Let this be for you the form of life, brothers, this is the true discipline of a holy way of life: to live with Christ by having your thought and desire [fixed] on the eternal homeland, and in this troublesome journey to refuse no task of charity for Christ. Follow the Lord Christ upwards towards the Father and by making time for meditation reduce, simplify, and unify [your life]. Follow Christ downwards to your brother, letting yourself be stretched by action, divided into many parts, and becoming all things to all people. Never consider anything associated with Christ to be of little value and hold nothing dear except for Christ’s sake. Where Christ is one, thirst after one thing, make time for one thing. Where Christ is manifold, be willing to be of service to all.
Issac of Stella
12, 6; SChr 130, p. 254
