February 2013 – Restless Pilgrim

Desert Fathers: The Soft Kitty* Alternative

February 28, 2013 pilgrim One comment

A hermit said, “If you fall ill, do not complain. If the Lord God has willed that your body should be weakened , who are you to complain about it? Does he not care for you in all your needs? Surely you would not be alive without him. Be patient in your illness and ask God to give you what is right, that is, that which will enable you to do his will, and be patient, and eat what you have in charity” – De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

* If this title makes no sense, please click on the above image

Catholicism

Desert Fathers: Athlete of God

February 27, 2013 pilgrim 3 comments

Boxing

A hermit said about the temptation to lust, ‘Do you want to be saved? Go, and discipline yourself, “Seek, and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you”. In the world there are boxers who are hit hard and yet stand firm and receive crowns. Sometimes one is set up on by two at once and their blows give him strength so that he overcomes them. Have you not seen what strength exercise brings? So stand and be strong and the Lord will defeat your enemy for you”

– De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

Quotation

Desert Fathers: Change During Temptation

February 26, 2013 pilgrim 3 comments

Travel

It used to be said that if you were tempted where you were living, you should not leave the place at the time of the temptation. If you did leave it then, you would find that the temptation that you were fleeing would go with you to the next place. You should be patient till temptation is over, then you could leave without upsetting anyone or troubling others who lived there.

– De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

Quotation

Desert Fathers: Praising God

February 25, 2013 pilgrim One comment

Hyperichius said, “Keep praising God with hymns, and meditating continually, and so lighten the burden of the temptations that attack you. A traveler carrying a heavy burden stops from time to time to take deep breaths, and so makes the journey easier and the burden light”

– De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

Quotation

Desert Fathers: Guarding the wellspring

February 24, 2013 pilgrim Leave a comment

A brother said to Sisois, “I want to guard my heart.”

He said to him, “How can we guard the heart if our tongue leaves the door of the fortress open?”

– De vitis Patrum, Sive Verba Seniorum, Liber V

Quotation

TOT: Getting Right With God

February 23, 2013 pilgrim Leave a comment

This month’s theology on Tap was brought to a close by Deacon Ray Arnold with his talk entitled “Getting right with God: Making the most of your Lent”. The talk, the Q&A session and the audience response are all available for download below.