Macarius the Egyptian: Labouring to Enter the Heavenly Jerusalem Friday, Jun 14 2013

How should we be anything but serpents, we who are not found in obedience to God, but in the disobedience which came by the serpent?

How to bewail the calamity as it deserves, I cannot find.

How to cry aloud and weep to Him that is able to expel the error lodged within me, I do not know.

How shall I sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

How shall I lament for Jerusalem? How shall I flee from the grievous bondage of Pharaoh?

How am I to quit the foul place of sojourn? How can I deny the bitter tyranny? How can I get out of the land of Egypt?

How can I cross the Red Sea? how pass the great wilderness? how escape perishing from the bite of serpents? how conquer the aliens?

How shall I utterly destroy the heathen within me? How shall I receive the oracles of the law of God upon these tables of mine?

How shall I see the true pillar of light, and of the cloud proceeding from the Holy Ghost?

How shall I enjoy the manna of eternal delight? how drink the water from the life-giving rock? How am I to pass over Jordan, entering into the good land of promise?

How am I to see the Captain of the Lord’s host, whom Joshua the son of Nun, when he saw Him, immediately fell down and worshipped?

Unless I go through all this and destroy the heathen within me, I cannot go into the sanctuary of God and rest, nor become a partaker of the glory of the King.

Therefore labour to become a child of God without fault, and to enter into that rest, whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Christ.

Labour to be enrolled in the church in heaven with the firstborn that you may be found at the right hand of the majesty of the Most High. Labour to enter into the holy city, the Jerusalem that is at peace, that is above, above all, where also is Paradise.

You have no other way to be admitted to these wonderful and blessed types, unless you pour out tears day and night, like him who says Every night wash I my bed, and water my couch with my tears.

You know well that they that sow in tears shall reap in joy. The prophet says boldly Hold not Thy peace at my tears.

[...] For the tear that is really shed out of much affliction and anguish of heart in the knowledge of the truth, with burning of the inward parts, is indeed a food of the soul.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [attributed]: Spiritual Homily 25,6-8, trans. by A.J. Mason DD.

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Macarius the Egyptian: We Have Not Yet Taken to Ourselves the Gladness of Christ’s Salvation Friday, May 24 2013

(Continued from here…)

Do you wish to know why we, who were created in honour and put to live in paradise, came at last to be compared unto the beasts that have no understanding and were made like to them, having fallen from the glory of innocence?

Understand that, having become by the transgression the slaves of the fleshly passions, we shut ourselves out of the happy land of the living, and, being reduced to captivity, we are still sitting by the waters of Babylon.

And because we are still held in Egypt, we have not yet inherited the land of promise, flowing with milk and honey.

We have not yet been leavened with the leaven of sincerity, but are still in the leaven of wickedness.

Our heart is not yet sprinkled with the blood of God; for the snare of hell, and the hook of sin is still fixed in it.

We have not yet taken to ourselves the gladness of Christ’s salvation, for the sting of death is still rooted in us.

We have not yet put on the new man, which after God is created in holiness, since we have not yet put off the old man which is corrupt according to the sinful lusts.

We have not yet borne the image of the heavenly, nor been made conformed to His glory.

We have not yet worshipped God in spirit and in truth, because sin reigns in our mortal body.

We have not yet beheld the glory of the incorruptible, for we are still under the operation of the moonless night .

We have not yet put on the armour of light, since we have not yet put off the armour and the darts and the works of darkness.

We have not yet been transformed by the renewing of the mind, for we are still conformed to this world in the vanity of the mind.

We are not yet glorified with Christ, because we have not suffered with Him.

We do not yet bear in our body the marks of Him, and are not in the secret of the cross of Christ, for we are still in the affections and lusts of the flesh.

We are not yet heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, for the spirit of bondage is still in us, not that of adoption.

We have not yet become the temple of God and the habitation of the Holy Ghost, for we are still the temple of idols and the hold of the spirits of wickedness because of our propensity to the passions.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [attributed]: Spiritual Homily 25,4, trans. by A.J. Mason DD.

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Macarius the Egyptian: One who Wishes to be a Partaker of the Divine Glory Must Seek the Help which Comes Mightily from God Friday, Apr 12 2013

Those upon whom the divine law is written, not with ink and letters, but implanted in hearts of flesh, these, having the eyes of their mind enlightened, and reaching after a hope, not tangible and seen, but invisible and immaterial, have power to get the better of the stumbling- blocks of the evil one, not by themselves, but from the power that never can be defeated.

