Some Words about Obedience

Source: St. Elizabeth Convent

January 25, 2017

    

“The truly intelligent man pursues one sole objective: to obey and conform to the God of all. With this single aim in view, he disciplines his soul, and whatever he may encounter in the course of his life, he gives thanks to God for the compass and depth of His providential ordering of all things.” (St. Anthony the Great, The Philokalia)

Nun Olga: Once, during a dialogue with Elder Sophrony (Sakharov) people were talking about humility. One of the monks said that lack of humility is our personal self. I would rather add that disobedience is our personal self as well.

If a person lives according to his own will, he deprives himself of true joy. He can be near it, he can “see” it, but he is always outside it. Just as if you looked through the window and saw people celebrating something inside, while you were standing outside and felt cold and sad…

Every person has experienced moments when you just do what you should do. And there is no need to philosophize. Sometimes your own will seems so alluring that it can even make you reject your obedience. It depends on what a person will choose. And we have to make our choice every day. In other words, we are the architects of our happiness.

As a rule, something that makes you protest most of all, appears to be the most saving for your soul. I would like to wish that our trust in God prevails over our inner voice, which always tries to scare us and says that everything we do is absolutely senseless.

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Read the rest at St. Elizabeth Convent

1/26/2017

See also
Variations in the Spiritual Life (Teachings from Athos) Variations in the Spiritual Life (Teachings from Athos)
Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi Variations in the Spiritual Life (Teachings from Athos) Variations in the Spiritual Life (Teachings from Athos)
Elder Joseph of Vatopaidi
By staying within the bounds of obedience and duty, we enjoy the continuation of the presence of the Grace of Jesus and we become peaceful. All of this increases within us the experience of how we should fight. “I Will Make You a Gerontissa” “I Will Make You a Gerontissa”
Olga Rozhneva, Gerontissa Theophano “I Will Make You a Gerontissa” About the benefit of obedience and Elder Ephraim
A Conversation with Gerontissa Theophano
Olga Rozhneva, Gerontissa Theophano
The first monastery built by Elder Ephraim in America was the women’s monastery of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos in Saxonburg, PA. Elder Ephraim founded it in 1989. Pilgrims meet here a peaceful corner of nature, where you can forget for a time your worldly cares and anxieties and you can immerse yourself in a world of silence and prayer. The sisters of the monastery labor purely for the prayer of the heart and mind. Here and there you here: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.” The Byzantine singing in church during the services leaves pilgrims in awe. Mutual Obedience & the Life of the Spirit Mutual Obedience & the Life of the Spirit Mutual Obedience & the Life of the Spirit Mutual Obedience & the Life of the Spirit
Rev. Gregory Jensen
Turning from the monastery to our everyday life, real obedience is concerned with hearing the voice of God in the voice of our family members, fellow parishioners, brother clergy and even in those of good will with whom we share only a common humanity.
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