Desert Fathers Tracts
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There are 16 Desert Fathers Tracts.
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1 Saturated with Scripture
2 Gangster to Glory
3 Prayer from the Desert
4 Obedience opens Heaven
5 Unsearchable Judgments
6 Like a Pet Dog
7 Questionnaire
8 Joy in Heaven
9 Gerasimus and the Lion
[Desert Fathers Tract #1]
Saturated with Scripture
BUT he enjoyed the unmeasured delights of an unlimited banquet in the shape of singing the psalms of David, and having constant converse with God. He made use of them constantly, he could never get enough of them, he was always full of them, he was forever crying, 'How sweet are your words to my tongue, more than honey and honeycomb to my mouth' (Psalms 119.103). And again he heard these words of the blessed David, 'The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves, more to be desired than gold and many precious stones, sweeter than honey and the honeycomb' (Psalms 19.10-11). And again, 'Delight in the Lord and he will give you your heart's desire.' And again, 'Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.' And 'Let my heart rejoice that it might fear your name'. And, 'Taste and see how gracious the Lord is.' And, 'My soul thirsts for the living God.' And 'My soul longs after you' And he grafted into himself the love which inspired the writer of all these words.
This is how the great David by his songs taught him that he would build up many companions who would rival him in the love they showed for God. His hope for this was not in vain. For not this man only but countless others were thus pierced by the love of God. He was consumed by such a great fire of love, he was so intoxicated by desire, that he ceased to have any care for anything of this earth. He dreamed only of his beloved by night and sought only the sight of him by day. And many people heard about his exceptional quest for wisdom [philosophia], and came to him from far and near. As his fame spread everywhere abroad, so they ran to him begging to benefit from his training. The came to him as to a master trainer, to be a family of children who would live on after him. Just as singing birds are used in hunting to call others of the same breed in order to catch them in nets, so do human beings chase after other human beings, sometimes for the purpose of destroying them, but sometimes in order to be saved. So very soon there were ten others with him. Palladius, Lausiac History, Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 856
Heirs of the Kingdom
IT does not do to be gloomy about your prospects of salvation," he would say, "for we are heirs of the kingdom of heaven. The heathen may be sad, the Jews may weep, sinners may be fearful, but the righteous can only rejoice. Those who are worried about earthly matters have only got earthly things in which it is possible for them to rejoice. But we who have been found worthy of being given such great hope, how can we fail to rejoice perpetually? Indeed it is the Apostle who urges us to rejoice always and give thanks in all things." (1 Thess. 5.16,18). We cannot adequately describe the gracefulness of his speech, or the rest of his virtues, which we observed for ourselves and which others told us about. They are so miraculous they strike us dumb. Palladius, Lausiac History, Lives of Desert Fathers, p. 784.
Rejoice, O Desert
THROUGH his teaching and way of life, a great number totally renounced the world, so that a community of up to five hundred Christians came into being, living a common life, eating at a common table, all clothed in white. In them was fulfilled the Scripture, 'The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing; they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.' (Isaiah 35:1). That eloquent prophecy has indeed been fulfilled by the existence of the church gathered up out of all the nations, but shown up to perfection in this Egyptian desert, where more children of God can be seen, than in the inhabited places. Where in the cities can you find as many flocks on the road to salvation, as you can find in the deserts of Egypt? There are as many Christians in the desert as there are ordinary people in the cities, and it seems that this also is a fulfillment of what the Apostle said, 'Where sin abounded, there grace abounded more abundantly' (Romans 5.20). For in Egypt there used to be a great deal of idolatrous worship, more than in any other nation. Palladius, Lausiac History, Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 781
Christian Unity: “That they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I am in you.” (Jn. 17:21) “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” (Mt. 18:20)
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From Gangster to Glory
From dead in sin to alive in Christ
From Lion to LambCriminals will not inherit the kingdom of God. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:11
THE muscular, black criminal was a servant of a government official in Egypt, who dismissed him for theft and suspected murder. He became the leader of a gang of bandits who roamed the Nile Valley, spreading terror and violence. He was a large, imposing figure.
On one occasion, a barking dog prevented him from carrying out a robbery, so he swore vengeance on the owner. With a knife in his mouth, he swam the river toward the owner's hut. The owner, again alerted, hid, and the frustrated gangster took some of his sheep to slaughter. The Egyptian cops were preparing to arrest him. He would have been given a death sentence—life was cheap. Attempting to hide from local authorities, he took shelter with some Christians in a colony in the desert of Wadi El Natrun, then called Sketes, near Alexandria. The dedication of their lives, as well as their peace and contentment, influenced him deeply. He soon gave up his old way of life, became a Christian, was baptized and joined the local church at Sketes.
