Thoughtful worship: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:43, 12 May 2024

The "Desert Fathers" and "Desert Mothers" were early monks who fled the world around them under the Roman Empire to live the "ascetetic^[1]" 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 maniscript 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

“There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Lk 18:22)

Indeed, and that monk did just that.

↑ ascetic means a practice of severe self-discipline to avoid all temptations and sin through constant prayer, self-isolation, and/or worship.

[1] scetic means a practice of severe self-discipline to avoid all temptations and sin through constant prayer, self-isolation, and/or worship.

[1]

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-The "Desert" fathers and mothers were early monks who fled the corrupt Roman world of Alexandria, Egypt to live the "ascetetic" life of solitary prayer and total devotion to God.
+The "Desert Fathers" and "Desert Mothers" were early monks who fled the world around them under the Roman Empire to live the "ascetetic<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.
-One of the Desert Mothers, [https://www.gutenberg.org/files/46947/46947-h/46947-h.htm#Page_67 Amma Syncletica], was unable to complete the "Our Father" prayer because as she started, she would become overwhelmed by the thought of God as her "Father" and could not go further.
+For example, one of these monks was given a maniscript 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.
-Father Wetta tells of the Monk Serapion who was given a maniscript of the Gospel. He read only until he found the words, "Sell what you have agnd give to the poor," as he sold the book and gave the money to the poor.
+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
+ “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ([https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/18:22 Lk 18:22])
+Indeed, and that monk did just that.
+[[Category:Catechism of the Catholic Church]]
+[[Category:Mass and Liturgy]]