Categories: orthodox-life
Date: 20 November 2004 21:27:28
unordered asked some very good questions in the comments section of my last post. Thanks for asking. I too had, and have, similar questions. And I'd be lying if I said I still don't question in my mind. (Also, if anyone has any questions, as always -- ask: though I am but a simple enquirer I shall attempt to answer as best I can (or bother my priest for the answers! ;-))
In terms of the readings being "difficult": indeed. I often need to read things a few times. But there is much said, often with few words, and I do find it useful to meditate upon.
In terms of a heritage that is Bible-only, I too came from that heritage so I can understand. And I admit I still have difficulties when I hear "tradition" or similar: may God help me. There may be other places where it is written, but the The Protoevangelium of James gives a description of the events of Mary going to the Temple. In terms of it not being in the Bible, the books of the NT Bible were decided based on Apostolic authorship. As I learnt last night, through a wise sub-deacon, the writings of Ignatius, Ploycarp and Clement were at one time considered for inclusion, but the Church decided that Apostolic authorship would be one of the criterion for inclusion. This does not mean these other books are useless, far from it; simply that they are not in the received Canon of Scripture.
With regards to Mary being free from lust and all pure, that is one of the teachings of the Orthodox Church that by her own free will she remained sinless (and that she was ever-Virgin). As she would bear God Incarnate in her womb, she entered the Temple to become the living temple of God. Another focus for the Feast is the end of the physical temple in Jerusalem as the dwelling place of God and the reminder, as St Paul wrote, that we too are to become the living temples of God:
For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said,So, even though this is a Feast that rightly honours Mary's place in our salvation [as she gave birth to God Incarnate], as with all Feasts and with all mentions of Church Fathers and saints and so on, their lives and actions server to point towards what God has done. Mary is honoured because of what God has done through her and with her co-operation; the saints are honoured because of what they have done for Christ. Our eyes must ever be towards God, and what He has done for us.
"I will dwell in them and walk among them;
And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(2 Corinthians 6:16)
Again, thanks for asking. I hope the brief answers I've given help to answer your questions. It is always good to ensure that I in fact understand what I am learning ;-), and I hope I can help others to see where I am coming from.