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Seeing is Becoming: The Mirror of Contemplation in St Gregory of Nyssa’s Commentary on the Song of Songs

By Father Matthew Baker St. Gregory of Nyssa’s Commentary on the Song of Songs offers a profound contemplative theology in which the category of vision occupies a central place. To see correctly for Gregory involves a process in which exegesis and askesis, a proper interpretation of scriptural images and the purification of the soul’s eye, are inseparable, having as their common goal the vision of God. All vision is tied to imitation, and subject to

The Fifth Monday of Great Lent

Our Mind is like a Flute The Creator has bestowed divine beauty on us by adding, to his own image in us, the likeness of the qualities he himself possesses. This beauty brings with it other benefits with which God has generously enriched our human nature. For instance we ought to consider our minds as far more than a gift. They are a way of sharing the mind of God. But the mind by itself,

The Fourth Wednesday of Great Lent

The Body was Made by One who Knows What He is Doing Look within yourself. From your own nature you can learn something of your Maker. There is nothing to be ashamed of in your body. If you are in control of its members, they are not in the slightest evil. Adam and Eve in paradise were naked at first and their bodies did not appear shameful or disgusting. Our limbs do not cause sin,

The Beauty of Shyness

The Beauty of Shyness There is something beautiful about shyness, even though in our culture shyness is not considered a virtue. On the contrary, we are encouraged to be direct, look people straight in the eyes, tell them what is on our minds, and share our stories without a blush. But this unflinching soul-baring, confessional attitude quickly becomes boring. It is like trees without shadows. Shy people have long shadows, where they keep much of