03 Mar '18 02:39>
In a prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos, we can read the lines:
In many of these classical prayers, there are references to people being deadened by passions.
This stands in stark contrast with many of us moderns who view passion as a positive thing. It implies some profound expression of the self. However, much of our passions are not like this at all but rather represent a connection with a powerful, emotional force that rests within us.
We certainly shouldn't be dead to our emotions, but what is logical about being allowed to be controlled by these emotions and passions? Nothing.
Indeed, much of these celebrated passions, I would contend, may even go back to the erotic and selfish desires within us and are not actually positive expressions, and it is all of us who are deadened by passions and not actually enlivened by them.
I sing of thy grace, O Sovereign Lady, and I pray thee to grace my mind. Teach me to step aright in the way of Christ's commandments. Strengthen me to keep awake in song, and drive away the sleep of despondency. O Bride of God, by thy prayers release me, bound with the bonds of sin. Guard me by night and by day, and deliver me from foes that defeat me. O bearer of God the Life-giver, enliven me who am deadened by passions...
In many of these classical prayers, there are references to people being deadened by passions.
This stands in stark contrast with many of us moderns who view passion as a positive thing. It implies some profound expression of the self. However, much of our passions are not like this at all but rather represent a connection with a powerful, emotional force that rests within us.
We certainly shouldn't be dead to our emotions, but what is logical about being allowed to be controlled by these emotions and passions? Nothing.
Indeed, much of these celebrated passions, I would contend, may even go back to the erotic and selfish desires within us and are not actually positive expressions, and it is all of us who are deadened by passions and not actually enlivened by them.