A Word from the Desert
“Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him: ‘Abba, as much as I am able I practice a small rule, a little fasting, some prayer and meditation, and rentain quiet and as much as possible I keep my thoughts clean. What else should I do?’. Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven, and his fingers became like ten torches of flame and he said to him: ‘If you wish, you can become all flame’”.
A Word from a Brother
As Lent draws to a close, many of us may find ourselves echoing the sentiments of Abba Lot: we've engaged in small acts of selflessness, put in a bit more effort, and perhaps, at our best, shown kindness to others. But where do we go from here?
Abba Joseph's response is both enigmatic and provocative: If you wish, you can become all flame. This call invites us to make a quantum leap in our spiritual journey. It's about transitioning from mere action to a renewed state of being. The purpose of our actions is to lead us to a profound inner transformation to become truly joyful and passionate; Christians on fire.
The Jewish theologian A. J. Heschel observes how, in congregational gatherings, individuals who are otherwise sensitive and engaging become passive and lethargic. He remarks, "Those who lack spiritual vitality cannot truly praise God." Doesn't this remind you so much of what happens to so many Christians?
Yet, undoubtedly, we've also encountered individuals who did appear to be all on fire. I think of those enlightened by the gentle glow of kindness and humility, fuelled by sincere enthusiasm and the genuine optimism that springs from faith. These people are a living witness that Christianity is a true way to flourishing and fulfilment!
This Lenten season, if we want to, let us pray that we too become all flame as them.
A Prayer for the Road Ahead
Convert, Lord,
our face from the world
through our desire for you;
that we may see
the world as it is
and let us not continue to confuse shadows
with true things. Amen.
(Isaac of Nineveh - 7th cent.)
What to say? Oh, I just want to mark and underline this. Yes, yes, yes! And thank you guys for what you are doing. Yessssssss!