Saint Raphael of Brooklyn Orthodox Church, Iowa City, Iowa

Food for Thought (9/28/2008)

“Let Us make man according to Our image and likeness (Genesis 1:26).” From this, begin to know yourself. These words had not yet been applied to any of the creations. Light appeared, and the commandment was simple. God said, “Let there be light.” The firmament came into being and there was no deliberation concerning its coming to be. The luminaries came to be without any previous deliberation regarding them. The sea and the boundless ocean: a command and they were brought into being...The wild beasts...one word, and they came to be. At this point, man does not yet exist, and there is deliberation regarding man. God did not say as He did for the others, “Let there be man!”
Note the dignity befitting you. He has not initiated your origin by a command, but there has been counsel in God to determine how to introduce into life this living being worthy of honor. “Let us make man,” the wise One deliberates, the artisan ponders. Do you not fall short of His art, and does not He, with care offer to His masterpiece its [intended] achievement: perfection and exactitude? Or does he not wish to show you as perfect in relation to God?

St. Basil the Great, On the Origin of Man

Last Update: 10/02 at 09:19 AM

Food for Thought (9/21/2008)

Let us not knock casually [at the door of the Scriptures], but eagerly and persistently, and let us not lose heart while knocking, for if we seek in this manner, it will be opened to us. If we read once and then a second time and still do not understand what we are reading, let us not be discouraged. Rather, let us persist, let us meditate and inquire, for as the Scriptures say: ‘Ask your father, and he will show you; your elders and they will tell you.’

St. John of Damascus, “The Orthodox Faith” Book IV, Chapter XVII

Last Update: 09/22 at 09:08 AM

Food for Thought (9/14/2008)

The Cross is raised on high, and urges all the creation to sing the praises of the undefiled Passion of Him who was lifted high upon it. For there it was that He killed our slayer, and brought the dead to life again: and in His exceeding goodness and compassion, He made us beautiful and counted us worthy to be citizens of heaven. Therefore with rejoicing let us exalt His Name and magnify His surpassing condescension.

Stichera of Great Vespers of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross

Last Update: 09/15 at 09:00 AM

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