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| Sayings of the Desert Fathers |
| Quotes from Favorite Writers |
| Theophilus of holy memory, Bishop of Alexandria, journeyed to Skete, and the brethren coming together said to Abba Pambo: Say a word or two to the Bishop, that his soul may be edified in this place. The elder replied: If he is not edified by my silence, there is no hope that he will be edified by my words. ------------------------------------ Sarapion the Sindonite traveled once on a pilgrimage to Rome. Here he was told of a celebrated recluse, a woman who lived always in one small room, never going out. Sceptical about her way of life, for he was himself a great wanderer, Sarapion called on her and asked, "Why are you sitting here?" To which she replied, "I am not sitting: I am on a journey." -------------------------------------- One of the Fathers said: Just as it is impossible for a man to see his face in troubled water, so too the soul, unless it be cleansed of alien thoughts, cannot pray to God in contemplation. -------------------------------------- A brother asked an old man, "What thing is there so good that I may do it and live?" And the old man said, "God alone knows what is good...the Scriptures say that Abraham was hospitable and God was with him; and David was humble and God was with him. Therefore, what you find your soul desires in following God, do it and keep your heart set on Him." ------------------------------------ Abba Poemen related that Abba John said that the saints are like a group of trees, each bearing different fruit, but watered from the same source. The practices of one saint differ from those of another, but it is the same Spirit that works in all of them. ------------------------------------ |
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| "The Saints in heaven turn away their will from everything except what God would have them know...and this should be our will, too." Julian of Norwich ---------------------------------------- "Be not anxious about the future, it is opposed to grace. When God sends you consolation, regard Him only in it, enjoy it day by day as the Israelites received their manna, and do not endeavor to lay it up in store.There are two peculiarities of pure faith; it sees God alone under all the imperfect envelopes which conceal Him, and it holds the soul incessantly in suspense. We are kept constantly in the air, without being suffered to touch a foot to solid ground....This momentary dependence, this darkness and this peace of the soul, under the utter uncertainty of the future, is a true martyrdom, which takes place silently and without any stir." Fenelon ------------------------------------ "If you purify your soul of attachment to and desire for things, you will understand them spiritually".--- "He will not reach perfection who does not strive to be content with nothing, in such fashion that his natural and spiritual desire is satisfied with emptiness, for this is necessary in order to reach the highest tranquility and peace of spirit."--- "Enter within yourself, and work in the presence of your Spouse, Who is ever present loving you."---Be hostile to admitting into your soul things that of themselves have no spiritual substance, lest they make you lose your liking for devotion and recollection."---"The Father spoke one Word, which was His Son and this Word He always speaks in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul."-- St. John of the Cross, The Minor Works |
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