The word "Monastery" literally means "House of Repentance."
Most people can picture a Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox Monastery. Monks, Nuns, Robes, Vows of Celibacy, Vows of Poverty, Works of Charity, and Holy Lives.
But how does a married Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholic or Protestant Christian make his own secular home and secular life a "House of Repentance?"
The word "secular" in this context means any endeavor or organization which is non-ecclesiastical or non-church or non-ministry based.
From this understanding of things, my family is an ongoing "House of Repentance" for me, as is my workplace and my network of associations and friendships both inside of and outside of my local parish church.
For this first post, I will simply list a few phrases to generate thought about this subject of repentance.
"It's Your Kindness Lord, That Leads Us To Repentance."
"Behold the goodness and severity of The Lord. For those who have fallen, behold His severity for those who follow Him, life and peace."
"Woe to those who are treacherous without excuse."
"Every Prating Fool comes to ruin."
"Repent and be Baptized, every one of you, for the remission of your sins."
And finally these:
"I confess that I have sinned against Thee in thought, word and deed by what I have done and by what I have left undone. I have not loved You with my whole Heart. I have not loved my neighbor as myself. I do earnestly repent, and am heartily sorry for these my misdoings. The rememberance of them is greivous unto us, the burden of them is intolerable."
"I Believe Oh Lord That You are The Christ, the Son of the Living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief."
I will periodically update this blog as I explore and reflect on my own journey of repentance and where I succeed or fail at it, from my perspective.
Blessings in the Holy Trinity, One God
Columba Silouan
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