Remorse

[Chesterton]

Years ago I was on an Orthodox forum and we were talking about the film Ostrov (The Island). Everybody agreed they liked it, but then a couple of people said they found fault with it, in that the main character experienced remorse throughout his life for that thing he did. They were saying we should always be repenting, but that it's wrong to carry remorse with you after some period of time or something like that. Any thoughts on this?

 

[ArmyMatt]

read the theological poetry of the Syrian saints. remorse is good if it leads to repentance and godly sorrow.

 

[JohnAshton]

Remorse, like sorrow, loss, former love, etc., can morph into a guiding remembrance of an important point in our life that leads to grace-filled good works.

 

[FenderTL5]

Years ago I was on an Orthodox forum and we were talking about the film Ostrov (The Island). Everybody agreed they liked it, but then a couple of people said they found fault with it, in that the main character experienced remorse throughout his life for that thing he did. They were saying we should always be repenting, but that it's wrong to carry remorse with you after some period of time or something like that. Any thoughts on this?

We have a copy of that film at home.
I tend to think it was that one thing that he did that reminded him that he was a sinner in need of repentance. The constant state of repentance allowed the positive elements to flow forth.
I thought it was wonderfully portrayed. imho, ymmv

 

[AMM]

I just watched that film for the first time the other day. I really liked it. (And even suggested it to two of my old professors who co-teach a religion and film class. When I took it, we watched a film about Andrei Rublev for the segment on Orthodoxy.)

read the theological poetry of the Syrian saints. remorse is good if it leads to repentance and godly sorrow.

Would you say that remorse can either lead to repentance and "bright sadness" (a term that I have been coming across a lot, recently), or it can lead to dispair and self-pity? and the former is good, the latter is not

 

[ArmyMatt]

Would you say that remorse can either lead to repentance and "bright sadness" (a term that I have been coming across a lot, recently), or it can lead to dispair and self-pity? and the former is good, the latter is not

yep.

 

[AMM]

yep.

can you explain a bit what "bright sadness" is? I haven't been able to find a clear explanation of what it is. Is it the sadness/remorse that leads to repentance, which thus leads to our restoration through forgiveness and God's grace to raise us from our sins up to Him?

 

[ArmyMatt]

can you explain a bit what "bright sadness" is? I haven't been able to find a clear explanation of what it is. Is it the sadness/remorse that leads to repentance, which thus leads to our restoration through forgiveness and God's grace to raise us from our sins up to Him?

it's like Lent. the more aware of how sinful we are, the more aware we are of how much God loves us.

 

[AMM]

it's like Lent. the more aware of how sinful we are, the more aware we are of how much God loves us.

ah okay. Thanks!