Moses had a rather difficult time adjusting to regular church discipline. His flair for adventure remained with him. Attacked by a group of four robbers in his desert dwelling, Moses fought back, overpowered the intruders, and dragged them to the chapel where the other Christians were at prayer. He told the astonished brethren that he didn't think it Christian to hurt the robbers, and asked what he should do with them. The overwhelmed robbers repented, were converted, and themselves joined the community.
Moses was zealous in all he did, but became discouraged when he concluded he was not perfect enough. Early one morning, Isidore, leader of the church, took Moses to the roof and together they watched the first rays of dawn come over the horizon. Isidore told Moses, "Only slowly do the rays of the sun drive away the night and usher in a new day, and thus, only slowly does one become a perfect Christian."
Moses proved to be effective as a prophetic spiritual leader. Isidore ordered the brethren to fast during a particular week. Some brothers came to Moses, and he prepared a meal for them. Neighbors reported to Isidore that Moses was breaking the fast. When they came to confront Moses, they changed their minds, saying "You did not keep a human commandment, but it was so that you might keep the divine commandment of hospitality."
When a brother committed a fault and Moses was invited to a meeting to discuss an appropriate penance, Moses refused to attend. When he was again called to the meeting, Moses took a leaking jug filled with water and carried it on his shoulder. Another version of the story has him carrying a basket filled with sand. When he arrived at the meeting place, the others asked why he was carrying the jug. He replied, "My sins run out behind me and I do not see them, but today I am coming to judge the errors of another." On hearing this, the assembled brothers forgave the erring brother.
Moses became the spiritual leader of a colony of Christians in the Western Desert. Later, he was appointed presbyter.
At age 75, in the year 405, word came that a group of Berbers planned to attack the church. The brethren wanted to defend themselves, but Moses forbade it. He told them to retreat, rather than take up weapons. He and seven others remained behind and greeted the invaders with open arms. All eight were martyred by the bandits on July 1.
The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain. Isaiah 11:6.
Christian Unity: “That they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I am in you.” (Jn. 17:21)
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[Desert Fathers Tract #3]
A Prayer from the Desert
LORD Jesus Christ, whose will all things obey: pardon what I have done and grant that I, a sinner, may sin no more. Lord, I believe that though I do not deserve it, you can cleanse me from all my sins. Lord, I know that man looks upon the face, but you see the heart. Send your Spirit into my inmost being, to take possession of my soul and body. Without you I cannot be saved; with you to protect me, I long for your salvation. And now I ask you for your salvation. And now I ask you for wisdom, deign of your great goodness to help and defend me. Guide my heart, almighty God, that I may remember your presence day and night. Amen.
Sayings of Desert Fathers and Mothers
Abba Pambo said, "If you have a heart, you can be saved."
Amma Syncletica said, "In the beginning there are a great many battles and a good deal of suffering for those who are advancing towards God and, afterwards, ineffable joy. It is like those who wish to light a fire. At first they are choked with smoke and cry, until they obtain what they seek. As it is written, "Our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:24); so we also must kindle the divine fire in ourselves through tears and hard work."
God is the life of all free beings. He is the salvation of all, of believers or unbelievers, of the just or the unjust, of the pious or the impious, of those freed from passions or those caught up in them, of the educated and the illiterate, of the healthy and the sick, of the young or the old. He is like the outpouring of light, the glimpse of the sun, or the changes of the weather, which are the same for everyone without exception. (Mt. 5:45)
Abba Ammonas was asked, 'What is the "narrow and hard way?" (Mt. 7.14) He replied, 'The "narrow and hard way" is this, to control your thoughts, and to strip yourself of your own will, for the sake of God. This is also the meaning of the sentence, "Lo, we have left everything and followed you." (Mt. 19.27)
Abba Pastor said, "Judge not him who is guilty of fornication, if you are chaste, or you will break the law like him. For He who said "Do not commit fornication" said also "Do not judge."
A brother asked abba Poemen, "If I see my brother sin, is it right to say nothing about it?" The old man replied, "Whenever we cover our brother's sin, God will cover ours; whenever we tell people about our brother's guilt, God will do the same about ours."
