I don't flog myself for confession, but today at church, the priest said something I couldn't entirely understand.
I'll try to summarize:
"Through Christ we have learned that we can follow God's example despite our human nature, we can go beyond nature etc. Love when feeling hatred. Forgive instead of revenge. Endurance instead of... etc. etc.
However, we must remember to love ourselves both for our light and weaknesses. How else can we learn to love our brothers and sisters, especially when they have their failings?"
In my personal experience, if I don't feel a sense of punishment or guilt towards my sins and weaknesses, I am not encouraged to change them. Indeed, the more I accept them, the less I am inspired to live according to my Christian ideals.
However, if I have a strong inner voice and know through my prayers that I reject those parts of me, I can reject them seamlessly and behave as if my human nature (most of its bad sides at least) didn't even exist
(or perhaps, it is a kind of self-imposed reward psychology, by which I self-inspire myself to positive/idealistic action by vehemently denying my "flesh")
Anyway, once again, I have never felt bad doing so (unlike most people report). In fact, feel I have led a much better, healthier and happier lifestyle this way.
What do you think about the words of the priest?
I'll try to summarize:
"Through Christ we have learned that we can follow God's example despite our human nature, we can go beyond nature etc. Love when feeling hatred. Forgive instead of revenge. Endurance instead of... etc. etc.
However, we must remember to love ourselves both for our light and weaknesses. How else can we learn to love our brothers and sisters, especially when they have their failings?"
In my personal experience, if I don't feel a sense of punishment or guilt towards my sins and weaknesses, I am not encouraged to change them. Indeed, the more I accept them, the less I am inspired to live according to my Christian ideals.
However, if I have a strong inner voice and know through my prayers that I reject those parts of me, I can reject them seamlessly and behave as if my human nature (most of its bad sides at least) didn't even exist
(or perhaps, it is a kind of self-imposed reward psychology, by which I self-inspire myself to positive/idealistic action by vehemently denying my "flesh")
Anyway, once again, I have never felt bad doing so (unlike most people report). In fact, feel I have led a much better, healthier and happier lifestyle this way.
What do you think about the words of the priest?