But those who have not been honoured with God’s word, nor instructed by divine law…fancy that by their own free will they can bring to nought the resources of sin, which is only condemned through the mystery contained in the Cross.

It lies in the power of man’s free will to resist the devil, but it does not extend to an absolute command over the passions. Except the Lord build the house…and keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain, and the builder laboureth in vain (Ps. 126:1).

You cannot go upon the asp and basilisk and tread under your feet the lion and the dragon [cf Ps. 90:13] without first purging yourself as far as human ability goes, and being strengthened by Him who said to the apostles, Behold, I have given you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and upon all the power of the enemy.

If human nature had had force, without the whole armour of the Holy Ghost, to stand against the wiles of the devil, St Paul would not have said, The God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly, and again, Whom the Lord shall destroy with the Spirit of His mouth.

That is why we are bidden of the Lord to pray, Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. If we are not delivered by the superior power from the fiery darts of the wicked one and admitted to the adoption of sons, our social existence is in vain; we are far from the power of God.

Accordingly, one who wishes to be a partaker of the divine glory, and to see as in a glass the form of Christ in the ruling faculty of his own soul, ought with insatiable affection and an inclination which is never filled, with all his heart and all his might, by night and when it is day, to seek the help which comes mightily from God.

Of this help, as I have said before, it is impossible to partake, unless a man first abstains from the luxury of the world, from the desires of the opposing power, which is alien to the light, and is an activity of wickedness with no kinship to a good activity, but wholly estranged from it.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [attributed]; Fifty Spiritual Homilies, 25,1-3, trans. by A.J. Mason DD.

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Macarius the Egyptian: Jesus Came to Make the Inward Man Whole Saturday, Feb 9 2013

Let the soul be entirely given up to asking and love towards the Lord, not wandering and carried about with thoughts, but with all its might endeavouring and gathering itself up with all its thoughts, and bent upon waiting for Christ.

[...] The Lord rests upon the soul’s good intention, making it a throne of glory, and sitting and resting upon it.

That was what we heard from the prophet Ezekiel, concerning the spiritual creatures harnessed to the chariot of the Lord.

He represents them to us as eyes all over, as the soul is that carries God, or rather is carried by God; it becomes all eye.

As a house that has its master at home is full of all orderliness and beauty and seemliness, so the soul which has its Lord with it, and abiding in it, is full of all beauty.

It has the Lord with His spiritual treasures for its inhabitant and its charioteer.

But woe to the house whose master is away, and whose lord is not present. It is desolate, and broken down, full of all uncleanness and disorder.

There, as the prophet says, sirens and demons dwell. In the deserted house are cats and dogs, and all uncleanness.

Woe to the soul that does not arise from its grievous fall, nor receive the fair Master of the house, even Christ, for its inhabitant, but remains in its uncleanness, and has within it those who persuade and compel it to have enmity with its own Bridegroom, and desire to corrupt its thoughts from Christ.

But when the Lord sees that to the best of its ability the soul recollects itself, always seeking and waiting for the Lord night and day, and crying to Him, even as He commanded to pray without ceasing in everything, He will avenge it, as He promised, cleansing it from the evil within it, and will present it unto Himself a bride without blemish and without spot.

[...] Take heed to yourself, whether your soul has found the light to guide it, and the true meat and drink, which is the Lord.

If you have not, seek night and day, that you may receive. When you see the sun, seek the true Sun, for you are blind.

When you behold the light, look into your soul, whether you have found the true Light, the good  Light.

All the things which meet the senses are a shadow of the true realities of the soul.

There is another man within, besides the man who is seen; and eyes, which Satan has blinded, and ears, which he has deafened.

And Jesus came to make this inward man whole.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [attributed]; Fifty Spiritual Homilies, 33, trans. by A.J. Mason DD.

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Macarius the Egyptian: When the Soul is Cleansed from Corrupt Affections and is Thoroughly Mixed with the Holy Spirit… Thursday, Jan 3 2013

Let us illustrate in some measure by examples the methods of the Spirit in the soul.

At a certain time then are they elated, as at a royal banquet, and rejoice with joy and gladness not to be expressed.

At another season are they as the bride, that in communion with the bridegroom enjoys divine pleasures.