A brother questioned Abba Poemen in this way, 'My thoughts trouble me, making me put my sins aside, and concern myself with my brother's faults'. The old man told him the following story about Abba Dioscorus, 'In his cell he wept over himself, while his disciple was sitting in another cell. When the latter came to see the old man he asked him, "Father, why are you weeping?" "I am weeping over my sins," the old man answered him. Then his disciple said, "You do not have any sins, Father." The old man replied, "Truly, my child, if I were allowed to see my sins, three or four men would not be enough to weep for them."
Abba Zeno said, 'If a man wants God to hear his prayer quickly, then before he prays for anything else, even his own soul, when he stands and stretches out his hands towards God, he must pray with all his heart for his enemies. Through this action God will hear everything that he asks.'
Abba Antony said, "Our life and our death are with our neighbor. If we gain our brother, we have gained our God; but if we scandalize our brother, we have sinned against Christ."
We came from Palestine to Egypt and went to see one of the fathers. He offered us hospitality and we said, "Why do you not keep the fast when visitors come to see you? In Palestine they keep it." He replied, "Fasting is always with me, but I cannot always have you here. It is useful and necessary to fast, but we choose whether we will fast or not. What God commands is perfect love. I receive Christ in you, and so I must do everything possible to serve you with love. When I have sent you on your way, then I can continue my rule of fasting. The sons of the bridegroom cannot fast while the bridegroom is with them; when he is taken away from them, then they will fast."
Christian Unity: “That they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I am in you.” (Jn. 17:21)
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[Desert Fathers Tract #4]
Obedience Opens the Heavens
He humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God exalted him. -Philippians 2:8
AN OLD man said that the brother who gave his whole mind to being obedient to his spiritual father was worthy of a greater reward than one who lived alone in the desert. "One of the fathers," he said, "had discerned four orders in heaven, of which the first consisted of people who were not very strong but who constantly gave thanks to God, the second those who were given to hospitality and unremitting service, the third those who maintained their solitude apart from the rest of humanity, the fourth those who for God's sake gave themselves in obedience to their spiritual fathers. Those in this order of obedience wore a golden crown and neckband and excelled the others in glory. So I asked the father who had said these things, 'Why should this last order which is small in numbers, excel the others in glory?' And he replied, 'Those who are given to hospitality follow their own will. Likewise those in the desert have separated themselves off from humanity by an act of their own will. But those who give themselves to obedience have denied their own will and depend solely on God and the directions of their spiritual father. Therefore, they are given the greater glory. For all these reasons, my son, obedience entered into for God's sake is good. Take note therefore, all of you, of all the various aspects of this virtue. Obedience is the salvation of all the faithful. Obedience is the root of all virtues. Obedience brings the kingdom of heaven into sight. Obedience opens the heavens, and lifts human beings up from the earth. Obedience lives with the angels. Obedience is the food of all the saints. On this they were nursed, and by this they arrived at perfection. – LDF 653
Obedience in Scripture
He came to Nazareth and was subject unto them. --Luke 2:51.
He became obedient unto death. -Phil. 2:8
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Rom. 13:1Ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility; for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. – 1 Peter 5:5
Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves. --Hebrews 13:17
Disobedience Leads to Hell
[Jesus to Peter]: If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Jn 13:8
Woe to them, for they have perished in the rebellion of Core. Jude 11
They that resist shall receive damnation. Rom. 13:2Spiritual Fathers
For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. – 1 Cor. 4:15
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you. --Gal. 4:19
Paul... unto Timothy, my own son in the faith. --1 Tim. 1:2
Paul... to Titus, my own son. --Tit. 1:4.
My little children. – 1 John 2:1Christ and Stephen called men fathers
And he [Stephen] said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken: the God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham. – Acts 7:2.
Our fathers had the tabernacle. Acts 7:44.
Which also our fathers that came after. …... whom God drave out before the face of our fathers. – Acts 7:45
Father Abraham. – Luke 16:24.
For God commanded: Honor thy father and mother. Mt. 15:4.
