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Post by Dr. Robert Gotcher on May 8, 2023 2:14:32 GMT
Are the desert fathers scrupulous? Are we too lax?
Are they overzealous at trying to avoid the least sin?
Why don’t we cry for our sins?
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Post by John Schroeder on May 9, 2023 13:13:37 GMT
No, the desert fathers are not scrupulous per se. I believe after having caught up on reading this week they are zealous for the Lord! They gained many insights we can dream of in this life. They committed themselves to a purposeful austerity that opened their minds to the things of heaven. Are we too lax? Sure we are but we are not called to the rigors and vows those men accepted. Some may argue, but what I mean by this is: a Jesuit accepts poverty, chastity and obedience when ordained. People don't typically accept poverty in their lives if they can help it. The dessert fathers lived counter culturally in order to find God. Most would rather live in the culture. We should all strive for their holiness daily even if we fall far short.
I don't think they were overzealous in trying to avoid the least sin. I think we should all try to avoid the least sin, as God wants us to strive for holiness. We should pray to find all sin repugnant. It all matters for we do not want to parish committing sin, even the least. That means continuous attention to our words, thoughts, actions and lack thereof. It all counts in trying to be a saint.
I do cry for my sins on occasion. I can't count how many times I've been brought to tears. All of those moments over the last 20 years have brought about a new resolve to change, to hope and try again.
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Post by Rene Rillorta on Jun 7, 2023 3:40:05 GMT
Are the desert fathers scrupulous? Are we too lax? Are they overzealous at trying to avoid the least sin? Why don’t we cry for our sins? In the light of the Gospel of Matthew 13:45-46 "...the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it." I do not see that the desert fathers are scrupulous. Their pearl of great price is God Himself, hence they left everything, fought sin and attachments in order to unite with God. In their lives in the dessert, particularly in their practice of asceticism, they have come to know God and love Him in a deeper way, hence they were blessed with aversion to all forms of sin including the least. The more one is bathed with the light and love of Christ, the more one sees clearly his frailties big and small, hence they had the desire to avoid the least of sins in their lives. Are we too lax? -I cannot answer for all, hence I will answer in the context of "I" and I think I am too lax. I grew up in the idea that Venial sins are "minor" sins that need not be confessed, and rightly so, and that it will be pardoned during the penitential rite at mass. Hence I was lax and forgot that these venial sins lead to eventual weakness of the spirit and the will that may lead me to mortal sin. In the busyness of daily life , I and many--transitioning to "we" now as a culture, have been bombarded by mass media - TV Radio Print and now Social Media, that has influenced and pulled us somehow, away from what is vital. And have weakened our "sense of sin". The culture now have made wrong right, and made right into wrong, and has branded those who oppose it as bigoted and judgmental. The culture has been gotten to the point of celebrating a lifestyle that is contrary to natural law, and for us who believe-God's laws. Clearly expressed in the book of Isaiah 5:20 " Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness...." "We" we do not cry anymore for our sins. But!!! I and many I am sure have experienced -sorrow for sins- it is a grace that comes from God. Though not often, I was graced at mass or during prayer to cry in sorrow for my past sins. If one, falls in love with God, and is blessed by His light of Truth, like the dessert fathers, one will see how pure God is, and see how impure we are, that we will also be zealous in avoiding it , and call God for the grace to have sorrow for all past sins as well. |
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