At other times they are as the angels, which are not clogged with this earthly tabernacle.

At other times, they are in grief and lamentation for all mankind, and interceding for the whole stock of Adam.

They take up a wailing and a weeping for it; the love of the Spirit for the human nature kindling and flaming out within them.

At other times the joy and love of the Spirit inflames them to that degree that, were it possible, they would snatch up every man into their own hearts, not making the least distinction of the bad from the good.

At other times they are humbled so far below every other person in the self-abasement of the Spirit, as to think themselves inferior to and less than all.

At other times they are like a strong man, that, having put on the royal armour, and coming down in battle upon his enemies, fights valiantly against them and overcomes them.

For in like manner, he too that is spiritual takes the heavenly weapons of the Spirit, and comes upon his enemies and fights them and treads them under his feet.

At other times does the soul rest in great silence, and calmness and peace, being given up to spiritual pleasure, and rest unspeakable.

At other times it is instructed by grace in a sort of understanding and wisdom not to be described, and a knowledge of the Spirit that is past finding out, in such things as it is impossible for the tongue to utter.

So very various is the way of grace in them, and such variety is there in the manner after which it conducts the soul, refreshing it according to the will and pleasure of God.

And with equal variety does it exercise her, thereby to restore her perfect and blameless, and pure to our heavenly Father.

These several refreshments of grace are expressed indeed very differently. However, there is no intermission of their influence; but one operation continually succeeds another.

For when the soul is thoroughly cleansed from all its corrupt affections, and is united, by an ineffable communion, to the Spirit, the Comforter, and is thoroughly mixed with the Spirit, and is become spirit itself, then is it all light, all eye, all spirit, all joy, all rest, all gladness, all love, all heart, all goodness and clemency.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [this homily, like much of the Macarian corpus is generally attributed to the anonymous author known as Pseudo-Macarius]; Spiritual Homily 10, 6-9, trans. by the Revd D.R. Jenning; full text, with corrections and editorial, at the Monachos.net Library Project.

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Macarius the Egyptian: The True Treasure of Christ in Our Hearts, in the Power and Efficacy of the Spirit Saturday, Nov 17 2012

They who have found the heavenly treasure of the Spirit, the Lord shining in their hearts, fulfil that entire extent of goodness there is in the commandments of the Lord, from that treasure that is within them – Christ – and by means of that do they amass together a large store of heavenly wealth.

For by means of the heavenly treasure do they work every virtue in the whole circle of righteousness, and every commandment of the Lord, by the help of the invisible riches of the grace within them.

Whoever therefore possesses within himself this heavenly treasure of the Spirit, he fulfils in this spirit all the righteousness of the commandments, and the complete practice of the virtues, without blame, and in purity; moreover without compulsion or difficulty.

Then let us beseech God, and seek diligently unto him, and pour out our supplications before him, that he would freely grant unto us the treasure of his Spirit, that we may be enabled to walk in all his commandments without reproof, and without blemish, and fulfil all the righteousness of the Spirit in purity and perfection.

For he that is poor, and naked, and a beggar, can purchase nothing in the world; but he that has a treasure at command, without trouble, is master of what possession he pleases.

So the soul that is naked, and destitute of God, cannot, would it ever so fain, produce any of the fruits of the Spirit of righteousness in truth and reality, before it actually partakes of the Spirit itself.

[...] We ought therefore to beg of God with earnestness of heart, that he would grant unto us his riches, the true treasure of Christ, in our hearts, in the power and efficacy of the Spirit.

And thus having found first within ourselves salvation and eternal life, we shall then profit others also, producing from that treasure of Christ within us all the goodness of spiritual discourses, and declaring heavenly mysteries.

For so it pleases the good will of the Father, that he should dwell with every one that believes: “He that loves me”, says Christ, “shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him”. And again, “We will come unto him, I and my Father, and make our abode with him”.

Thus did the infinite kindness of the Father’s will; thus was the inconceivable love of Christ pleased. And thus did the unspeakable goodness of the Spirit promise. Glory be to the tender mercies of the Holy Trinity, which surpass all expression!

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [this homily, like much of the Macarian corpus is generally attributed to the anonymous author known as Pseudo-Macarius]; Spiritual Homily 10, 1-5, trans. by the Revd D.R. Jenning; full text, with corrections and editorial, at the Monachos.net Library Project.

