- Aug 4, 2013
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I am reading a book by Fr. Thomas Merton on the Trappists. It is about a woman who entered the Trappistines (women Trappists) in the 1800's. In one of her diary entries she records:
"I answer Your call. Here I am" I desire nothing, from now , but Your holy Will, and Your divine Heart will be the altar of my immolation. Yes, it is in the furnace of love that I desire to see consumed all that remains of myself, in order that I may no longer be myself but You, O Jesus. Continue in this heart, which belongs to You, the tortures of Calvary, for as long as this new victim is not immolated, Your Sacrifice will be unfinished. Your work of redemption incomplete."
Will be unfinished? Does Orthodoxy have a similar view of the ascetic life and theosis? Does theosis (or divinization) involve punitive measures such as hair shirts and "disciplines" which apparently involved little sharp pieces of metal that pricked the skin of the Trappist?
I find this disturbing and something doesn't seem quite right about it.
Comments?
PLEASE - ONLY ORTHODOX COMMENTATORS ON MY QUESTION. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR ANY COMMENTS FROM NON-ORTHODOX!!!!
"I answer Your call. Here I am" I desire nothing, from now , but Your holy Will, and Your divine Heart will be the altar of my immolation. Yes, it is in the furnace of love that I desire to see consumed all that remains of myself, in order that I may no longer be myself but You, O Jesus. Continue in this heart, which belongs to You, the tortures of Calvary, for as long as this new victim is not immolated, Your Sacrifice will be unfinished. Your work of redemption incomplete."
Will be unfinished? Does Orthodoxy have a similar view of the ascetic life and theosis? Does theosis (or divinization) involve punitive measures such as hair shirts and "disciplines" which apparently involved little sharp pieces of metal that pricked the skin of the Trappist?
I find this disturbing and something doesn't seem quite right about it.
Comments?
PLEASE - ONLY ORTHODOX COMMENTATORS ON MY QUESTION. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR ANY COMMENTS FROM NON-ORTHODOX!!!!