A Worldly Ascetic?
What are some of the characteristics that would be present in the life of an ascetic Orthodox Christian of the new millennium? He, or she, would have a greater desire: to read the life of a Saint rather than a secular novel; to listen to the Spirit-filled hymns of the Church, rather than the cacophony of today’s music; to attend a spiritual retreat rather than a weekend in Atlantic City; to read or chant the Paraklesis to the Most Holy Theotokos, rather than watch sports, or the news, or any ‘sitcom’ on TV. In fact, he, or she, would most likely have lost his desire to watch any TV. The 21st century ascetic is: more “at home” worshiping God in Church, than attending a party on Saturday night; more eager to read daily from God’s Word than from the daily newspaper; more naturally inclined to have the Jesus Prayer (Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me) on his lips, than crude language or unkind words about others. To the Orthodox ascetic: worshiping God is the blood of his soul; prayer, its breath; and the words of the Holy Gospel, its food.
Those are the words of Fr. Demetrios Carellas in a sermon he gave on the Sunday of Orthodoxy (2006). I read them and I (for the zillionth time) realize how truly horrible I am. I oftentimes find myself justifying my negligence by thinking "I live in the world, there is only so much I can realistically do." I fool myself into thinking because I give up "so many" things that I am fulfilling my duty to Christ. I don't absorb myself in expensive things, I don't have a tv at home, I NEVER treat myself, don't wear pants, yadda yadda yadda. Then I re-read these words and I realize how I haven't even truly committed myself yet. I do all the things that are easy for me to do. Ask me how many handbags I have? I don't wear pants but ask how many skirts I have?? I'm embarrassed to even answer those questions! I justify my reading a million secular novels by reading the Bible daily and reading no more than 2 secular novels without reading a religious one in between. I am truly pitiful. I pray for so many things, and unworthy as I am many of those prayers get answered. Which makes me think how I would feel if one of my children barely paid any attention to me (my prayers are the equivalent of an email nowadays) yet I still did everything I could to fulfill their needs and desires. It makes me want to cry. Dear Lord forgive me....
I've only had the pleasure of meeting Fr. Demetrios once on a visit to the Nativity of the Theotokos monastery is Saxonburg, PA. Now that my family is back up that way I'll God-willing be able to visit the monastery more frequently. The sisters there are just terrific! I love many of them dearly. I encourage everyone to read Fr's article in it's entirety. I believe it will help give us the push we need to finish this Lenten journey on top.
Here's the link:
http://members.cox.net/orthodoxheritage/MOM%2008%202006.htm