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Macarius the Egyptian: Anointed from the Tree of Life, Jesus Christ Sunday, May 6 2012

The Christians, who are come the nearest to the King, are at all times devoted to the cross of Christ. And when they are anointed with the heavenly unction, they commence to be kings and prophets of the heavenly mysteries.

For if the anointing oil that came from an outward plant had so much virtue that the persons anointed with it were constituted kings thereby; how much more do they who are anointed with the sanctifying and cheering oil of gladness, the heavenly and spiritual oil, receive the sign of that incorruptible kingdom, and everlasting power, the earnest of the Spirit, the very spirit of holiness and comfort?

It is called the Comforter, by reason of that comfort and support it bestows upon them that are in afflictions.

These being anointed from the tree of life, Jesus Christ, from the heavenly plant, are thought worthy to come to perfection; to the kingdom, and the adoption, being admitted to the secret councils of the heavenly King, and having free access to the Almighty, entering into his very palace, where are angels, and the spirits of the holy persons, though at the same time they live in this present world.

For though they have not actually received the inheritance prepared for them in that world, they are secure from the earnest of the Spirit, which they have received, as if they were already crowned, and in possession of the kingdom.

Nor does it seem a strange thing to them that they shall reign together with Christ, through the overflowing presence of the Spirit. For what reason? Even because though in the flesh, they have a relish of its sweetness, and that effectual working of his power.

For they that are to reign in the world to come are beforehand acquainted with the mysteries of grace. Indeed, since man transgressed the commandment, the devil has covered the whole soul with a dark veil.

But when grace comes, the veil is thrown off; so that the soul, becoming pure and regaining its proper nature, a creature free from blame or spot, ever after beholds with a clear sight the glory of the true light and the true Sun of Righteousness flashing with his bright beams upon the heart itself.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [attributed]; Spiritual Homily 9, 1-2, trans. by the Revd D.R. Jenning; full text, with corrections and editorial, at the Monachos.net Library Project.

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Macarius the Egyptian: True Christians Have Their Heart and Mind Constantly Occupied with the Thoughts of Heaven Friday, Nov 4 2011

The word that was spoken to Cain by his Maker, “You shall go mourning and trembling, and be tossed about upon the earth”, is a type and image of all sinners, as to their inward state.

For thus is the race of Adam tossed about with the incessant suggestions of fear and dread, and every kind of disturbance, the prince of this world tossing to and fro the soul that is not born of God;

and variously disturbing the thoughts of mankind, as corn that is continually shifted about in a sieve;

and shaking and ensnaring them all in worldly deceits, and the lusts of the flesh, with fears and troubles.

As from one Adam the whole race of mankind was spread over the earth, so one taint in the affections was derived down into the sinful stock of men; and the prince of malice is sufficiently able to shift them all in restless, and gross, and vain, and troublesome reflections.

[...] For in this do true Christians differ from the whole race of mankind besides: they have their heart and mind constantly taken up with the thoughts of heaven;

and, through the presence and participation of the Holy Spirit, do behold, as in a glass, the good things which are eternal, being born of God from above, and thought worthy to become the children of God in truth and power;

and being arrived, through many conflicts and labours, to a settled and fixed state, to an exemption from trouble, to perfect rest, are never sifted more by unsettled and vain thoughts.

Herein are they greater and better than the world. Their mind and the desire of their soul are in the peace of Christ, and the love of the Spirit; and they have passed from death to life.

Wherefore the alteration peculiar to Christians does not consist in any outward fashions, but in the renovation of the mind, and the peace of the thoughts, and the love of the Lord, even the heavenly love.

Herein Christians differ from all men besides. The Lord has given them truly to believe on him, and to be worthy of those spiritual good things.

For the glory, and the beauty, and the heavenly riches of Christians are inexpressible, and purchased only with labour, and pains, and trials, and many conflicts.

But the whole is owing to the grace of God.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391); Spiritual Homily 4,2-4, trans. by the Revd D.R. Jenning; full text, with corrections and editorial, at the Monachos.net Library Project.

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Macarius the Egyptian: Anointed in Mind and Heart with the Sanctifying Oil of Gladness, We Receive the Pledge of the Holy Spirit Thursday, Jun 16 2011

Mature Christians who are deemed worthy to attain perfection, and to come close to the King, are always consecrated to the Cross of Christ.

