July 26, 1998
Is
Asceticism Absolute? Or Relative?
Today's thought is about Abba Arsenius the Great, one of the
most famous abbots and ascetics of Scetis, near present-day Alexandria, Egypt. This
illustration is very important in understanding asceticism and how it applies differently
to different people.
BEGIN: They used to say that on one occasion when Abba Arsenius the Great fell ill in
Scete, a priest went and brought him to the church, and he spread a palm-leaf mat for him,
and placed a small pillow under his head; and one of the old men came to visit him and saw
that he was lying upon a mat that he had a pillow under his head, and he was offended and
said, "And this is Arsenius lying upon such things!"
Then the priest took the old man aside privately, and said unto him, "What labor did
you do in your village?" And the old man said unto him, "I was a shepherd."
And the priest said unto him, "What manner of life did you lead in the world?"
And he said unto him, "A life of toil, and great want."
And when the old man had described all the tribulation which he had endured in the world,
the priest said unto him, "And here what manner of life do you lead?" And the
old man said unto him, "In my cell I have everything comfortable, and I have more
than I want." And the priest said unto him, "Consider the position of Abba
Arsenius when he was in the world! He was the father of kings, and a thousand slaves, girt
about with gold-embroidered vests, and with chains and ornaments around their necks, and
clothed in silk, stood before him; and he had the most costly couches and cushions to lie
upon. But you were a shepherd, and the comforts which you never enjoyed in the world, you
have here; but his man Arsenius has not here the comforts which he enjoyed in the world,
and now you are at ease while he is troubled."
Then the mind of the old man was opened, and he expressed contrition and said,
"Father, forgive me; I have sinned. Verily this is the way of truth. He has come to a
state of humility, while I have attained to ease."
And the old men having profited went his way. END
from E. A. Wallis Budge, "The Paradise of the Holy Fathers, (Seattle: St.
Nectarios Press, 1984), pp. 106-107
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