Christian Unity: “That they may all be one, as you Father, are in me and I am in you.” (Jn. 17:21)
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Abbreviation. LDF. Lives of the Desert Fathers
The Desert Fathers were Christians who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt in the third century AD. The most well known was Anthony the Great (died 356). So many Christians moved to the desert that Athanasius wrote: “The desert had become a city.” The Desert Fathers had a major influence on the development of Christianity.[Desert Fathers Tract #5]
Unsearchable Judgments
O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out. Who has known the mind of the Lord? – Romans 11:33
ABBA Antony, failing to understand the judgments of God, asked, "Lord, why is it that some die young, and others live to a ripe old age, and why are some incompetent, while others abound in all manner of skills, and why are some people unjustly rich, while others live in the extremes of poverty?" And a voice came to him saying, "Antony, mind your own business. It is not for you to understand all the judgments of God." LDF 653
Abba Antony said to abba Pastor, "It is an enormous human task to arrive at acknowledging your guilt before God, and to accept that you will be tempted up to the last moment of life."
Again abba Antony said, "I saw all the snares of the ungodly set in place throughout the world, and I groaned and said, 'Who shall be able to pass through these?' And I heard a voice saying, 'Humility.'
Some old men once came to abba Antony, among them abba Joseph. Wishing to test them abba Antony quoted some texts of Holy Scripture and began to ask the younger among them what they meant. And each one had something to say. But he replied to them all, "You're not quite there yet." Then he turned to abba Joseph and said, "What about you? How do you interpret this text?"And abba Joseph said, "I don't really know." And abba Antony replied, "Truly, abba Joseph is on the right path, because he knows that he does not know."
Humility
Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. God gives his grace to the humble. Scripture
ABBA Daniel told a story about a distinguished citizen of Babylon whose daughter was possessed of a devil. A friend of his who was a monk told him that no one could cure his daughter except some solitaries that he knew, but that if asked they would refuse out of humility. "But what we could do," he said, "is to say you wanted to buy some of their goods when next they bring them here to sell. When they come into the house to get the money, then ask them to pray, and I am sure your daughter will be healed." Going out into the market place, they found a disciple of one of the old men sitting in front of the baskets he was selling, and they asked him back to the house, as if to receive the money for some baskets. As soon as they went inside, the devil-possessed daughter gave the monk a box on the ear. His response was to offer her the other cheek, according to the divine command, and the devil, conquered, began to shout, "Oh! Murder! the commands of Jesus Christ have driven me out!" And the daughter was healed in that self-same hour. When the disciple got back he told his abba everything that had happened, and they glorified God, saying, "The pride of the devil can always be conquered by the humility of the commands of Jesus Christ.”
Abba Evagrius said, "The beginning of salvation is to distrust your own arguments."
Abba John the Dwarf said, "The gateway to God is humility. Our fathers lived through many humiliations, and have entered with joy into the city of God. Humility and the fear of God are greater than all the other virtues."
Abba John of Thebes said, "Above all the monk should be humble, for the first of the Saviour's charges is, 'Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matt. 5.3)
Once when some brothers in Scete were meeting together without having thought to ask abba Copres, they began to argue about the priesthood of Melchisedec. Eventually they did invite abba Copres to give his opinion on this question, and he tapped his mouth with his finger three times and said, "Woe to you, Copres, for you have often left undone what God requires of you, and now you presume to scrutinise what God does not require of you." At this the brothers fled each one to his cell.
Abba Matthois said, "When people come close to God, all they can see is their own sin. When Isaiah the prophet saw God, all he could say was, 'Woe is me, for I am a person of unclean lips.'" (Isaiah 6.5)
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Abbreviation. LDF. Lives of the Desert Fathers
The Desert Fathers were Christians who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt in the third century AD. The most well known was Anthony the Great (died 356). So many Christians moved to the desert that Athanasius wrote: “The desert had become a city.” The Desert Fathers had a major influence on the development of Christianity.[Desert Fathers Tract #6]
Like A Pet Dog
Everyone who humbles himself will be exalted. God gives grace to the humble. – Scripture
AN OLD man said, "If you speak to anyone on the subject of eternal life, let your words be with compunction and tears for the one who is listening. Otherwise don't say anything, lest you be found wanting, by hurrying to try and save someone with unwelcome words. For God says to the sinner, 'Who are you to talk about my judgments, or to bear witness to me with your mouth?' (Psalm 50.16). Rather say, "I am a dog, and less than a dog, in so far as a dog loves his master, and does not sit in judgment upon him."
