Metanoia: Reflections of a Latter Day Fool

Thanks to Jeff Doyle at Handmeon who emailed me this information from Wikipedia: In the Eastern Orthodox Church there are three forms of genuflection.

Bow--this is a simple momentary inclination of the head and shoulders, without bending the knees. In some situations it is accompanied by the Sign of the Cross

Metanoia (metany; поясной поклон, poyasnoy poklon)--similar to the bow, but deeper; sometimes referred to as a "bow to the waist." The metanoia requires making the Sign of the Cross either before or after the bow, depending upon the tradition of the church;^[3] bending at the waist without bending the knees, so that the worshipper's head is level with his or her waist; touching the floor with the fingertips of the right hand; and straightening up again. The metanoia is an abbreviated form of full prostration.

Prostration (земной поклон, zemnoy poklon)--This requires making the Sign of the Cross, getting down on hands and knees, touching the forehead to the floor, and standing up again upright. The requirement to stand upright again is commonly explained as being because Christ not only descended into hell, but rose up from the dead.

Under "metanoia" Wikepeida notes that the word can mean many things, though most often translated as change of heart, change of mind, or repentance, it can also refer to a rhetorical figure in which the speaker states something, retracts it, and then restates in a new and more apt way.

As we reflect on our own lives, or those of clients, friends, and donors; as we reflect on the meaning and purpose of our gifts (whether or wealth, talent, or love) to what greater than ourselves do we bow our heads, or genuflect? We to the donor? We to the client? Or, do we kneel together in the face of obligations or a mystery that might humble us and bind us all? When we as advisors say that the donor's values must be served, is this idolatry (in the proven style of marketers everywhere), or an indirect way to say that in serving what is highest and best in the donor or client we serve something beyond us both?

If in the presence of a donor or client we create an appropriate space, respectful and expectant, a state of waiting and listening, what may make itself felt is the movement of what some people call the holy spirit, others might call the muse, or some might call passion, or some might call inspiration. But, however you frame the language, in giving is (or can be) something close to the holy, so that we are its instruments. That too is strategic philanthropy. To work in that spirit of communion and commemoration is a calling, no less than a trade, job, or profession.

To get a privileged person to repent and bow before something greater is a Fool's errand, if you are a Cynic. That is, the moment of recognition, when the scales fall from our eyes, may come through laughter, or a practical joke, no less than through reverence. The advisor who elicits metanoia, will, like a good doctor, use whatever medicine will work the cure in a particular case. For some hardened sinners, in bondage to wealth, a good beating is still the best bet. Penance is supposed to follow repentance, but sometimes it works the other way around. Setting a good example helps too.

Comments

[Hagere]

YOU ARE THE ONE IN NEED "METANOIA"
PLEASE BREAK OFF OF THAT SMALL WORLD MENTALITY THAT CONSISTS OF RACISISM, LEAGALISIM, HATERATE.. ETC.ETC.
EXPAND YOUR HOIZONE!!!

[Hagere]

YOU ARE THE ONE IN NEED "METANOIA"
PLEASE BREAK OFF OF THAT SMALL WORLD MENTALITY THAT CONSISTS OF RACISISM, LEAGALISIM, HATERATE.. ETC.ETC.
EXPAND YOUR HOIZONE!!!

[bUM fREE]

Hi Hagere

HATERATE

Qu'est-ce que c'est que ça?

wAZZAT??

[phil]

Can you explain, Hagere? I would not want to be guilty of what you suggest. We certainly don't to offend you.

[pepino]

I thought Jesús was a carpenter. How much can you build in a drive-by?

POP-POP!

[phil]

Community is built one person at a time. The man said something about turning the other cheek too. Understanding across divides is so difficult. And she is right, I could use some metanoia myself.

[pepino]

Ok, amigo, touch bottom, rise, alright...

Most gringos, you cannot get them on their knees for nothing.

Maybe Jesus help us, eh? I think he loves the gringos, too, I think.

Dios mio.

[phil]

Raised Catholic, I know I am guilty, know I am damned, the sin was original and ever-repeated; though confession helps, it cannot keep pace with the sins. Jesus died for my sins, each sin a hammer blow on a nail, and for that I am guilty, guilty, guilty, as the nuns made quite clear.