January 30, 2007
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Pride
Pride is a denial of God,
an invention of the devil,
contempt for men.
It is the mother of condemnation,
the offspring of praise,
a sign of barrenness.
It is a flight from God’s help,
the harbinger of madness,
the author of downfall.
It is the cause of diabolical possession,
the source of anger,
the gateway of hypocrisy.
It is the fortress of demons,
the custodian of sins,
the source of hardheartedness.
It is the denial of compassion,
a bitter pharisee,
a cruel judge.
It is the foe of God.
It is the root of blasphemy.John Climacus as quoted in The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris
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This devastating quote stopped me, stunned me. Each time I read it a different phrase sticks like Velcro to my soul.Gateway of hypocrisy
Custodian of sinsI am reading The Cloister Walk slowly and intermittently. Norris’s journal of extended visits to a Benedictine monastery dovetail beautifully with our study of medieval life and literature; her meditations bring that far distant time of monks and tonsures closer to the now. The book is structured around the liturgical year, an idea which is so foreign to my low church upbringing.Norris is very L’English to me: at times I appreciate her style, the poetry in her soul which illumines the prose, more than the substance of her words. For example, I think it very strange that a married woman would spend months apart from her husband in a monastery. Maybe there were extenuating circumstances which she chose not to include in her book. Undoubtedly our theology would zig zag were we to line it up side by side. Nevertheless gems of insight, piercing perception, pop off the page as I continue reading.
Which one of these phrases grabs you today?[Added: More about John Climacus and excerpts on the memory of insults, hypocrisy and lies, and love as light, fire and flame.]
Comments (7)
Which of the phrases?? All of them.
Who is John Climacus? (And what does “L’English” mean?) When did Mrs. Norris write?
Climacus was a desert monk from Sinai. Sixth century, I think, (and am too lazy to look up).
I wondered if I should explain L’English. It means like Madeleine L’Engle. The Cloister Walk was written in 1996. She’s also published several collections of poetry and two other books, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography in 1993 and Amazing Grace in 1998. I’m borrowing KGB’s book – I’m sure you could borrow when I’m done. I’ve had it over a year.
I own one of Norris’s books, Amazing Grace…each chapter discussies a *religious* word. I find her interesting: her writing and her life. Do you own Quotidienne Mysteries? That one sounds good, too.
But, like Bonnie, all of her phrases grab me. I cant read too much and one time. I like to bite off a bit and chew on it for a while…swirl it around on my spiritual tastebuds, like you banner quote
Blessings from GA,
Dana
Yes, Dana, I have Quotidian Mysteries. Melissa quoted from it on Donna’s blog and I had to get it. That’s the source of my Norris fascination. I’d love to read both Amazing Grace and Dakota. If you’d like to borrow QM I’d glady mail it to you. It’s a very small book and fit into my purse. I remember reading it in odd spaces of time, like waiting in the car while my son picked something up at the store.
The sign of barrenness
The author of downfall
GOOD STUFF.
I have Quotidian Mysteries, and her book of poems Journey.
Love your “L’English” description. Perfect.
Diane
A sign of barrenness. It is the root of blasphemy.
What are the other signs of barrenness, I wonder?
The harbinger of madness
The source of anger
the gateway of hypocrisy
Quite convicting! Thank you.
L’English=L’Engle LOL!!!!