Tag: desert
The Depth of Our Faith
We came near to a tree, led by our kindly host, and there we stumbled upon a lion. At the sight of him my guide and I quaked, but the saintly old man went unfaltering on and we followed him. The wild beast – you would say it was at the command of God –… Read More ›
Getting Closer to God
An old man persevered in fasting for seventy weeks, eating only once a week. He asked of God about [the meaning of] a certain passage in holy Scripture and God did not reveal it to him. He said to himself, “See how much labor I have undertaken and it has been of no profit to… Read More ›
The Ten Commandments For Would-Be Desert Mystics
Like You and Me: Thou shalt have no other God than God, and shall not make a God of thine own holiness or thy desert search for it. Thou shalt recognize that thou art a sinner and that thou shalt take the heat for it thyself. Thou shalt know that silence is golden. Thou shalt… Read More ›
On Staying Humble
An old man said, “Every time a thought of superiority or vanity (pride) moves you, examine your conscience to see if you have kept all the commandments, if you love your enemies and are grieved at their sins, if you consider yourself as an unprofitable servant and the greatest sinner of all. Even then, do… Read More ›
Abba Macarius and the Hyena
While Abba Macarius was praying in his cave in the desert, a hyena suddenly appeared and began to lick his feet and taking him gently by the hem of his tunic, she drew him towards her own cave. He followed her, saying, “I wonder what this animal wants me to do?” When she had led… Read More ›
The Way of Salvation
While he was still living in the imperial palace, Abba Arsenius prayed to God in these words, “Lord lead me in the way of salvation.” And a voice came to him saying, “Arsenius: flee from men and you will be saved.” Having withdrawn to the solitary life he made the same prayer again and he… Read More ›
Charity Demands That I Keep You
Once some brethren went out of the monastery to visit the hermits who lived in the desert. They came to one who received them with joy and seeing that they were tired, invited them to eat before the accustomed time and placed before them all the food he had available. But that night when they… Read More ›
I go to the Lord
They said of Abba Pambo that in the very hour when he departed this life he said to the holy men who stood by him: From the time I came to this place in the desert, and built me a cell, and dwelt here, I do not remember eating bread that was not earned by… Read More ›
The Great Wound
Over the years many people have come to the Abbey wishing to become Oblates. But if you asked them why you often will not get the same answer. Some come because they are inspired by the faith and discipline of the monks they see at the Abbey. Some would say they wish some association with… Read More ›