A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine. I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in […]
Worthiness to partake of the Eucharist is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Several prayers throughout the liturgy attest to this as the priest and congregation pray for mercy, purity, and holiness. The Word of God and the Holy Spirit which sanctifies and changes the oblation is the same grace that is invoked to work within and transform the people also.
Why did He humble Himself? asks the pragmatical thought of Mar Jacob, and gives answer: It was destined that His Son would humble himself when was to save the image of his Father? And indeed, in his Hymns, Mar Jacob completes his vision of the first creation, introducing the second one, where Virgin Mary now appears as a new heaven, while her pure womb became Christ’s first abode.
It is in this spirit that theological work happens, and by theology I am not merely referring to only those who undertake the tasks of theological teaching and research. Theology has to do with the examination of the claims made, both those made verbally in the confession of the faith and those that are ‘performed’ through the practices of the Christian life. The responsibility for that has always been greater than the community’s theological teachers.
