Scuze pentru spamul in engleza de mai jos, dar mi se pare important continutul. Pe scurt, autorul (father Stephen, de care vorbeam pe alt topic) ne indeamna sa fim atenti la "sentimentele", "starea de bine" si eventuala exaltare pe care o simtim in relatia cu ceea ce am putea numi Dumnezeu - gresind.
Citat:
And this is part of the disease of religion – for make no mistake – religion is frequently a disease.
Relgious feelings (the Pharisees were masters of them) are deceptive in the extreme. I think I feel like praying, I am in fact feeling “pious.” And it’s a deep tragedy. I am not ready to pray – I’m eaten up with myself as a pious man.
When you feel like a Publican, then you can pray like a Publican. Many times people will tell me, “Father, I can’t serve in the altar today, I don’t feel worthy.” No doubt. But you’re in much greater danger when you do feel worthy.
Those who speak a great deal about spiritual experiences are either in delusion or far worse. They should be avoided as guides for daily living. They can be the source of great confusion and sadness.
The experience of God is a sober thing and a sobering thing. It pushes us towards quiet and stillness and abhors the violation of intimacy. God is not a “high” (as in, “I am high on Jesus”), nor does God exist for the sake of our endorphins.
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