Quotes from the Desert

[martin]

I'm of the belief that grace before and after meals will keep one healthy in mind and body though that isn't the reason why we should say grace but rather simply to give thanks to God for the food that sustains us.

One of the priests on Audio Sancto did a sermon on saying grace. He mentioned that in these times it's of the utmost importance to call a blessing down on everything we put into our mouthes, even a glass of water.

[odhiambo]

Below is no doubt a repeat quote but I find them beneficial to me spiritually and so I like to go over them every now and again.

"When the holy Abba Anthony lived in the desert he
was beset by accidie, and attacked by many sinful thoughts.
He said to God, 'Lord, I want to be saved but these thoughts
do not leave me alone; what shall I do in my affliction? How
can I be saved?' A short while afterwards, when he got up to
go out, Anthony saw a man like himself sitting at his work,
getting up from his work to pray, then sitting down and
plaiting a rope, then getting up again to pray. It was an
angel of the Lord sent to correct and reassure him. He heard
the angel saying to him, 'Do this and you will be saved.' At
these words, Anthony was filled with joy and courage. He
did this, and he was saved.

[Shin]

There's nothing like a so greatly consoling word from the desert.

[Shin]

Abba Poimen said that someone once asked Abba Paisos: "What should I do, since my soul is insensitive and does not fear God?" Abba Paisos answered him: "Go and cleave unto a man who fears God, by your association with him, you will also learn from him to fear God."

The Blessed Synkletike said: "IF you have resolved to fast, do not plead illness as an excuse or give up fasting on account of it; for even those who do not fast often fall into the same or more grievous diseases. If you have begun something good, do not desist from it just because the Enemy towards you through illness; let him, rather, be foiled through your patient endurance."

People about to go on a voyage first unfurl the ship's sails to catch a favorable wind; later on the may encounter a contrary wind, yet the sailors do not immediately throw the ship's cargo overboard because of a small gale. They rest for a short while or contend against the turbulance of the waves; after this has passed, they resume their voyage unharmed.

In the same way, when an adverse spirit assails us, let us, for our part, stretch out on the Cross as our sail and accomplish our ascetic voyage without fear.

A brother saw Abba Nisthero wearing two tunics and said to him: "If a poor man came and asked for clothing, which of the two tunics would you give him?"

The Elder answered: "The better of the two."

The brother then said: "If another poor man asked you for something, what would you do?"

"I would give him the other one and then immediately go and sit somewhere, until God should send me something with which to cover myself; for I seek nothing from anyone else."

[Shin]

Aside from the other virtues which she possessed, St. Synkletike did not lack that remedy which is salvific for the body; that is, she so loved fasting, that she did not reckon any of the other ascetic practices to be its equal. She believed that it was the safeguard and foundation of the other virtues; and if ever, out of necessity, she ate something more than she was accustomed to eating, she suffered the opposite of what happens to those who eat; that is to say, her face turned yellow and she became debilitated. Just as therefore, men prune unfaithful branches from trees with many branches, so she would remove the thorny outgrowths of her mind (inappropriate thoughts) with prayer and fasting; and if any thorny growth flourished for just a short while, she would impose different punishments on herself and would test her body with a variety of labors.

- from the Life of St. Synkletike

Abba Ammoes and Abba Bitimios once visited Abba Achillas. It was very early, and they found him working, plaiting rope. They asked him to direct a few beneficial words to them, and he replied:

"Since yesterday evening up to this time, I have been plaiting rope at full pace, though, in fact, I do not need to do so much work. However, I am working thus, lest God find it necessary to chastise me, saying, "Why, despite the fact that you are able, do you not work?" Therefore, I labor with all my strength."

The Fathers were benefitted by these words and departed.

- the sayings of the Desert Fathers