" Listen to what the Lord says: "Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls" (Matthew 11:29). He shows here the root and cause of all ills and their cure, the cause of all good, namely, that self-exaltation has brought us down and that pardon cannot be obtained except through its opposite, humility."
-Abba Dorotheos
They lived wrapped in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented, wandering in deserts and mountains, and in the caves and dens of the earth. It was a great wonder to behold how rough people that lived in the gorges and ravines—there, where the wild beasts, the serpents, the scorpions, and every wild creature feed—not only did not grow fierce, but instead were the gentlest, holiest, and most innocent of all people. They did not concern themselves with food, shelter or clothing, or with the sufferings of the flesh, or with mother or father or siblings or friends, or with honors or with contempt. Many settled in tombs. They wore goat hair cassocks. Instead of a pillow, they would lay their head on a stone. The mountains encompassed them like fortresses. Wherever they happened to be when overtaken by the dark, there they would spend the night.
The hand of God shielded these valiant souls, and nothing could touch them. Wicked people would scoff at them and regarded their resolve as madness and their condition as pitiable. But they were at peace. For though they may have been scorned in the eyes of men, yet their hope was full of immortality. And as many torments as they underwent, these were nothing compared to all that they gained. For God proved them, and found them worthy for Himself. When that day comes, they shall shine; and like the fire that flares up among the stubble, so shall they spring up. These humble ones shall judge the world, and the Lord will be glorified with them unto the ages. For only as many as have faith in Him shall understand the truth, and they await His arrival with love.
-Fotis Kontoglou
No comments:
Post a Comment