Comments on: On the Lord’s Parable of the Publican and the Pharisee The meaning of “Two men went to the temple” St Gregory Palamas http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2011/02/11/on-the-lords-parable-of-the-publican-and-the-pharisee-the-meaning-of-two-men-went-to-the-temple-st-gregory-palamas/ McKinney TX Homilies, scripture commentary, spiritual reflections Wed, 05 Jun 2013 12:35:39 +0000 hourly 1 By: David A. http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2011/02/11/on-the-lords-parable-of-the-publican-and-the-pharisee-the-meaning-of-two-men-went-to-the-temple-st-gregory-palamas/comment-page-1/#comment-9793 David A. Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:23:28 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2965#comment-9793 Father Bless: I find the most basic stuff difficult and by definition of this Parable rarely go up into the Temple, but I allow myself the opportunity to be "In the Services" by going to the services. I get distracted easily but I try to be there. Sometimes, when I'm standing in front of an Icon, I'm trying to figure out what to say and am at a loss for words and have to keep it simple, like, "Lord have Mercy" and then sometimes, the Prayer comes from me in a rush as soon as I touch the Icon to begin Praying. It's like a river of emotion pouring through me and then once in awhile, I feel it pouring back. Not often, but sometimes. God is to be found in all this. He is here.  Lord have Mercy on the Suffering Servants of God, David and Elizabeth. David A. Father Bless:
I find the most basic stuff difficult and by definition of this Parable rarely go up into the Temple, but I allow myself the opportunity to be "In the Services" by going to the services. I get distracted easily but I try to be there.
Sometimes, when I'm standing in front of an Icon, I'm trying to figure out what to say and am at a loss for words and have to keep it simple, like, "Lord have Mercy" and then sometimes, the Prayer comes from me in a rush as soon as I touch the Icon to begin Praying. It's like a river of emotion pouring through me and then once in awhile, I feel it pouring back. Not often, but sometimes.
God is to be found in all this. He is here.  Lord have Mercy on the Suffering Servants of God, David and Elizabeth.

David A.

]]> By: seraphimholland http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2011/02/11/on-the-lords-parable-of-the-publican-and-the-pharisee-the-meaning-of-two-men-went-to-the-temple-st-gregory-palamas/comment-page-1/#comment-9784 seraphimholland Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:24:57 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2965#comment-9784 <p>Sure this is possible, but with humility all things about ourselves will be revealed. The key is knowing that something is wrong with us. If we know this, and do not try to ignore it, we will be healed. All of us have many problems and the only problem that is truly deadly is not knowing that there is a problem. </p> Sure this is possible, but with humility all things about ourselves will be revealed. The key is knowing that something is wrong with us. If we know this, and do not try to ignore it, we will be healed. All of us have many problems and the only problem that is truly deadly is not knowing that there is a problem.

]]> By: Deborah http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/2011/02/11/on-the-lords-parable-of-the-publican-and-the-pharisee-the-meaning-of-two-men-went-to-the-temple-st-gregory-palamas/comment-page-1/#comment-9782 Deborah Fri, 11 Feb 2011 18:06:59 +0000 http://orthodox.net/redeemingthetime/?p=2965#comment-9782 <em>Father, Bless, </em> <em>Convicting words, to which I must add, for myself: </em>   Can a person 'go up' to the temple if she is there, subconsciously, but sinfully, to <em>escape</em> her Reality <em>rather than to learn and be strengthened to embrace it?</em>   I am not talking about the laying aside of<em> 'all earthly cares'</em> and leaving the world behind to worship the Lord.  I am talking about using church as a diversion--not coming as one who remembers and is <em>truly, genuinely </em>aware of and confessing her sinfulness, need and pain, but as one who is, <em>unwittingly</em>, seeking to forget that she is a sinner by losing herself in the beauty of the services and the comfort of fellowship.   This is an extremely subtle sin and one of which it is difficult for me to maintain a constant awareness. Father, Bless,

Convicting words, to which I must add, for myself:

 
Can a person 'go up' to the temple if she is there, subconsciously, but sinfully, to escape her Reality rather than to learn and be strengthened to embrace it?
 
I am not talking about the laying aside of 'all earthly cares' and leaving the world behind to worship the Lord.  I am talking about using church as a diversion–not coming as one who remembers and is truly, genuinely aware of and confessing her sinfulness, need and pain, but as one who is, unwittingly, seeking to forget that she is a sinner by losing herself in the beauty of the services and the comfort of fellowship.
 
This is an extremely subtle sin and one of which it is difficult for me to maintain a constant awareness.

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