Prayer is joy that sends up thanksgiving.
Saint Isaac the Syrian
encircling mercy
“when a man becomes humble, at once mercy encircles him, and then his heart is aware of Divine help, because if finds a certain power and assurance moving in itself. And when a man perceives {the coming} of Divine help, and that it is this which aids him, then at once his heart is filled with faith, and he understands from this that prayer is the refuge of help, a source of salvation, a treasury of assurance, a haven that rescues from the tempest, a light to those who are in darkness, a staff of the infirm, a shelter in time of temptations, a medicine at the height of sickness, a shield of deliverance in ware, an arrow sharpened against the face of his enemies and to speak simple, the entire multitude of these good things is found to have its entrance through prayer.”
Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
humility collects the heart
When a man knows that he is in need of Divine help, he makes many prayers. And by as much as he multiplies them, his heart is humbled, for there is no man who will not be humbled when he is making supplication and entreaty. “A heart that is broken and humbled, God will not despise.: There fore, as long as the heart is not humbled, it can not cease from wandering, for humility collects the heart.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria
Homily Eight
blessed is the man
Blessed is the man who knows his own weakness, because this knowledge comes to him the foundation, the root, and the beginning of all goodness. For whenever a man learns and truly perceives his own weakness, at that moment he contracts his soul of every side from the laxity that dims knowledge, and he treasures up watchfulness in himself.
Saint Isaac the Syrian
Ascetical Writing of Saint Isaac the Syrian : Homily Eight
spark of faith
A fire can not be ignited with wet wood, nor can the divine fervour be kindled in a heart which loves ease.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
on the love of God
The sufferings of this present age undertaken for the truth can not be compared with the delights that is prepared for those who labor in good works. And just as the sheaves of gladness follow for those who sow with tears, so joy follows for those who suffer hardship for the sake of God. Bread procured with much sweat seems sweet to the husbandman, and sweet are works for righteousness sake to the heart which has received the knowledge of Christ.
Suffer contempt and humiliation with good will, that you may have boldness before God. The man who with knowledge endures all manner of harsh words without having previously wronged his chide, at that moment places a crown of thrown on his head, and he is blessed, for he is crowned with an imperishable crown in a time he knows not.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria
Homily Four : On the Love of God and Renunciation and the Rest Which is in God
love humility and prudence
Be free, though your are bound in a body, and for Christ’s sake, show forth obedience in your freedom. But also be prudent in your simplicity, lest you be plundered. Love humility in all your activities that you be delivered from the imperceptible snares that are always found outside the pathways of humble men. Do not reject afflictions, for through them you will enter in the knowledge of the truth, and do not fear temptations, because therein you find precious things.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
Homily Three
awaken to wonder
Not every man is wakened to wonder by what is said spiritually and has great power concealed in it. A word concerning virtue has need of a heart unbusied with the earth and its converse.
Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria
Homily One, Number 21
the things of God
The things of God, they say, come of themselves, without one being aware of it. Yes, but only if the place is clean and undefiled. If the pupil of your soul’s eye is not pure, do not venture to gaze at the orb of the sun, lest you be deprived of your sight – which is simple faith, humility, confession from the heart, and your small labors according to your capacity.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac the Syrian
Homily Two
On Thankfulness to God, In Which there are Also Elementary Lessons
pursue mercy
Do you wish to commune with God in your intellect by receiving a perception of that delight which is not enslaved to the senses? Pursue mercy, for when something that is like unto God is found in you, then that holy beauty is depicted by Him. For the whole sum of the deeds of mercy immediately brings the soul into communion with the unity of the glory of the Godheads splendor.
The Ascetical Homilies of Saint Isaac of Syria
Homily One, Number 7
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