Posted by Al
on 6/9/2009, 2:00 pm, in reply to "Re: Pre-Conciliar Consultation "
Message modified by user Al 6/9/2009, 2:34 pm
Dean & Fr David-
I have no argument with Dean's concluding BTW. It is spot on. My comments have been to address that as wrong as some of the current attitudes might be, they are satisfying to those who hold them, and they are not only going unchallenged by our supposed "leaders", but are often reinforced. And, any unity that is not outward looking and all inclusive will simply continue the downward spiral. Proper polity alone will not correct what is making us die out.
And, Father, amongst those parishes that espouse "growth", I can say from first hand experience, some proponents express a desire to "grow" only to find more people to pay the bills. I will never forget the look on a catechumen's face the day that a parish council member announced how important it was to bring in new members - "or we will all have to raise our pledges". And the sorrowful fact was that he meant it. Think about that.
In response to my reflection at OCANews.org, one person wrote:
Re: "Will we be counted among the sheep or the goats?"
Actually, the Orthodox way of asking the question is: "Will*I* be counted among the sheep or the goats?"
We are commanded to make disciples of all nations for the salvation of their souls, not just our own individual souls. Orthodox Christianity is not an egocentric faith. The "Two Greatest Commandments" are Theocentric and exocentric, not egocentric. The failings you cite are egocentric in nature, and ignore our neighbors and the salvation of their souls. Evangelization isn't for evangelization sake alone. It is for the salvation of souls - other people's souls.
A parish community spends some 150 hours or so a year in worship and study together. Do they spend even 1/2 that time in ministering, as a community of believers, to the needs of the least among them. Is the emphasis egocentric or exocentric?
We have a long way to go.
Al
Paros Island, Greece
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