![]() ![]() ![]() There is nothing to get proud about, or envious, or judgmental – we are simply doing our duty, doing what we were told to do. Obedience says, it doesn’t matter what others are doing or not doing, I have a rule which I am to keep and that is what I need to be mindful of. Or, on the other hand, envy and jeealousy, showmanship and hypocrisy.Īmma Syncletica thinks that obedience to an elder or a rule is even better because then there is no self pride, self vaunting, seeking attention or hyper-vigilance in watching what others are doing or keeping track of how much more I am doing than others. Pride can set in, judgmentalism, gossip, bickering and backbiting. Or, even as we compare how much better we are doing this year than last or this week than last week. 234)Īsceticism can become a source of pride as we compare ourselves to how others are keeping or not keeping the food fast. The one teaches pride, the other humility.’ ( The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, p. She also said, ‘As long as we are in the monastery, obedience is preferable to asceticism. Among the sayings that come to us from desert monastics are the words of Amma Syncletica. The purpose of Lent is to control the passions and sin, not just to strictly change our diets. (1 Corinthians 13:2-3)Īs we move through the second week of our Lenten sojourn, we are reminded that if we are not acting in love or if we are not growing in love than our Lenten discipline, no matter what heights of ascetical self-denial we attain, are in vain. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. For when I have this, the old masters say, I have humility.And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. That’s really all I want, an accurate portrait. It just means I’m working to embrace an accurate portrait - as one designed in God’s image and developing in his likeness. None of this means I embrace a loathsome portrait of myself. I’m laying down the intolerable burden of imagining I’m the “healthy” one - I’m always “right” - I see “clearly.” I’m praying repeatedly, “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me (Lk 18: 9-14).” I’m training myself to imitate the publican. She helps me train to become more like Christ: Like almost all the desert wisdom I read, Amma Syncletica’s advice is timeless. I’m definitely not gushing, but, perhaps I’m trickling. And I’ve even noticed a tiny increase in my own compassion for others, which I think is what Amma Syncletica meant when she said, your stoney heart will transform into a gushing spring. ![]() The more I practice desert meekness, the more I recognize the gift of other’s ideas, thoughts, and opinions. But my goal is to do all of that in a less self-determined way. I have to be a genuine contributor in my relationships. I can make suggestions with non-coercive tones (at least I try)īut I have had to watch out for one trap: meekness is not an excuse for me to checkout of human relationships - to not care, to not have a point of view. ![]() But it was more than that, meekness was practiced impromptu, in spontaneous moments where fellow monks were given preference, or monastery guests were given priority.įor me, choosing meekness means I’m working to drop my heroic image, which has been a great relief: In other words, it’s not about forfeiting your power, it’s about channeling or harnessing your power for the good of others.įor desert dwellers, that meant submitting their will to the will of an abba or amma. It’s actually a disguised and abundant kind of strength. On the contrary, meekness is not a deficiency in strength. It’s not about embracing weakness or frailty, as is commonly thought. I know the word meekness can be mysterious. “The morning light precedes the sun, and the precursor of all humility is meekness.” 3 She’s pointing to the spiritual practice of choosing meekness, which John Climacus said was the key to cultivating humility: No, she has something else in mind, something we select. The kind of meekness she is referring to is not the character trait that organically grows out of our lives. Which is why Amma Syncletica says, “choose meekness,” because choosing meekness leads to humility. I wish I could simply choose it, but I can’t. Choose the meekness of Moses and you will find your heart which is a rock changed into a spring of water." 2Ī life saturated with humility is not easy to come by. Amma Syncletica 1 said, "Imitate the publican, and you will not be condemned with the Pharisee. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |