Because it has gotten back to me that I have given the impression that once my family and I become Orthodox, everything will change and we’ll no longer have any problems, and everything will be right as rain, I need to offer this clarification.
For the record: I do not believe that Orthodoxy will magically wave a wand over our lives and make all things new. Sure, I have the enthusiasm of a convert, but as Father Pat told us in our meeting with him last week, Orthodoxy doesn’t change one’s DNA. To paraphrase him, when I wake up on Monday morning, I’ll still be the same freakin’ jerk I am today.
No, my family and I won’t all of a sudden be observing the canonical hours with incense and chanting in front of the icons. No, we won’t all of a sudden be in services every minute there’s a service (toddlers with bedtimes that start at the time of most evening services make that very challenging). I won’t be wearing black, growing my hair and beard long, and begin greeting everyone with “Christ is in our midst.” My daughters won’t be wearing nuns’ habits, and my wife won’t be dressing like a Russian peasant woman. We’ll be the same Kansas and Oklahoma rednecks we’ve always (proudly) been. We’ll just be Orthodox rednecks–Orthonecks, if you will (or Redodox).
To say it the right way ’round: We will all be the exact same sort of sinners we have been.
I suppose one thing will be different: we will have more of the weapons of Christ at our disposal to fight our own sinful tendencies, to work to complete our repentance, and, more importantly, we will have less excuse for the sins we do commit.
More to the point, I reiterated to Anna last night: If she gets to Sunday and doesn’t want to go forward, then we won’t. I will wait a bit longer. There’s no coercion here.
I hope this clarifies things. And I apologize if, in my own (hopefully understandable) anticipation of the realization of a long-held desire I might wax too poetic and rapturous. God forgive me.
And pray for me a sinner.
You won’t be observing the canonical hours? I don’t know that they should let you in.
Judging by your little avatar picture we already thought you had a beard and were wearing black. Now we question your Orthodoxy
I was sorta looking forward to the incense and the peasant grab. Anna would make an excellent babushka.
Um..grab should read garb.
Oy veh.
LOL!!
Clifton,
But of course you’ll have all sorts of free time instantly afforded you once you become Orthodox in which you could read “Gates of Fire”, no?
LOL! You could at least wear a prayer rope around your wrist…sheesh, how is anyone going to know you’re really Orthodox???
Tripp:
Looking forward to grabbing peasants? Oh, dear. I take back my Pentecost comments. You NEED a vacation–and a meeting with your spiritual advisor!
:p
Sophocles:
Um, well, yes, but of course. Um, already into it donchaknow–er, well, not really.
But I’ll get to it once Orthodoxy allows me that extra 25th hour each day for prostrations.
Steve:
Prayer rope around my wrist! We know nothing of this prayer rope around the wrist. It is always 300-knot prayer rope hanging from one’s black leather belt around one’s ryassa!
Clifton,
Glad to hear you’re adding prostrations to your ascetic disciplines along with “Gates”. Regulate your breathing, bring the mind into the heart and you’ll do just fine. We’ll all be impressed with how Orthodox you are.
Me, I just built a pillar by my home to climb up to and my neighbors are getting used to seeing me stand on one leg repeating “The Prayer”. However, some are still not easily convinced I’m a sincere Orthodox even after refusing food for 30 days as I fast. But I hope to convince them completely when they next see me experience the Uncreated Light and I’m once again,(*sigh*) transfigured before their unbelieving, Sadducee-sympathysing, scales-have-yet-to-fall-from, eyes….
Think how much money you will save on your electric bill when the Uncreated light is all you need to see by!
Think how much money you will save on your electric bill when the Uncreated light is all you need to see by!
I’m going to have to go to confession now, just for laughing at that one.
Think how much money you will save on your electric bill when the Uncreated light is all you need to see by!
I’m going to have to go to confession now, just for laughing at that one.
I’m going to have to go to confession now just for thinking, “He’d go to confession for that???”
i’m hopelessly irreverent.