MY NAME IS.....AND I AM AN "ORTHOHOLIC"
Someone asked me a few weeks ago if I considered myself to be Catholic or Orthodox. My answer; that I'm an Orthodox Catholic, an Ortho-holic, although sounding like an attempt to be snappy or quick, is actually quite legitimate.
Although, the Orthodox view of some aspects of theology is not completely in agreement with that of the Roman Catholic view - I see this as a matter of interpretation rather than as a matter of division. I do miss certain aspects of Orthodox worship like the extensive use of incense, bowing and prostrating. But, Catholic teaching in itself doesn't really have a problem with those things, it tends to be more a matter of personal choice of a local parish - (i.e. some people are allergic to incense, and the smoke, if excessive, can be very irritating to those with sensitive eyes) so I do my incense burning and prostrating privately - which is probably more appropriate anyway - I shouldn't be doing it publicly to "impress" anyone, after all, it's meant to come from the heart; as I worship and pray in secret (St. Matthew Chap. 6:6).
So, I'd like to consider myself an Orthoholic - the other connotation of this word obviously implies that I'm in a program of recovery, which I also think is appropriate as a way of describing the Christian path of salvation - not an event, but a process of transformation. In Catholicism, (and Orthodoxy) salvation is not a one-time decision, but a daily life-choice. Like other "recovery" programs, it deals with the daily decision to surrender to a "higher power." It also means confessing my faults and failures, and keeping a thorough inventory of myself, and giving and seeking forgiveness.
A few years ago, someone developed a 12-Step program for Christians - I think it's pretty good:
TWELVE STEPS FOR ORTHO-HOLICS
STEP ONE is about recognizing our brokenness
We admitted we were powerless over the effects of our separation from God – that our lives had become unmanageable
I know nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out (ROMANS 7:18)
STEP TWO is about the birth of faith in us
Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. (PHILLIPIANS 2:13)
STEP THREE involves a decision to let God be in charge of our lives
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship. (ROMANS 12:1)
STEP FOUR involves self-examination
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. (LAMENTATIONS 3:40)
STEP FIVE is the discipline of confession
Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed
(JAMES 5:16)
STEP SIX is an inner transformation sometimes called repentance
Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up (JAMES 4:10)
STEP SEVEN involves the transformation or purification of our character
Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
(1JOHN 1:9)
STEP EIGHT involves examining our relationships and preparing ourselves to make amends
Made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (LUKE 6:31)
STEP NINE is the discipline of making amends
Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (MATTHEW 5:23-24)
STEP TEN is about maintaining progress in recovery
Continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall. (1 CORINTHIANS 10:12)
STEP ELEVEN involves the spiritual disciplines of prayer and meditation
Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (COLOSSIANS 3:16)
STEP TWELVE is about ministry
Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, as you also may be tempted. (GALATIANS 6:1)
No comments:
Post a Comment