A brother asked an old man how a pilgrim should behave, and the old man said, "I know a pilgrim brother who went into a church where it so happened that they were having an agape, and he sat down at a table to eat with the brothers. Some of those present said, 'Who invited you in? Get up and get out.' So he got up and went. Others were angry because he was sent out, and they went out after him and called him back. Later on he was asked how he had felt when first of all he was driven out and then called back in again, and he replied, 'I simply thought of myself as a pet dog, who goes out when it is told, and comes back when it is told.'" LDF 663
An old man said, "In every trial don't blame your brother but only yourself, saying, 'It is because of my own sins that this trial has come upon us.'" LDF 663
An old man said, "Do not set yourself up against your brother, claiming that you are more abstinent or reliable or intelligent than he. Be subject to the grace of God in the spirit of poverty and unfeigned charity, lest puffed up by the spirit of pride you lose all the fruit of your previous labours. Stay in Christ, preserved in spiritual salt." LDF 663
An old man said, "Anyone who is praised or honoured above what he is worth runs a greater risk of being brought low, but he who has no reputation at all among men will in the end be lifted up."
A brother asked an old man, "Is it a good thing to be eager to do penance?" And the old man said, "We have been told that it was when Joshua the son of Nun was prostrate on his face, that God appeared to him."
I would rather be conquered in a spirit of humility, than to prevail in a spirit of pride.
An old man said, "Don't look down on your companion, for you don't really know who it is who has the Spirit, he or you. By 'companion' I mean your 'servant'."
A brother asked an old man whether it would be right to say anything if he found that the behaviour of some of the brothers among whom he lived was unacceptable. And the old man said, "If they are older than you, or of the same age,you will find that silence will bring you greater peace, in that by making yourself smaller than they, you will be on firmer ground." "But I am very upset inside, father," said the brother. "So what should I do?" "If you feel you must do something about it," said the old man, "offer a humble rebuke once. But if they won't listen, hand the matter over into the hand of God; he will bring you consolation. In doing this, God's workman is brought closer to God through the denial of his own will. But take care that your concern is really in accordance with the will of God. And in any case as far as I can see, it is always good to keep silence. Silence brings you humility."
An old man said, "I would rather be taught than teach. Don't teach before you are ready, otherwise the whole tenor of your life will be diminished intellectually."
One old man when asked about humility said that this great and godlike work consisted in undertaking bodily labour, remembering that you are a sinner, and considering yourself to be the least of people, in that you pay no attention to the sins of others, but be aware of your own, and pray to God without ceasing."
When abba Macarius was in Egypt, there was a man who came with a packhorse to steal his goods, and Macarius, acting as if he were some passer-by, helped the thief to load the beast up, and let him go with a completely undisturbed mind, saying, "We brought nothing into this world. The Lord gives. As he wills so is it done. Blessed in all things be the name of the Lord."
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Abbreviation. LDF. Lives of the Desert Fathers
The Desert Fathers were Christians who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt in the third century AD. The most well known was Anthony the Great (died 356). So many Christians moved to the desert that Athanasius wrote: “The desert had become a city.” The Desert Fathers had a major influence on the development of Christianity.[Tract #7: Questionnaire]
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Everyone Will Know the Lord
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. – Isaiah 11:9; 65:25
“There are as many Christians in the desert as there are ordinary people in the cities, and it seems that this also is a fulfillment of what the Apostle said in Romans 5:20.” -- Palladius, Lausiac History
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[Desert Fathers Tract #8]
JOY IN HEAVEN
I say unto you, that joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. – Luke 15:7Selections from: Lives of the Desert Fathers
The Converted Sinner
THERE was a brother in Egypt noted for his great humility, who had a sister working as a prostitute in the city, leading many souls to perdition. The old men frequently urged the brother to go to her and perhaps persuade her by his admonitions that it was possible for her to give up the sins she was committing. When he came near to her place someone who knew him ran on before him and announced his arrival.
"Look, your brother is coming to see you from the desert," he called. When she heard this, she joyfully left her clients and ran out to meet him with her head uncovered. And when she saw him, she ran to embrace him. "Dearest sister," he said to her, "Spare a thought for your soul, and for the many you are leading to perdition. Think of the torments prepared for you, unless you hasten to repent."
"Do you think, brother," she asked, trembling, "that there is still hope of salvation for me?" "If you really want it," he said, "salvation is still there for you." She threw herself at his feet and begged him to take her with him into the desert. "Put something on your head, then," he said, "and come with me." "No, let's go at once," she said. "I would rather appear among people improperly dressed, than have to go back into that house of shame." As they walked along he gave her some instruction on how to do penance, until they saw some brothers coming towards them.
"Not everyone knows that you are my sister," he said, "so move away from the road for a while until they have gone past."
