“Paulist” , I like that name, very much “truth in labelng”
Reminds me of a time in my life when I could only describe myself as a monotheist with a strong belief in the Gospel of John and great reservations in the writings of Paul.
Once, the most pious Archbishop of Antioch summoned eight bishops from the surrounding cities to confer with him concerning certain matters pertaining to the Church. Among them was my own Bishop, the holy man of God Nonnus, who came from Heliopolis, taking me with him. He was a very great man, a perfect monk, who, by reason of his virtuous life, was taken from his Monastery of Tabenna and made a bishop…. [As all the bishops were sitting on the Church portico,] a woman, an unbeliever, who was the most notorious harlot in all of Antioch, passed before the doors of the church. She was very haughty and was adorned in costly robes and gold, precious stones, and pearls, and she was accompanied by a multitude of youths and maidens, splendidly clad, who wore necklaces of gold. Such was the beauty of her face, that carnal men could not grow weary of the sight of it. As she passed by us, the air was entirely filled with fragrance, and seeing that her head was uncovered and her shoulders naked, the bishops lowered their eyes and sighed, turning away their faces as if from great sin. But the blessed Nonnus stared at her long and intently until she passed out of sight. Then he turned toward the bishops and said, “Did not the wonderful beauty of that woman delight you?”
But they did not answer him. And Nonnus lowered his head and wept, and his tears fell upon his handkerchief and his breast. He sighed from the depths of his heart and again asked the bishops, “Did not her beauty delight you?”
But they remained silent. Then said Nonnus, “Truly, I learned much from her, for the Lord will set that woman before us at His dread judgment and on her account condemn us. For what do you think? How many hours has this woman remained in her room, bathing and clothing herself, adorning herself in every way, gazing into her mirror, her every thought and concern directed toward appearing as the fairest of women in the eyes of her mortal admirers. But we who have in heaven a Bridegroom eternal, upon Whom the angels desire to gaze, take no thought for the adornment of our wretched souls, which are vile, naked, and full of shame. We do not care to wash them with tears of repentance and to clothe them with the comeliness of the virtues, that they might be pleasing in God’s sight and that we be not put to shame and cast out at the wedding of the Lamb. If only her soul had been as carefully adorned as her flesh.”
I always thought it was a bit rude to wear a hat indoors. I think that the light bulb over the head of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus was how to enlist rather than destroy the followers of the Nazarene. I’d rather the Ethiop eunuch than the Roman Jew.
Plods with ...™ almost 14 years ago
He’s just jealous that she outranks him.
runar almost 14 years ago
Typical. Putting the words of Paul ahead of the Gospels. Most “Christian” denominations should actually call themselves “Paulist”.
starlilies almost 14 years ago
Hmmmm… on that note, guess we shouldn’t be singing in the choir either….
GrammyMiles21227 almost 14 years ago
I would like to make a comment, but I must wait and ask permission from my husband.
Dewsolo almost 14 years ago
Ah good old Paul.
“Paulist” , I like that name, very much “truth in labelng”
Reminds me of a time in my life when I could only describe myself as a monotheist with a strong belief in the Gospel of John and great reservations in the writings of Paul.
Templo S.U.D. almost 14 years ago
Question: What about women speaking from the pulpit even when they aren’t a minister? Does that have anything against First Corinthians 14:34?
taker48 almost 14 years ago
I thought we were all GOD’s children, maybe I was misinformed
bmonk almost 14 years ago
@michaelwme, that reminds me of this story:
Once, the most pious Archbishop of Antioch summoned eight bishops from the surrounding cities to confer with him concerning certain matters pertaining to the Church. Among them was my own Bishop, the holy man of God Nonnus, who came from Heliopolis, taking me with him. He was a very great man, a perfect monk, who, by reason of his virtuous life, was taken from his Monastery of Tabenna and made a bishop…. [As all the bishops were sitting on the Church portico,] a woman, an unbeliever, who was the most notorious harlot in all of Antioch, passed before the doors of the church. She was very haughty and was adorned in costly robes and gold, precious stones, and pearls, and she was accompanied by a multitude of youths and maidens, splendidly clad, who wore necklaces of gold. Such was the beauty of her face, that carnal men could not grow weary of the sight of it. As she passed by us, the air was entirely filled with fragrance, and seeing that her head was uncovered and her shoulders naked, the bishops lowered their eyes and sighed, turning away their faces as if from great sin. But the blessed Nonnus stared at her long and intently until she passed out of sight. Then he turned toward the bishops and said, “Did not the wonderful beauty of that woman delight you?”
But they did not answer him. And Nonnus lowered his head and wept, and his tears fell upon his handkerchief and his breast. He sighed from the depths of his heart and again asked the bishops, “Did not her beauty delight you?”
But they remained silent. Then said Nonnus, “Truly, I learned much from her, for the Lord will set that woman before us at His dread judgment and on her account condemn us. For what do you think? How many hours has this woman remained in her room, bathing and clothing herself, adorning herself in every way, gazing into her mirror, her every thought and concern directed toward appearing as the fairest of women in the eyes of her mortal admirers. But we who have in heaven a Bridegroom eternal, upon Whom the angels desire to gaze, take no thought for the adornment of our wretched souls, which are vile, naked, and full of shame. We do not care to wash them with tears of repentance and to clothe them with the comeliness of the virtues, that they might be pleasing in God’s sight and that we be not put to shame and cast out at the wedding of the Lamb. If only her soul had been as carefully adorned as her flesh.”
ChukLitl Premium Member almost 14 years ago
I always thought it was a bit rude to wear a hat indoors. I think that the light bulb over the head of Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus was how to enlist rather than destroy the followers of the Nazarene. I’d rather the Ethiop eunuch than the Roman Jew.
comicgos almost 14 years ago
What does the bible have to do with comics?
Ooops! Premium Member almost 14 years ago
Depends on the comic?
bmonk almost 14 years ago
@comicgos, because that’s the way the author writes it…