Thoughtful worship: Difference between revisions
→Maximizing the Word: "Desert" Fathers and Mothers
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== Maximizing the Word: "Desert" Fathers and Mothers == | == Maximizing the Word: "Desert" Fathers and Mothers == | ||
The "Desert Fathers" and "Desert Mothers" were early monks who fled the world around them under the Roman Empire to live the " | The "Desert Fathers" and "Desert Mothers" were early monks who fled the world around them under the Roman Empire to live the "ascetic<ref>ascetic means a practice of severe self-discipline to avoid all temptations and sin through constant prayer, self-isolation, and/or worship.</ref>" life of solitary prayer and total devotion to God. No matter what situation they may have found themselves in, they focused on God. | ||
For example, one of these monks was given a | === Sell what you have === | ||
For example, one of these monks was given a manuscript of the Gospels. He read it, and when he got to the words, "Sell what you have and give to the poor," he stopped reading, sold the book. and gave the money to the poor (!). Another ascetic, a Desert Mother was never able to complete the Our Father prayer, as whenever she would start she would become so absorbed in the beauty and meaning of God as "our father" that she would weep and fixated her thoughts on that amazing concept. | |||
Sounds crazy, but to take the Gospel literally -- by the very text, the very words -- is fundamental to any understanding much less act of faith. Did not Jesus mean what he said, when he told the rich man | Sounds crazy, but to take the Gospel literally -- by the very text, the very words -- is fundamental to any understanding much less act of faith. Did not Jesus mean what he said, when he told the rich man | ||
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Indeed, and that monk did just that. | Indeed, and that monk did just that. | ||
=== Insults in praise of God === | |||
As their fame grew, a Greek philosopher came to the desert to learn from the Desert Fathers. He encountered a monk who insulted him, then demanded payment for it. After three years of this treatment (!), the philosopher, fed up with it, returned to Athens. Upon arrival, he encountered a street bum who was insulting people. The philosopher approached the man and was insulted thoroughly. To the man's surprise, rather than reacting in anger, the philosopher laughed at him. "What are you laughing at," the man demanded. "For three years I paid for insults," replied the philosopher, "and you just gave away one for free!" | |||
This occurred on one of St. Cantius' four | The bum stood, bowed, and declared to the philosopher, "Behold, the keys to the city are yours!" | ||
== Other stories of conversion, clever and thoughtful worship == | |||
When brigands assaulted the Polish Saint John Cantius (Jan Kanty) and took his possessions, they asked him if he had anything more. He replied he did not, and they let him go on his way. Shortly after, he realized that he did have more, coins sewn into his cloak. He ran after the brigands and told them he had not spoken in error and offered the coins to them. Astonished, they refused the coins and gave back what they had taken from him before. | |||
This occurred on one of St. Cantius' four pilgrimages to Rome by foot -- from Poland, carrying his own bags. He also went to Jerusalem after having contemplated the Passion for nights without sleep. | |||
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[[Category:Catechism of the Catholic Church]] | [[Category:Catechism of the Catholic Church]] | ||
[[Category:Mass and Liturgy]] | [[Category:Mass and Liturgy]] | ||