Quote: Gifts of the Fruit of the...

[Shin]

'The devil tries to soil and defile every good thing a man would do by intermingling with it his own seeds in the form of self-esteem, presumption, complaint, and other things of this kind, so that what we do is not done for God alone, or with a glad heart. Abel offered a sacrifice to God of the fat and firstlings of his flock, while Cain offered gifts of the fruits of the earth, but not of the firstfruits; and that is why God looked with favor on Abel's sacrifices, but paid no attention to Cain's gifts (cf. Gen. 4:3-5). This shows us that it is possible to do something good in the wrong way - that is to say, to do it negligently, or scornfully, or else not for God's sake but for some other purpose; and for this reason it is unacceptable to God.'

St. Symeon Metaphrastis

[Shin]

'of the earth' 'of the fat and firstlings'..

Of the natural.. of the supernatural? 

[Brigid]

This shows us that it is possible to do something good in the wrong way - that is to say, to do it negligently, or scornfully, or else not for God's sake but for some other purpose; and for this reason it is unacceptable to God.'

I would think both natural and supernatural. They are connected, after-all.

[Shin]

Hmm.. I want to envision the various connections..

[martin]

I would think both natural and supernatural. They are connected, after-all.

Isn't everything supernatural in as much that God created it all? Without His constant will nothing would remain in existance so who are we to deny Him anything since everything belongs to Him?

Because the whole world before thee is like a speck that tips the scales, and like a drop of morning dew that falls upon the ground.

But thou art merciful to all, for thou canst do all things, and thou dost overlook men's sins, that they may repent.

For thou lovest all things that exist, and hast loathing for none of the things which thou hast made, for thou wouldst not have made anything if thou hadst hated it.

How would anything have endured if thou hadst not willed it? Or how would anything not called forth by thee have been preserved?

Thou sparest all things, for they are thine, O Lord who lovest the living.  (Wis 11: 22-26)

This was the first reading at Mass yesterday.  Very consoling. 

[Shin]

Hmmm. 

Because the whole world before thee is like a speck that tips the scales, and like a drop of morning dew that falls upon the ground.

But thou art merciful to all, for thou canst do all things, and thou dost overlook men's sins, that they may repent.

For thou lovest all things that exist, and hast loathing for none of the things which thou hast made, for thou wouldst not have made anything if thou hadst hated it.

How would anything have endured if thou hadst not willed it? Or how would anything not called forth by thee have been preserved?

Thou sparest all things, for they are thine, O Lord who lovest the living.  (Wis 11: 22-26)

It's truly beautiful isn't it Martin?

[RachelKH]

It is so true that the evil one tries to take away the good we do by making it more about us than about God.  And even when we succeed in doing things only because they are good, others may look on our deeds and see only an opportunity to look good and then miss the good, thereby building up their cynicism and spreading badness in the wake of the good deeds. 

[Shin]

It is so true that the evil one tries to take away the good we do by making it more about us than about God.  And even when we succeed in doing things only because they are good, others may look on our deeds and see only an opportunity to look good and then miss the good, thereby building up their cynicism and spreading badness in the wake of the good deeds.  

How touching and Providential I think that you note this, when next in the thread on tears, St. Ephraem does too.