“This is why vigilance is called for all throughout the Scriptures. Mindfulness is a virtue that calls us to remember our failings. I believe that is a rightful word to use for sin. The root word of sin is “Hamartia”. It literally means missing the mark. Yes… that’s an accurate summation. Wefrequently miss the mark because of our fallenness. But we are called to do better.  To do better?! What do you mean you ask? Well… consider this. An archer is a highly skilled marksman who is adept at his art through realizing where his weaknesses are and through judicious and plentiful practice and honing of his skills; overcomes them. He then hits the mark 100% of the time because he has become one with his struggle and has mastered himself. This is a good definition of the Orthodox Christian viewpoint of “Theosis”. It is a burning away of all that separates us from God that we eventually become deified in likeness to God (*not in essence, but in imitation of Christ, the one perfect and sinless being who has walked the earth as an example to us and our propitiation for salvation.)”

(Fr. Benedict  of Ascension Monastery in Resaca, GA)

 

***Now and then we include a particularly thought provoking or inspiring excerpt not from one of our regular ‘Elders’***