Process

“…“what does it mean to process something?” To process something means to have gained understanding and acceptance about any particular experience, event, or change. It means to have gained a sense of mastery over an experience. It means what happened is now understood, assimilated into our lives, and we have found peace and closure. It may also mean having to get out any emotion associated with the event such as grief or temporary anger. There might be tears or there might be venting. Quite simply, to accomplish this, we have to spend time thinking about what occurred and what meanings we assigned to the event, or experience, or change. We do not do this to stay stuck, we do this so we can move on and not be hindered anymore.” (Fr. Joshua Makoul)

“Humans are dynamic beings, always changing and growing. Realizing the truth of one’s self and reorienting is an ongoing process throughout life… “Every time we refuse to die to the godless self, the life of God in us weakens. The process of dying to ourselves takes a lot out of us.” (Kevin Scherer, Marlena Graves)

“The true acquisition of virtue is a long, slow process shaped in the practices of a lifetime. It is marked by the integrity of our inner life united with the actions of our outer life. The commandments of Christ direct us towards this fundamental integrity. For example, His commandments direct us in actions for those in need. They do not, however, enjoin us about moral sentiments for those in need. That you feel caring for the poor is a good thing may mean next to nothing. Indeed, action driven by moral sentiment may have no more value than an inner drive to avoid shame. That same inner drive will likely impel a person to judge and despise those who do not affirm their actions or oppose them. Their care for the poor becomes an engine of hatred towards others.” (Father Stephen Freeman)

“We read to nurture the soul, and Proverbs are the food that sustains our life in Christ. God says, “Receive the words of my commandment and hide them within yourself” (Proverbs 2:1). The image of hiding indicates that gaining wisdom is first and foremost an inner process. We are to hear in our spirit, integrating the words into heart and soul. Then wisdom will appear in the form of action. Wisdom when acquired takes the form of life-giving habits, and godly habits in turn form the “smooth paths of righteousness” that allow us to “dwell in the land” where our good God chooses to place us (Proverbs 2:20, 22).” (Dynamis 3/4/2020)

“Christ is able to save because He is fully God and fully human (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15). Since this verse speaks to Jesus’ present intercession for us, the word save in this verse speaks of our sanctification, the continuing process by which we are freed from the power of sin. This continuing process of salvation will eventually be completed in our glorification, when we are saved from the presence of sin…the lifelong process of salvation requires that we cooperate with God’s grace, that we might be transformed by the Holy Spirit and made holy. If we are to spend eternity with God, transformation must take place.” (Foundation Study Bible, Hebrews 7:25, Abbot Tryphon)

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