For Pantelis:
Do not say that it is impossible to receive the Spirit of God.
Do not say that it is possible to be made whole without Him.
Do not say that one can possess Him without knowing it.
Do not say that God does not manifest Himself to man.
Do not say that men cannot perceive the divine light, or that it is impossible in this age!
Never is it found to be impossible, my friends.
On the contrary, it is entirely possible when one desires it.
-- St Symeon the New Theologian, Hymn 27.
Whenever I read something from the fathers like this, I can only confess that I do not desire God. I believe I desire Him, but since the evidence is not in me, I must be deluded. My heart breaks with false longing. If He does not give me true desire I will be lost. Pray for me.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I understand what you mean ... its a paradox in that we do desire God but we see that our desire does not compare with the desire and example that they show us .. but that is ok, it is a bar for us to reach. We set their example before us and we struggle to reach it ... pray for me also, I long to desire God in the way that our Saints desired God ... you are permanently in my prayers as are all from 'the other place' ;)
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