After they had gone he called out to her. "Come sister, let's be on our way." There was no reply. He went off in search of her and found her dead. Her footprints were all full of blood, for she had not been wearing shoes. Weeping and crying, he went back to the seniors and told them everything that had happened, and they began to wonder about her salvation. And God revealed to one of the old men, that because she had taken no thought for her bodily needs, if only her own wounds might be healed, because she abandoned everything she possessed, mourned deeply and repented of her sins, therefore God accepted her repentance. [Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 528]
Commentary by St. Therese of Lisieux
I KNOW that He loves the Prodigal Son, I have heard His words to St. Mary Magdalen, to the woman taken in adultery, and to the woman of Samaria. No one could frighten me, for I know what to believe concerning His Mercy and His Love. And I know that all that multitude of sins would disappear in an instant, even as a drop of water cast into a flaming furnace.
It is told in the Lives of the Fathers of the Desert how one of them converted a public sinner, whose evil deeds were the scandal of the whole country. This wicked woman, touched by grace, followed the Saint into the desert, there to perform rigorous penance. But on the first night of the journey, before even reaching the place of her retirement, the bonds that bound her to earth were broken by the vehemence of her loving sorrow. The holy man, at the same instant, saw her soul borne by Angels to the Bosom of God. This is a striking example of what I want to say, but these things cannot be expressed.
[Story of a Soul, Chapter 11, page 96.]
A Virgin Who Lapsed and Did Penance
THERE was a certain virgin who had lived the disciplined life with two others for ten years, when she was led astray by one of the cantors and began a shameful affair with him. She conceived and gave birth to a child, with deepest compunction in her soul and the most intense hatred for the man who had deceived her. She imposed a severe penance on herself, being willing to die from hunger, should she persevere in it.
"O almighty God," she prayed in tears, "you who bear all our sins and the infinite wickedness of the whole world, who do not will the death of sinners or those who fall into ruin (Ezekiel 33:11), but have mercy on every creature, it is your will that all should be saved (1 Tim 2:4). If it is your will that I who am perishing should be saved, pour out on me your loving kindness and show me your wonderful works. Command that this fruit of my iniquity be taken away and gathered up. It was conceived in lust and born in sin. This all makes me want either to hang myself, or throw myself over a cliff."
Her prayer was heard and answered, for the child she bore died not long afterwards. Ever since that time she had nothing to do with the man who enslaved her, but with great determination gave herself totally to maintaining her chastity. For the next thirty years, she dedicated herself to caring for the sick, the lame and the wounded, making such acceptable reparation to God, that it was revealed to a certain presbyter that she was more pleasing to God in her penitence, than ever she had been in her virginity.
I write this, so that we do not condemn those who have grievously sinned and sincerely do penance from the heart. This blessed woman was one who forced herself to pour out her heart to the Lord in humility of life, and she is not least among those constrained by penitence. [Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 835]
The life of a Girl of Alexandria, who was lifted out of the sacred font by holy Angels
IN the time of the patriarch Paul, there was a girl of very rich parents who was left an orphan, who had not been baptized. One day she was walking in the orchard which her parents had left her (for there are orchards even in the midst of the city), when she saw a man preparing a noose to strangle himself with. She ran over to him.
"What are you doing, man!" she said. "Leave me alone, woman, for I am in deep trouble." "Tell me why, and perhaps I may be able to help you." "I am heavily burdened by debt, and my creditors are almost suffocating me, so I choose rather to put an end to my life, than go on living like this." "I beg you, take what I have, and settle your debts. Only do not destroy yourself." And truly she gave him her all. But then she found herself in difficulties, not having enough left to live on. Deprived of parental care, she took to prostitution to earn a living. People who knew her and what her parents had been like wondered among themselves. "Who can understand all this except God alone? Perhaps God allowed her soul to fall into sin for some reason known to him alone, and for the time being he has abandoned her."
Not long after this the girl became ill, and coming to herself she was conscience-stricken and approached her neighbors. "For the Lord's sake, have pity on my soul and beg the Pope [bishop] to make me a Christian." But they all turned her away. "Who is going to take her on, harlot that she is!" And they persecuted her mercilessly.
In these narrow straits she found herself in the presence of an Angel in the shape of a man, who took compassion on her. "I want to become a Christian," she said, "but there is no one willing to speak for me." "Is that what you really want?" he asked. "Yes, indeed, sir, and please, will you ask for this to be given me?"
