Arunachal

 Orthodoxy is often both/and instead of either/or. Today is a feast of Mary in the Orthodox Church; some might be surprised that we read one of the most commonly misunderstood passages about her in the liturgies of her feasts: “While he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out and said to him 'Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed!' He replied, 'RATHER, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it.'” [Lk. 11:28, emph. mine] The point for us being this: no one has heard the word of God and kept it better than she has. But the English translation should be much better here, because the word μενοῦνγε (meh-NOON-geh), often translated as “No, but rather” — in other words, as a denial followed by a contrast — can mean “Yes, and moreover...!” — in other words, as an affirmation followed by an addition! The word does *exactly* this in Phil. 3:7-8: “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the ...

 Jesus never said hurt those who hurt you, seek revenge and be bitter and resentful toward those who curse you. He never taught us to hold grudges, to be mean, spiteful and condemn. Jesus said "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.† “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as m...