Welcome fellow seekers and pilgrims...

Like the pilgrams that sought out the early desert Abbas and Ammas for a "word" my hope and prayer is that a word can be found by you at this site as you journey on your path seeking God . It will not be one from my lips as all I have been capable of saying is that I honestly don't believe that I have any words of wisdom to pass on and maybe there are way too many "words" being expressed out there already. But I am being once again nagged terribly by that inner voice within my heart of hearts and so I must write. May the spoken words of my mouth, the thoughts of my heart, win favor in your sight, O Lord, my rescuer, my rock! (Psalm 19:15)
















Tuesday, June 8, 2010

The Way of Simplicity

When we realize that the world is spinning too fast and what we have hasn't really satisfied that hollowness within and no matter of how much we try to fill it the emptiness remains, it's time to simplify. In this case less is greater than more and that includes the little things.
Let me share some wise words that were given to John Cassian centuries ago by the desert father Abba Moses. They are as valid today as then.
"We see many who have given up very great wealth not only in terms of money but in land as well - and still they get very upset over a knife, a scraper, a needle, a pan. If they had kept their gaze unwaveringly on the goal of purity of heart they would never have got wrapped up in such trifling things and indeed would reject them in the same way that they have rejected lands and wealth. There are some people who guard a book so jealously that they can hardly bear to have anyone else touch it. Far from leading them to the prize of love and gentleness, this sort of thing becomes for them an occasion for impatience, even sometimes to the point of death. Out of love for Christ they have given away all their great possessions, and yet they cling to their old passion for things that have no importance, and even give way to anger because of such things ... One does not become perfect just by stripping naked, by being poor and despising honours, unless ... love  ... is there, a love which is found only in the pure of heart."
The foundation of all our actions or attempts at action is love, a sharing of the love God has for each of us with one another.  This love becomes both unifying and simplifying  filling the emptiness within us in a never ending stream that is poured out upon all we meet.

1 comment:

  1. Maybe the only true way to live in simplicity is to give up being the possessor.

    Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. --1 Corinthians 4:2

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