"Don't be sad any longer," he said. "I will bring you some people who will speak for you." And he brought two other holy Angels to her who led her into the church, transformed into very aristocratic personages, well known members of the Augustal class. They called the clerics, a presbyter and a deacon, who were in charge.
"Will your charity make the promises for her?" the clerics asked. "Yes indeed, we will promise for her." So they took her to Baptism, and lifted her up, clothed in the white garments of the newly baptized. They put her down, and vanished.
When she went home, the neighbors saw that she was clothed in white. "Who has baptized you then?" they asked. She told them the whole story. "There were some people who came and took me into the church, spoke for me to the clerics and had me baptized."
"Who were they?" "I can't really tell you who they were!" The neighbors went to report it to the bishop, and the bishop spoke to the clerics in charge of baptisms. "It was you who baptized this woman?" "Yes, we baptized her, at the request of two Augustal people." The bishop summoned the two people whom the clerics had named. "Was it you who vouched for this woman's faith?" "We don't know anything about it; we didn't even know that it had been done." Then the bishop realized the truth. "This is the work of God," he said.
He got the girl to come and see him. "Tell me, my daughter," he said, "about any good deeds you have done." "I am only a very poor little prostitute. What good could I have possibly done?" "You have never ever done anything good at all?"
"No - except that I once saw a man trying to strangle himself because of being pressurized by creditors, and I liberated him by giving him all my money." And as she said this, she fell asleep in the Lord, freed from all her sins, both voluntary and involuntary. And the bishop glorified the Lord. "Thou art just, O Lord, and thy judgments are right." (Psalms 119:137) [Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 1076]
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[Desert Fathers Tract #9]
Gerasimus and the Lion
ABOUT a mile away from the Jordan river there is a monastery known as abba Gerasimus' monastery. When we visited it the old men living there told us about abba Gerasimus. One day as he was walking by the banks of the Jordan he met a lion in the way, roaring loudly. He was holding in the air one swollen paw covered in bloody matter, caused by a sharp sliver of reed embedded in it. When the lion saw the old man, he stood still and held out the wounded paw with the reed in it, as if weeping and asking to be cured. When the old man realised the plight the lion was in, he took the lion's paw, probed the wound and drew out the reed along with a quantity of pus, carefully cleaned the wound and bandaged it, and sent the lion on his way. But when the lion realised he had been cured, he refused to desert the old man, but followed him everywhere like a disciple following a master. The old man was amazed at the gratitude which a wild beast was capable of, and looked after it from then on, feeding it on bread and soaked vegetables.
Now this monastery had a donkey, which they used for carrying water from the Jordan to supply the brothers' needs. And it became the old man's custom to let the lion guard the donkey while it was grazing. The lion would go with the donkey down to the banks of the Jordan and watch it while it grazed. One day, however, the lion wandered off for quite a distance, just when a camel driver from Arabia came along, saw the donkey, caught it and took it away with him. Finding the donkey missing, the lion returned to the monastery and hung his head, obviously grief-stricken, before abba Gerasimus, who thought that the lion must have eaten the donkey.
"Where is the donkey?" he said. But the lion, just as human beings might do, looked away and said nothing.
"Well, the Lord be blessed if you haven't eaten it!" said the abba. "So everything that the donkey used to do, you will have to do from now on."
So the lion henceforth had to carry a harness containing four amphorae, in which he carried water for the monastery.
One day a soldier came to the old man to ask his blessing. When he saw the lion carrying water and learned the reason for it, he took pity on the lion, and offered the old man three numismas to buy another donkey for this task, so that there would be no need for the lion to do it. Soon after this transaction was completed and the lion relieved of his burden, the camel driver who had stolen the donkey came back, carrying wheat for sale in the holy city, and he still had the donkey with him. As he was crossing the Jordan he met the lion, and as soon as he saw it, he let the camels go and fled. But the lion recognised the donkey, ran up to it, and took the donkey's halter in his mouth just as he used to do. He joyfully led the donkey and three camels back to the old man, roaring loudly, because he had found the donkey which was lost. So the old man who had thought that the lion had swallowed the donkey, now learned that the lion had suffered a great injustice. He called the lion "Jordan", and he never left the old man but continued to live in the monastery with the brothers for more than five years.
In the providence of God the lion was not in the monastery when the old man passed to the Lord and was buried. But a little while after the lion came into the monastery and abba Sabbatius, Gerasimus' disciple, noticed the lion looking for the old man. "Jordan," said Sabbatius, "our father has left us both orphans and passed to the Lord. Try and get used to it, and come and take some food." But the lion would not eat, and kept on looking about this way and that way, searching for the old man, roaring loudly, unable to bear the old man's absence.
