes everything.
Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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