Saints' Discussion Forums

Two Fathers asked God to reveal to them how far they had advanced. A voice came which said, 'In a certain village in Egypt there is a man called Eucharistus and his wife who is called Mary. You have not yet reached their degree of virtue.'

The two old men set out and went to the village. Having enquired, they found his house and his wife. They said to her, 'Where is your husband?' She replied, 'He is a shepherd and is feeding the sheep.' Then she made them come into the house. When evening came, Eucharistus returned with the sheep. Seeing the old men, he set the table and brought water to wash their feet. The old men said to him, 'We shall not eat anything until you have told us about your way of life.'

Eucharistus replied with humility, 'I am a Shepherd, and this is my wife.' The old men insisted but he did not want to say more. Then they said, 'God has sent us to you.' At these words, Eucharistus was afraid and said, 'Here are these sheep; we received them from our parents, and if, by God's help we make a little profit, we divide it into three parts: one for the poor, the second for hospitality, and the third for our personal needs. Since I married my wife, we have not had relations with one another, for she is a virgin; we each live alone. At night we wear hair-shirts and our ordinary clothes by day. No-one has known of this till now.'

At these words they were filled with admiration and went away giving glory to God.

That money subject again...!
I've got a sense that there's something very important here. One of those other shortcuts to sanctity.
Money the currency of the world; Grace the currency of heaven. I know which one it's best to have more of but to get one, you have to let go of the other. Dare I mention TV again  :-[ So many think that life would be unbearable without it but discover the opposite to be true when they take the bull by the horns (or in this case the devil by the horns) and chuck him out.
In my humble opinion I think it's one of the major roadblocks on the road to sanctity and I'm beginning to suspect that in to-days world, obsession and worry about money is the other.
This is what Eucharistus and his good wife seem to be saying.
It's even easier to see now with world wide recession in full swing how fickle and untrustworthy a thing money is. Better to trust in the Lord for everything; from the grace we need for our souls to the food and clothing we need for our bodies.

 

Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich in her book The Life of the Blessed Virgin Mary said that Sts. Anne and Joachim divided their profits into three parts also, however in their division it was one-tenth tithe, one-tenth charity and one-tenth for themselves. And they became very rich according to the Blessed. I suppose hospitality could certainly be likened to charity - the Benedictines so practice.

Oh thank you Brigid! I am curious of these practices and have been keeping an eye out for examples like this to learn from! From an angel to your ear!

Martin, those are some great points!! I agree and it makes me think -- when you think about TV, it's one of the major sources for advertising propaganda.. we see more and more things we want to buy in it.. but escaping from this we realize that buying things is not the way to happiness.. and that cuts short the usefulness of money a great deal for direct personal pleasure.. and opens up the path more greatly for using it for charity.. and finding grace!

It has done my spiritual life so much good to get rid of the TV. And so much good to get rid of -things-, all sorts of secular entertainment. In many ways the less I have.. the more grace I find.. !!  ;D Which is why I think anyone who wants to make spiritual progress. . feels stuck in a rut.. feels unable to make progress. . doing these things can break the wall.. and progress can take flight..

I agree with both of you guys about the TV, however it bothers me more from the angle of violence, coarse/bad language and sex. I feel so much calmer when I don't watch it. Listening (or dancing ;D ) to music or reading a good book (and even reading and posting on this website) are much better for realizing His Bounty and getting a sense of perspective. Praising and glorying in Him are a purpose of our existence, right?

You said it Brigid! Glory to God in the highest and peace to His people on earth!

One of my favorite prayers!

Holy, holy, holy Lord. . .!

Count me in too  :angelbell:

Lord God Heavenly King, Almighty God and Father.
We worship You,
We give You thanks,
We praise You for your glory.   :harp: :principalities:

Gloria in excelsis deo! Hosanna in the highest!

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth!  ;D

Can't you just hear the choir! :harp: :principalities: :angelbell: :angelblue:

That I most truly can! Amen amen amen! Dominus Deus Sabaoth!  :D

 :tinyangel: :cherubim: :angelbell: :seraphim: :thrones: