Wisdom
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Wisdom is not based on age
It has been said that wisdom comes with age, and to some degree this is quite true. I've often had conversations with old college friends about how nice it would have been to have had the knowledge and wisdom we have now, back when we were young. Knowing what we know now, back then, would have made life so much easier, and we'd have had fewer days of worry and stress over relationships, grades, all the little things.
After sixty-eight years of hanging around this planet, I'm far less likely to get stressed out about many things that would have overwhelmed me when I was a college student. Yet one thing I know for sure, purity and passionlessness have nothing to do with age. They become part of our nature when we have gained humility. Saint John of the Ladder taught that purity comes not because of our labors, and certainly not because of age, but comes only when we have humbled ourselves. And unless we have become humble, our passions will remain strong, and we will have made no spiritual progress, remaining, as it were, without wisdom.
Love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Photos: Delivering the keynote address at Doxacon Seattle. In the second photo I was demonstrating the positive Christian image of the wizard Gandalf, in Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings".
| Monday August 25, 2014 / August 12, 2014 12th Week after Pentecost. Tone two. Dormition (Theotokos) Fast. By Monastic Charter: Strict Fast (Bread, Vegetables, Fruits) Afterfeast of the Transfiguration. Martyrs Anicetus and Photius (Photinus) of Nicomedia (305). New Hieromartyrs Barlaam abbot of Belogor St. Nicholas monastery and brotherhood: hieromonks Sergius, Ilia, Viacheslav, Iosaph, John, Anoty, hierodeacons Mikhey, Bessarion, Mathew, Euphemia, monks Barnabas, Demetrius, Sabbas, Hermogenus, Arcadius, Euphemia, btothers John, Jacob, Peter, another Jacob, Alexander, Theodore, another Peter, Sergius, Alexis (1918). New Hieromartyr Basil priest (1918). New Hieromartyrs Leonidas, John and Nicholas priests (1937). Hieromartyr Alexander, bishop of Comana (3rd c.). Martyrs Pamphilus and Capito. Venerable Pallamon of Egypt, instructor of St. Pachomius the Great. St. Muredach (Murtagh), first bishop of Killala and founder of Innismurray (Ireland) (6th c.) (Celtic & British). St. Molaise of Devenish (563) (Celtic & British). St. Seigine, abbot of Iona (652) (Celtic & British). Sts. Sergius and Stephen, monks (Greek). Soldier-martyrs of Crete (Greek). Monk-martyrs Gerontius, Serapion, Germanus, Bessarion, Michael, and Simeon of Garesja, slain by the Lekians (1851) (Georgia). Translation of relicts of St. Edwold, hermit of Cerne. St. Jambert, archbishop of Canterbury (Celtic & British). |
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"Blogs and social networks give us new opportunities for the Christian mission...Not to be present there means to display our helplessness and lack of care for the salvation of our brothers." His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
The Scripture Readings for the Day
"Blogs and social networks give us new opportunities for the Christian mission...Not to be present there means to display our helplessness and lack of care for the salvation of our brothers." His Holiness Patriarch Kirill
The Scripture Readings for the Day
2 Corinthians 5:10-15
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.Be Reconciled to God
12 For we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.Mark 1:9-15
John Baptizes Jesus
9 It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. 11 Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Satan Tempts Jesus
12 Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
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All-Merciful Saviour Monastery is a monastery of the Western American Diocese, under the omophor of His Eminence Kyrill, Archbishop of San Francisco and Western America. The Monastery is a non-profit 501 C3 organization under IRS regulations. All donations are therefore tax deductible.
We depend on the generosity of our friends and benefactors. You can donate to the monastery through PayPal, or by sending donations directly to the monastery's mailing address.
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
Abbot Tryphon's email address:
frtryphon@vashonmonks.com
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