Abba Sabbatius and the other old men stroked his neck, and told him over and over again that the old man had passed to the Lord and had left us, but whatever they said, they were unable to lessen his grief or his roaring. The more they tried to cherish and console him by their words, the greater his grief, the louder he roared and lamented, showing in his voice, his face and his eyes his distress at not seeing the old man.
"Come with me, seeing that you don't believe us," said abba Sabbatius to him at last, "and I will show you where our old man has been laid." So he led the lion to where the old man was buried, about five paces outside the church.
"This is where our old man is buried," said abba Sabbatius to the lion, as he stood above abba Gerasimus' grave. And Abba Sabbatius prostrated himself over the old man's grave. The lion understood what was said to him, and when he saw abba Sabbatius prostrate on the grave, weeping, he too lay down, striking his head forcefully on the ground and roaring. And suddenly, there he died, on the old man's grave.
Now all this happened, not that a lion should be thought to have a rational soul, but because God wishes those who glorify him to do so, not only in this life but also after death, and to show us what kind of dependence the beasts had upon the first man, before he was disobedient to the command, and was expelled from the paradise of delights. [Ch. 107, Spiritual Meadow, by John Moschus, Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 1006]
Abba Paul and the Lioness
The holy fathers used to say of John, the disciple of Abba Paul, that he possessed the virtues of great humility and obedience to such an extent that he would make no objection whatsoever, no matter how difficult the tasks the abba set him, nor did he ever grumble. When a certain tool was needed for the monastery workshop, the abbot told him to go to the nearest village to buy it and bring it back as quickly as possible. Now although there was a fierce lioness in that place, the disciple John got up to go immediately, as the abba asked. As he went out he said to the abba, "Father, I have heard that many people say there is a fierce lioness in that place."
The abbot half jokingly said to him, "Well if it comes upon you, catch it, tie it up, and bring it back here!" When he got to the place that evening the lioness rushed out at him and he tried to catch it, but the lioness slipped out of his grasp and ran off. John ran after her, crying, "But my abba commanded me to tie you up and bring you back with me." The animal immediately stood still, and he secured it and led it back in the direction of the monastery. By this time it was getting late and the abba was getting worried about him, when suddenly John appeared leading the lioness after him. Seeing this the abba was astonished and gave thanks to our Lord and Saviour. "See, father," John said, "I have brought back the lioness as you said." The abba decided to humiliate him, lest the disciple should think he had done something marvellous, and said, "Since you are so stupid, go and take this stupid beast back. Let it go, say goodbye to it, and let it go to its own place." Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 476
The Lion in the Cave
An aged solitary near the River Jordan, went into a cave to shelter from the heat and found a lion inside, who began to roar and show his teeth. But the old man said to him, "Why are you trying to crowd me out? There is plenty of room enough for both you and me. But if you don't want that, well, go then." The lion was unable to endure this treatment and went. – Lives of the Desert Fathers, p. 694
The Disciple and the Well
One of the senior holy men sent his disciple to draw water from the well, which was quite a long distance from his cell. The disciple forgot to take a rope with him, and he was very annoyed about it when he arrived at the well, for it was a long way back to the cell. He did not know what to do, or which way to turn; it would not do to return to the cell without any water. Greatly agitated, he fell on his face in tears. "'Lord have mercy upon me according to thy great goodness” (Psalms 51,1) he prayed. "You have made heaven and earth and everything in them, you alone do great wonders. Have mercy on me, for the sake of your servant who sent me here. " And when he got up from his prayer he addressed the well directly. "O Well, O Well," he cried, "It is the servant of Christ, my abba, who has sent me to draw water!" And immediately the water level rose up to the mouth of the well, so that he could fill his jar with water. And as he departed, glorifying the power of our Lord and Saviour, the water in the well sank down again to its own place.
Desert Fathers. The Desert Fathers were Christians who lived mainly in the Scetes desert of Egypt beginning around the third century AD. The most well known was Anthony the Great, who moved to the desert in 270–271 and became known as both the father and founder of desert christianity. By the time Anthony died in 356, many Christians had been drawn to living in the desert following Anthony's example — his biographer, Athanasius of Alexandria, wrote that "the desert had become a city." The Desert Fathers had a major influence on the development of Christianity.
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