Tag: desert
The desert will feed you
If you have fled away to remain in solitude, continue to stay there; wait there for the One who will save you ‘from pusillanimity of spirit and the storm’. However much the storm of battles may assail you, however much you may feel the lack even of sustenance in the desert, do not because of… Read More ›
On thoughts of the mind
Be attentive to the thoughts of the mind. If some evil thought passes through you, do not get upset, for it is not the transient thoughts of your mind that the knowledge of the Lord of all observes, rather He looks at the depths of the mind to see if you take pleasure in that… Read More ›
Follow Him to the desert
If you have fled away to remain in solitude, continue to stay there; wait there for the One who will save you ‘from pusillanimity of spirit and the storm’. However much the storm of battles may assail you, however much you may feel the lack even of sustenance in the desert, do not because of… Read More ›
It was the faith of the local peasants
After abba Copres’ very instructive talk he took us to his little garden and showed us the palms and other fruit trees which he had planted. “It was the faith of the local peasants” he said, “which encouraged me to plant these in the desert. For I saw what great faith they had when they… Read More ›
It is not as easy at it seems
One of the brothers asked if he might be allowed to live with him in the desert. He replied that it was a very serious matter, and very laborious, to withstand the temptations of the demons, but the young man urged it all the more vigorously, protesting that he would be able to put up… Read More ›
The beginings of repentance
Abbot Sisois, sitting in his cell, would ever have his door closed. But it was told of him how in the day of his sleeping, when the Fathers were sitting round him, his face shone like the sun, and he said to them, “Look, the abbot Antony comes.” And after a little while, he said… Read More ›
The Story of Elias
We saw another venerable old man called Elias in a remote part of the territory of Antinoe, a city of the Thebaid. He was said to be a hundred and ten years old, and the spirit of Elijah was said to rest upon him. Many marvellous things were told about him. They said that he… Read More ›
Be Careful not to Judge Someone
One day Abba Isaac went to a monastery. He saw a brother committing a sin and he condemned him. When he returned to the desert, an angel of the Lord came and stood in front of the door of his cell, and said, “I will not let you enter.” But he persisted saying, “What is… Read More ›
Turning Point
Choices are very important, for they give directions to out lives and allow focus to result. Moments of choice are important for without them life can become something meaningless, leading nowhere, just endless cycles of the same. Important as our choices are, they also cause other avenues that could have been chosen to be put… Read More ›
Leave Vengeance to God
One of the brethren, that had been insulted by another, came to Abbot Sisois and told him the scorn that had been put upon him, and said, “I am set to revenge myself, Father.” And the old man began to entreat him to stay and leave vengeance to God. “I am determined and shall not… Read More ›