The Father's house part 3: when you get out of orbit

Saint Palamas exposits the heart as the Father's house  and the wandering mind  as a prodigal son (see part 2).  We are returned to the Father's house when we enter into the chamber of the heart and meet His embrace.  We close the door and lock up the mind in the celli (Mt.6).  This is one of many images he appropriates from the Scripture to illustrate the nature of communion with the Lord.  This relates to  another image the Scripture uses, which I want to look at.

The Scripture says that fallen angels are wandering stars.  They πλανουσι planousi, wander like a planet out of trajectory.  Noetic beings have a circular  motion-  they orbit around the Sun of righteousness Jesus Christ (Mal.4.2)  This is the natural state of a noetic being. And us how so?

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy whereunto ye do well that you take heed until the day dawn  and the day  star  arise in your hearts." (2 Pe.1.18)

The mind is to  be simply attentive in it's movements toward the presence of the Lord who  resides within  the heart  illuminating us.

LEX ORANDI  LEX CREDENDI

Many times the prayers of the Church are omitted in discussing doctrinal  matters.  Howbeit they  provide the actual interpretation  for many matters, and so we have understood traditionally that the rule of prayer is the rule of faith.

Morning priestly prayers

Third Prayer

In the night season our soul awaketh early unto thee, O God, for thy precepts are a light. Teach us thy righteousness, thy commandments and thy statutes, O God. Enlighten the eyes of our understanding, lest at any time we sleep unto death in sins. Dispel all darkness from our hearts. Graciously give unto us the Sun of Righteousness, and preserve our life unassailed, by the seal of thy Holy Spirit. Guide our steps into the way of peace. Grant us to behold the dawn and the day with joy, that we may raise our morning prayers unto thee. For thine is the dominion, and thine is the majesty and the power and the glory: of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Ninth Prayer

Illumine our hearts, O Sovereign Master, who lovest man-kind, with the pure light of thy wisdom, and open the eyes of our understanding to the comprehension of the proclamation of thy Gospel. Implant in us, also, the fear of thy blessed commandments; that trampling down all carnal appetites, we may lead a godly life, both thinking and doing always such things as are well pleasing in thy sight. For thou art our sanctification, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Twelfth Prayer

We praise thee, we hymn thee, we bless thee, we give thanks unto thee, O God of our fathers, that thou hast brought us in safety through the shades of night, and hast shown unto us once again the light of day. And we entreat of thy goodness: Be gracious unto our sins, and accept our prayer in thy great tenderness of heart. For we flee unto thee, the merciful and almighty God. Shine in our hearts with the true Sun of thy Righteousness; enlighten our mind and guard all our senses; that walking uprightly as in the day, in the way of thy statutes, we may attain unto life eternal (for with thee is the source of life) : and graciously be permitted to come unto the fruition of the light unapproachable. For thou art our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

When we get out of orbit 

When  we stop turning  inward to the Lord for help  then we have become like a planet out of orbit,  headed for destruction.  Let's always strive to  follow His pull.