The Sacrament of Initiation
St. Theophan the Recluse is a great 19th century Russian saint who demonstrated in his life and work, the power of the presence of the Holy Spirit. He is not well known in the usual sense of the word because he never sought notoriety during his lifetime, but lived a simple life of devotion to prayer and solitude. The letters that he wrote in response to the heartfelt questions of Orthodox believers have been compiled into books that have become spiritual classics on prayer and mysticism in our time.
As I continue on my journey to "becoming" an Orthodox Christian I am both inspired and overwhelmed by the wisdom and level of discipline that is demonstrated by saints like Theophan.
Last night, as I was reading "The Art of Prayer", an Orthodox anthology on the spiritual life. I came across this quote from St. Theophan that challenged me and, at the same time, made me feel rather helpless and hopeless:
" A mystical communion with our Lord Jesus Christ is granted to believers in the holy sacrament of baptism. At baptism and chrismation (sacrament of receiving the "seal" of the Holy Spirit) grace enters into the heart of the Christian, and thereafter remains constantly within him, helping him to live in a Christian way and to go from strength to strength in the spiritual life.
All of us who have been baptized and chrismated, have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. He is in all of us, but He is not active in all of us."
- The Art of Prayer, pg. 172
After reading this I was overcome with an incredible sense of separation and longing. I want so badly to have the Holy Spirit active in me, and not just active on me. In all my experience with Christianity I have struggled with experiencing the real presence of the Holy Spirit. I now understand why I never was able to really feel close to Christ - although the Holy Spirit was leading me, impacting me from the outside, it was not yet living in me. The somewhat casual approach to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that I'd always held because of my exposure to Protestant Christianity had limited my full appropriation of this gift. I had experienced leadings from the Holy Spirit, but not the inward regeneration.
The Orthodox Church takes conversion very seriously. It's not just walking an aisle and "accepting" Jesus. It is a lifelong commitment to a lifestyle. I feel a little frustrated about what on the surface, appears to be a rather "legalistic" process. But, I'm beginning to understand that although a relationship with God is purely based on faith through the gift of grace. I must allow the Holy Spirit to work on me, to humble me, to prepare me, to cleanse me, so that it can work in me completely. The temple of the Holy Spirit must be cleared so that it can become a house of prayer, and sometimes the Lord has to use a "whip of cords" to accomplish this (John 2:15).
So, my frustration is maturing into eager anticipation as I realize that although I may never attain the saintliness of St. Theophan - I will receive the blessing of the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, which can do nothing less than bring me closer to the Lord of All. May He receive the glory, both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen
1 comment:
I read your posting on the baptism and chrismation (sacrament of receiving the "seal" of the Holy Spirit). I have always wondered about baptism in the Holy Spirit, whether it occurs at acceptance of Christ or if it's a separate event altogether. Two examples stand out in my mind. Cornelius and his family received the Holy Spirit while Peter was still talking, then were baptized with water. Then "certain disciples" had already been baptized with water (unto John's Baptism) but had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit. Paul lays hands on them and they receive the Holy Spirit. In my humble opinion I think it is a separate happening.
What or who makes the deciding factor that indeed "A mystical communion with our Lord Jesus Christ is granted to believers in the holy sacrament of baptism." What of those Protestants that have received that baptism of the Holy Spirit and show in word and deed the evidence of that? They never had a priest confirm they have been sealed with the Holy Spirit but their lives reflect the witness of Christ and the Holy Spirit working in them.
Below are the two examples from scripture I mentioned from the book of Acts. (KJV only, please)
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues[b] and praising God.
Then Peter said, 47"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7And all the men were about twelve.
Don
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