CHRISTIAN PERFECTION

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Excerpts from a treatise on Christian Perfection by St Gregory of Nyssa
(2nd reading of the Office of Reading, 24 Jun 2019)


Christ should be manifest in our whole life
















The life of the Christian has three distinguishing aspects:
  • deeds,
  • words,
  • thoughts.

Our words express openly the interior conclusions of the mind. 

Our deeds carry out what the mind has conceived. 

We must make sure that all our thoughts, words and deeds are controlled by the divine ideal, the revelation of Christ.


We must examine our thoughts, words and deeds, to see whether they are directed towards Christ or are turned away from him.

  • If our deeds, thoughts or words issue from passion, they are not in harmony with Christ..

  • If our deeds, thoughts or words are free from and untainted by every passionate inclination, they are directed towards Christ


Christ is the author and source of peace.
 
  • If we draw from him the thoughts in your mind and the inclinations of our heart, we will show a likeness to Christ, your source and origin.

  • The purity of Christ and the purity that is manifest in our hearts are identical.

  •  Our life is stamped with the beauty of his thought.

  • The mind of Christ is the controlling influence that inspires us to moderation and goodness in our behaviour.

Christian perfection consists in this: sharing the titles which express the meaning of Christ’s name, we bring out this meaning in our minds, our prayers and our way of life.

Full text in the Office of Reading (Scroll to 2nd reading)


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