As in prophetic times anointing was regarded as a most honourable rite, since kings and prophets were anointed, so now spiritual men are anointed with a heavenly unction and become Christians by grace so that they too may be kings, and prophets or heavenly mysteries.

They are sons and lords and gods, bound, held captive, overwhelmed, crucified and consecrated.

Anointing with oil from a visible plant, a tree that could be seen, had such virtue that those anointed received an undisputed dig­nity, for this was the recognized way of appointing kings.

David, for example, after his anointing, was immediately exposed to persecutions and afflictions, and then after seven years he became King.

How much more, then, do those who are anointed in mind and heart with the sanctifying and cheering oil of gladness, the heavenly and spiritual unction, receive the seal of that kingdom of incorruptible and eternal power, namely the pledge of the Spirit, the Holy Spirit?

And this Holy Spirit is called the Paraclete because of the encouragement and grace he gives to those who suffer.

Anointed with ointment from the tree of life, Jesus Christ, the heavenly plant, these men are counted worthy to attain perfec­tion, to become kings and adopted sons of God, sharing in the secrets of the heavenly King and enjoying free access to the Al­mighty.

Even while still in this world they enter his palace, the dwelling-place of the angels and the spirits of the Saints.

For although they are not yet in possession of that perfect inheritance prepared for them in the age to come, they are as fully assured of it through the pledge they have received here on earth as though they were already crowned, already reigning.

Christians find nothing strange in the fact that they are destined to reign in the world to come, since they have known the mysteries of grace beforehand.

When man transgressed the commandment, the devil shrouded the soul with a covering of darkness.

But with the coming of grace the veil is entirely stripped away, so that with clear eyes the soul, now cleansed and restored to its true nature, which was created pure and blameless, ever clearly beholds the glory of the true light, the true Sun of Righteousness, brilliantly shining in its inmost being.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) [this homily, like much of the Macarian corpus is generally attributed to the anonymous author known as Pseudo-Macarius): Macarian Homilies 17.1-4 (PG 34:794-6); from the Monastic Office of Vigils, Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time, Year I.

 

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Macarius the Egyptian: They will be Permeated with that Glory which their Souls in This Life have Already Experienced Friday, Apr 29 2011

Moses shows us what glory true Christians will receive in the resurrection: namely the glory of light and the spiritual delights of the Spirit which even now they are deemed worthy to possess interiorily.

Because of this, these gifts of the Spirit will redound in their bodies then.

The saints even now possess this glory in their souls…but it will then cover and clothe their naked bodies.

It will sweep them up into Heaven and we will at last come to rest, both body and soul, with the Lord forever.

When God created Adam, he did not furnish him with material wings as birds have, but he prepared for him the wings of the Holy Spirit.

The same he plans on giving him at the resurrection, to lift him and direct him wherever the Spirit wishes.

These wings the saints already now are deemed worthy to possess to fly up mentally to the realms of heavenly thoughts.

[...] This power already they are considered worthy to enjoy in their souls through the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, also in the resurrection their bodies will be worthy to receive those eternal blessings of the Holy Spirit.

They will be permeated with that glory which their souls in this life have already experienced.

Therefore, each of us should strive and make every effort to pursue diligently all virtues.

We ought to believe and seek from the Lord that the inner man receive even now this glory and that we may participate in the holiness of the Spirit so that, purged from all sordid traces of evil, we may receive also in the resurrection what will clothe our bodies as they rise naked, what will cover any deformity, will vivify and transform them in the heavenly kingdom forever.

Christ will descend from Heaven and raise up all generations of Adam that have fallen asleep from the beginning of time, as Holy Scripture proves.

[...] Those who bear his particular sign, that is, the sign of the Spirit, he will call to himself as his very own and place them at his right hand.

He says: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know mine own and I am known by mine” (John 10:27;14).

Then shall their bodies be surrounded by the divine glory because of their good works.

They themselves will be filled with the glory of the Spirit which in this life they enjoyed in their souls.

And thus, illumined by the divine light and caught up into Heaven “to meet the Lord in the air (as is written), we shall be always with the Lord” (1 Thess. 4:17), reigning with him forever and ever.

Macarius the Egyptian (c. 300-391) Macarian Homilies 5.11-12, from Pseudo-Macarius: The Fifty Spiritual Homilies and The Great Letter, translated, edited, and with an introduction by George A. Maloney, SJ (Paulist Press, 1992) [Classics of Western Spirituality series].

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