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Do Eastern Christians have the tradition of "offering it up"? Is this part of Eastern spirituality or is it a Latin thing? Does it exist under different terms or is there an Eastern counterpart? How do people (East and West) look at offering intentions and sacrifices? Is this a part of anyone's spirituality here? What are the right (and wrong) attitudes to take?

Dear Manuel,

My humble opinion is that when we are practicing Christians, we are supposed to give our intentions and our whole lives to God and His Will...therefore, whether we 'offer it up', or 'lie it at the foot of the cross', or whatever my Orthodox counterpart of that wording is, we all believe the same thing.

In Christ our God,
Alice

Manuel, we don't really think in those terms, but as Alice mentions, the end understanding is similar. Perhaps "offer it in" might be how we would think of it, as another ascetic effort, another part of the podvig or ascetic struggle towards theosis, intimate communion with our God.

Manuel,

"Offer it up" was a frequent expression shared among Roman Catholics when I was growing up as a Roman Catholic. You still hear it a lot among the older generation and those who have picked it up from them. Back then(40's and 50's) I think it meant that as a person faced a problem or a difficult situation one was to sort of accept it as part of the 'given' of our Catholic lives--and make it a sacrifice to God. We didn't think in terms of 'challenges' and 'opportunities'(for growth) or 'over-coming' so much then as we did - generally 'accepting' whatever it was and going on as best we could.

But for me now when difficulties arise I think first more in terms of praying for change(I am the one who usually needs to change) grace, intervention, healing, help, or what good can come out of a difficult situation or problem(like when I had cancer 15 years ago) etc. but always in seeking and doing God's will in the situation. Prayer and obedience.

Another thing then and now would be to do as Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow me." However, the emphasis in my youth was mostly on the "taking up of the cross", but now the emphasis in my maturity is on the "follow me." But I really think we can't have one without the other.

In that context "Offering it up" to me is like making an oblation. One gives the matter over to God, but acts if necessary. Easier said then done, however, at least for me who would like to be 'in charge.'and move on. So patience and waiting is all part of the process too.

God's ways are not our ways and as the old t.v. series goes---- "Father knows best." So, too, our Heavenly Father knows best and always has the bigger picture. Some things are a mystery to our understanding too and whether we say, "offer it up" or "give it over to God" we are in good hands. Trusting is the key.

I agree with the others though--basically it is the same thought with maybe slightly different emphasis from what I can see - East and West

Eastern Christians (and many in the West) are looking to the Resurrection, the Joy of the Lord, the Celebration of Liturgy and Life - which is our strength. This does not negate the Cross of Jesus or the crosses of life- just gives them --- meaning

Thanks for posting this- it has given me reason to ponder.

In Christ,

Mary Jo..gratefully.

In the Roman Catholic sense... "offing it up" means to offer to God a sacrifice of some discomfort that one must endure anyway. It is part and parcel with the communion of saints and the fact that our own suffering (when done with recognition that is God�s will in this particular instance) does indeed assist Christ is sharing his merits with others. If we can pray for others - than our actions can also be a prayer - and accepting some hardship that must be accepted - is indeed a real dedication and not just words.

Like Padre Pio - who offered up his entire life for others. St Francis who did not take on poverty just for himself.

Yes - there is an Eastern counterpart to this. Many Eastern saint and holy people recognized the part that Providential suffering plays in the redemption of souls.

It is a particular way to join Christ in his work - by picking up your cross not for your own sake alone - but for the sake of others also.

I do not know exactly what it is called in Eastern concepts - but it is certainly recognized in the Russian Orthodox Church in someone like Mother Macarius of Russia (my spelling may be wrong because I know there are links to her on the net but I could not find any). In any event she was born crippled and her life was one tragedy after another - at the same time she was ecstatic and often spoke in vision with Mary who informer her many times that her suffering was helping to save many souls. She was consulted daily by ordinary people and priests alike. She cured many other while never asking for a cure for herself.

In the gospels there were also one or two people who suffered some malady all their lives - and were cured by Jesus - who let them know that they did not suffer it for their own sins - but for the purpose that God would be glorified when Jesus cured them. I believe the man that was lowered through Peter�s roof was one. In that sense their long years of suffering and enduring without losing faith what they could not change - was something that it was the will of God that they endure and it assisted to the salvation of anyone who has ever read their cure in the NT.

Certainly to become a saint entails to endure some pain - for the sake of others. East and West would agree on this. It is inherent in the word �charity� which means �to love God and to love others with God�s own love�.

But one must understand the doctrine of Providence - because suffering by itself is just - well - suffering - and has no redemptive value in itself.

I forget the writer who said it but �no man is an island.�

Also "offering it up" is not always a passive thing either. Sometimes there is something that should be done - some action taken that is not easy to do or to face.

In any event... where the Latin Church members have developed and understanding of this and call it "offering it up" the Eastern churches hold the same belief and it is all bound up into the spiritual life of the entire Church.

-ray

RayK wrote:

I forget the writer who said it but "no man is an Island."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Dear Ray, brother in Christ,


John Donne is the poet.

"No man is an island

entire of itself.

Everyman is a piece of the continent

a part of the Maine"....etc.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

My favorite part is the last line of that poem.

Therefore, never send to know

for whom the bell tolls.

It tolls for Thee.


In Christ,

Mary Jo

Ah yes... each time it tolls it also tolls for me.

Profound. Profound. Each man lost is a part of me that dies.

Each man who comes to life is a part of me that lives. Mt name is - humanity.

Thank you Mary Jo please remember me once in your prayers. I need it.

-ray

I thought (and still think) this had something to do with the "poor souls." When I asked some time back about what that meant that is what I recall hearing.

A BC friend once said that she "made" her communion that day "for" someone. I am not sure what that meant and didn't ask as I knew enough of the particulars (diseas and eventual death of the other person) to not question.

Our High School football coach used to always say when we got injured to "offer it up" as a way of sacrifice during practice or game.

JoeS