Tag: Cassian
The Spirit prays through us in the Psalms
1. Before beginning the commentary on the individual Psalms and Songs of Praise, let us complete today the introductory reflection which we began in the last catechesis. We will do so by starting with one aspect that is prized by our spiritual tradition: in singing the Psalms, the Christian feels a sort of harmony between… Read More ›
Sympathize with the young — and do not judge
[A young monk], who was not the laziest of young men, had gone to an old man and had candidly confessed that he was troubled by carnal appetites and the spirit of fornication. He had hoped to receive from the old man’s words consolation for his efforts, and a cure for the wounds inflicted on… Read More ›
Love never fails
“Charity never faileth.” For all gifts are given for a time as use and need require, but when the dispensation is ended they will without doubt presently pass away: but love will never be destroyed. For not only does it work usefully in us in this world; but also in that to come, when the… Read More ›
Contemplation of Divine Things
. . . As long then as this inequality lasts in this world, [works of charity and mercy] will be needful and useful to the man that practises it, as it brings to a good purpose and pious will the reward of an eternal inheritance: but it will come to an end in the life… Read More ›
The way to Perfection
. . .perfection is not arrived at simply by self-denial, and the giving up of all our goods, and the casting away of honours, unless there is that charity, the details of which the Apostle describes, which consists in purity of heart alone. For “not to be envious,” “not to be puffed up, not to… Read More ›
Acedia: Spiritual Weariness
Originally one of Evagrius’ and Cassian’s eight principal logismoi, acedia came to be included among the medieval seven deadly sins. Although generally translated as “sloth”, the terms “apathy” or “spiritual weariness” are closer to the original meaning. Thomas Aquinas (d. 1274) cited John Damascene’s definition of acedia as “weariness in the face of work” (Sum.Theol…. Read More ›
John Cassian on Prayer
John Cassian was born about 360 in Dobrogea , located in the Danube delta in what is modern Romania. Somewhat atypically for an Eastern Christian, his native language was Latin. He entered a Bethlehem monastery in his early twenties but spent many years as a visitor among the desert fathers in Egypt. He next shows… Read More ›
Prayer should be short and pure (RB 20:4)
Wherefore we ought to pray often but briefly, lest if we are long about it our crafty foe may succeed in implanting something in our heart. For that is the true sacrifice, as “the sacrifice of God is a broken spirit.” This is the salutary offering, these are pure drink offerings, that is the “sacrifice… Read More ›
Pray with closed doors
Before all things however we ought most carefully to observe the Evangelic precept, which tells us to enter into our chamber and shut the door and pray to our Father, which may be fulfilled by us as follows: We pray within our chamber, when removing our hearts inwardly from the din of all thoughts and… Read More ›
Have full and sure confidence in God
He bids us then have a full and undoubting confidence of the answer only in those things which are not for our own advantage or for temporal comforts, but are in conformity to the Lord’s will. And we are also taught to put this into our prayers by the Lord’s Prayer, where we say “Thy… Read More ›