"In fact, many, many times I have felt closer to you all than I have to the Catholic view."
Now I find that fascinating! Usually Western Christians are more drawn to Latin ways rather than Orthodox ones.
In Orthodoxy, The Church teaches that it is the Holy Spirit who leads us to repentence which allows us to lay aside our involvement "in the world" which has lead to our existence "of the world", an existence where a parasitical Evil One rules. The Holy Spirit does not approach us in clouds of smoke and fire, or with some sort of spiritual brass band and loud commands. Archmandrite Sophrony put it well:
"The Holy Spirit comes when we are receptive. He does not compel. He approaches so meekly that we may not even notice. If we would know the Holy Spirit we need to examine ourselves in the light of the Gospel teaching, to detect any other presence which may prevent the Holy Spirit from entering into our souls. We must not wait for God to force Himself on us without our consent. God respects and does not constrain man. It is amazing how God humbles Himself before us. He loves us with a tender love, not haughtily, not with condescension. And when we open our hearts to Him we are overwhelmed by the conviction that He is indeed our Father. The soul then worships in love."
This humility, this meekness of approach, which characterizes God does indeed seem at odds with the attributes we as humans give to Almighty God. Just as God's Justice is not our justice, so our conceptions of Divine Majesty likely are not God's conception. This sense of the humility of God, this understanding that it is through humility and meekness that we can advamce in theosis is a concept found all through Orthodox theology and praxis. +John Chrysostomos, Patriarch of Constantinople and my favorite among the Fathers (his name means "The Golden Mouthed") wrote a prayer which is said at Communion time during Orthodox Divine Liturgies. He was a powerful man, a man at the pinacle of The Church in the East, who died an exile's death.
" I believe, Lord, and confess, that You are truly the Christ, Son of the living God, Who came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the greatest. I also believe that this is truly Your spotless Body, and that this is truly Your precious Blood. Wherefore I pray You: have mercy on me and forgive my offenses, whether or not intended, whether committed in word or deed, knowingly or unwittingly; and count me worthy to share without judgment in Your pure Mysteries, for remission of sins and for everlasting life. Amen.
You have beguiled me with yearning, O Christ, and by love divine transformed me. Consume my sins in ethereal flame, and let me be filled with the sheer delight of You, O Gracious Lord, that leaping for joy, I may magnify both Your Advents.
How shall I, so unworthy, come into the splendor of Your Saints? If I dare to enter the bridal feast, my clothing will disgrace me, since it is not a wedding garment. Then I shall be bound and cast out by the angels. In Your love, Lord, purge my soul and save me.
Loving Master, Lord Jesus Christ my God, let not these holy Gifts become a judgment against me because of my unworthiness, but for the cleansing and sanctification of both soul and body, and as an earnest of the future life and kingdom. It is good for me to cling to God, to place in Him the hope of my salvation.
Receive me today, Son of God, as a partaker of Your mystical supper; for I will not reveal the Mystery to Your enemies, nor give You a kiss as did Judas. But as the thief I confess You: Lord, remember me in Your kingdom."
Thanks for the passages from Archmandrite Sophrony, and the prayer from +John Chrysostomos. You know how I feel about the free will issue, so I'm not sure we can have a meeting of the minds there. :) And, while I saw theological differences, all in all, I liked the tone and intent from both men. You found another good example of what I was saying.
Shifting gears a little, this passage may be another example of the terminology issue we have been discussing. I note that it says here that God humbles Himself before us. That could be taken two ways, at least. I would agree that Christ was humble IN FRONT OF men, but not TO men. Do you see it the same way? I ask in connection with the concept that God "respects" man. This idea also could mean many things.