Categories: orthodox-life, church-history
Date: 23 June 2008 10:41:21
My current e-mail signature is:
Even a very modest ascetical effort is pleasing to God and He regards it as an exquisite gift. Not only does God not blame the one who comes with this limited effort, but He accepts these modest things that are brought to Him with all our hearts as if they were important and perfect things.This is a quote from the seventh-century Bishop, and theologian, St Isaac of Nineveh, also known as Isaac the Syrian. More information on St Isaac can be found not only through the previously-linked Wikipedia article, but also from notes taken by Sr Macrina at a conference she went to [which I referenced in a previous post].
As well as, particularly currently as I feel as if I am in a time of spiritual struggle moreso than usual, hoping it is true and that God does regard my poor spiritual efforts as an "exquisite gift", the mercy and love in his writing greatly draws me in. Life, and our spiritual life in particular, can be a great struggle -- at least it is for me!; and while we no doubt often need "hard" teachings at time, the mercy of God, the love of God, the grace of God, should also never be far from our minds: and this is one of the joys I have discovered in getting to know many Eastern Saints.
As one cannot lump all Western Saints together, as if they were all the same, it is foolish to do so with the Saints of the Eastern Churches: but I have noticed some similarities, and have found myself drawn to many of them and their writings. Saint Isaac together with my name Saint St John Climacus and St Ephrem [Ephraim] the Syrian are just three I have found myself drawn to for a number of reasons -- perhaps the prime one that their writings, and particularly the imagery they use, appear to be so very different to the works I recall reading from "the West". And not forgetting the sayings of the many Desert Fathers.
In the weeks ahead I hope to share a bit more with you about the joy and light I have found in the writings of the Eastern Saints I have discovered.