When the Mind is Well Disposed
So perhaps Abraham had some priest at his disposal? Some expert? Perhaps he had heard some teaching, some preaching, some wise counsel? But no written documents existed in those days, no Law, no Prophets, nothing of that sort at all.
He successfully sailed a sea that was not favourable to him in the slightest. He traversed a road that was impassable, he who came from an idolatrous family. Nevertheless, these harsh conditions did not harm him.
On the contrary, his holiness achieved great splendour. By practising the virtues before anyone else did, he left an example of what was to be taught by the Law, by the Prophets, by Christ: an authentic and burning love, contempt of riches, concern for his children…
Yet this righteous man did not have a home. The roof over his head was the shade of the trees.
Although a stranger in an unfriendly country he eagerly practised hospitality; he welcomed and entertained the three who arrived in the middle of the day. He did the impossible for his nephew, although Lot did not behave as he ought to his uncle. Then, under pressure of famine, he went as an exile again to another country, without any uneasiness or anxiety. He showed the same submissiveness, the same endurance of pain, the same patience.
What priest taught him all this? What expert? What prophet? None! It was because his own mind was so well disposed that he could cope with all these situations.
John Chrysostom On Providence, 13, I (SC79, pp.189ff.)
‘Pray for One Another’
You have written to me: ‘Pray to God for my sins.’ I answer you: ‘You must pray too for my sins.’
In fact we read in the Bible: ‘Treat others as you would have them treat you.’ [Luke 6:31]
I am the most wretched, the most miserable of all people myself. But to the best of my ability I make my own the words: ‘Pray for one another, that you may be healed.’ [Jas. 5:16]
Barsanuphius Letters (ed. Nicodemo I’Agiorita, Venice 1816)
~ Thomas Spidlik, Drinking from the Hidden Fountain, A Patristic Breviary: Ancient Wisdom for Today’s World
