Abba Moses - 1.0

We are continuing with lessons from the Desert Saints of Christianity.  I will continue to post several of the sayings of one of the desert fathers or mothers.  Read them over and find one that interests you.  Use that one saying as something to mull over in silent reflection and meditation.

Essentially you will be using it like a zen koan.  You will be doing lectio divina - this time it will be with a short aphorism from the Apophthegmata (Sayings of the Fathers).  Repeat it inside, over and over.  Listen for what the Spirit has to teach you from these aphorisms.

We will work with these sayings for a few weeks.  Be sure to journal what you hear.  This will leave a path for you to follow later, when you want to see where you have been and how you have developed.  On-line Journal at:  http://my-diary.org/  Don't forget it has features to remind you daily to write.  It can be made public or private, as well.

Here are some sayings from the Apophthegmata Patrium to read and contemplate for our daily practice of spiritual direction + spiritual formation.

Moses, called the Robber or the Negro, was a released slave

who lived as a robber in Nitria; late in life he became a

monk and was trained by Isidore the Priest. He was

ordained priest and became one of the great fathers of

Scetis. On the advice of Macarius he retired to Petra; he

was martyred with seven others barbarian invaders.

1. It happened that Abba Moses was struggling with the

temptation of fornication. Unable to stay any longer in the

cell, he went and told Abba Isidore. The old man exhorted

him to return to his cell. But he refused, saying, 'Abba, I

cannot.' Then Abba Isidore took Moses out onto the terrace

and said to him, 'Look towards the west.' He looked and saw

hordes of demons flying about and making a noise before

launching an attack. Then Abba Isidore said to him, 'Look

towards the east.' He turned and saw an innumerable

multitude of holy angels shining with glory. Abba Isidore

said, 'See, these are sent by the Lord to the saints to bring

them help, while those in the west fight against them. Those

who are with us are more in number than they are.' Then

Abba Moses, gave thanks to God, plucked up courage and

returned to his cell.

2. A brother at Scetis committed a fault. A council was

called to which Abba Moses was invited, but he refused to

go to it. Then the priest sent someone to say to him, 'Come,

for everyone is waiting' for you. 'So he got up and went. He

took a leaking jug, filled it with water and carried it with

him. The others came out to meet him and said to him,

'What is this, Father?' The old man said to them, (my sins ran

out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am

coming to judge the errors of another.' When they heard that

they said no more to the brother but forgave him.

3. Another day when a council was being held in Scetis,

the Fathers treated Moses with contempt in order to test

him, saying, 'Why does this black man come among us?'

When he heard this he kept silence. When the council was

dismissed, they said to him, 'Abba, did that not grieve you at

all? 'He said to them, 'I was grieved, but I kept silence.'

Number two has been a lifelong favorite of mine.  I would love to make a tee-shirt with the image on it to remind me and others of the simple iconic nature of this story...my sins run out behind me and I do not see them...how can I judge my brother.

Ciao!

+Tom