The Ascetical Homilies of St. Isaac the Syrian - Homily IV, Part IV

St Isaac the Syrian’s words strike with such power and seek to draw us away from what we desperately cling to as human beings - vainglory. Our focus upon ourselves, our particular needs and desires, makes us gather “abominable treasures“ for ourselves that defile our hearts. But more than defiling our hearts, such a vainglory prevents us from experiencing the love and mercy of God in all of its fullness. 

Thus, Saint Isaac does not hold back in emphasizing the need to purify the heart from all vainglory and pride. His words crash upon the heart like a hammer against an anvil. It is better for us to free ourselves from the shackle of sin than to free slaves from slavery. It is better for us to make peace with our soul than it is to teach about bringing peace among men. It is good to speak about the things of God but it is better for us to make ourselves pure for Him. To speak humbly and to be seen as uncouth by others is better than speaking eloquently about things that we only know as hearsay or that are writings of ink.

What St. Isaac is seeking to have us contemplate is the transformative power of God‘s grace and the presence of the Holy Spirit within our hearts. It is God‘s love and mercy that transforms the repentant heart and it is that same love and mercy that transforms the world; even if it remains hidden in obscurity or in poverty. What value is there in a person preaching or teaching about God when through his negligence his soul remains sickly? What gain is there to teach others or lead them to the knowledge of God and then to fall away from hope in God?

We begin to see through St. Isaac’s writings how we have obscured the gospel. In doing so we have not only weakened its message but we have also lost sight of the presence of God within the sorrows and afflictions of life.  It is through the Cross that we have been redeemed and when there is fidelity and trust in the Lord, when we are humbled by life, it is then that His power is made perfect.

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Text of chat during the group:

00:19:39 Gwen’s iPhone: Blessed Transfiguration  Father

00:24:55 Myles Davidson: What is the distinction between vainglory and pride?

00:27:53 Jamie Hickman: Was the hedgehog reference from John Chrysostom? Love it...just not familiar with it

00:29:24 Jamie Hickman: ah yes, thank you, Father

00:32:24 Anthony: I have a feeling St Isaac is reflecting on his short time as an active bishop, which he fled.

00:33:39 Myles Davidson: Replying to "ah yes, thank you, F..."

Cassian’s Conference 10.11

00:34:03 Jamie Hickman: Reacted to "Cassian’s Confere..." with ✍️

00:36:18 Jamie Hickman: Mary your vocation to purify your heart is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.

00:45:51 Anthony: This is the difference of the frankness of a "Rocky" instead of the glibness of Apollo Creed

00:47:57 Rebecca: Sometimes a humble spirit can become a source of pride and vainglory….

00:49:18 Rebecca: …as in the false self co-opts the experience of the ‘humble spirit’.

01:02:38 Russ’s iPhone: Lewis- Pain is Gods divine megaphone to rouse us from our spiritual slumber, or pain is Gods divine drill into the human heart.

01:07:23 Ren Witter: I feel like a lot of the time, the same circumstances that can humble can also lead to intense anger and resentment. What is the difference between the person who allows themselves to be humbled, and the one who responds with resentment and anger?

01:08:55 Anthony: I plenty of times start with anger and have to put it aside.  Maybe that is humility.  Over and over again.

01:09:47 Anthony: We have to remember we are humans, not the mythical Vulcans

01:10:47 Mary 🕊️: Through a history of interactions with Christ I begin to experience his trustworthiness.

01:11:13 Anthony: Reacted to Through a history of... with "👍"

01:12:27 Ren Witter: I feel like maybe the last stage in this process is to resign oneself with joy, rather than sadness. Very difficult.

01:14:45 Diana Cleveland: Reacted to "Through a history of..." with ❤️

01:14:47 Lee Graham: Reacted to "I feel like maybe th…" with ❤️

01:16:32 David: My grandfather used to say it is a curse to say to people- I just want you to be happy which is the road to live an empty life chasing that which never fulfills. When had my children I always said - I just want you to have a fulfilling life. Through lost, struggle, overcoming problems I have grow to appreciate this along with growing closer to Christ.

01:16:59 Andrew Adams: Reacted to "My grandfather used ..." with ❤️

01:17:21 Mary 🕊️: So my death is day by day swallowed up by his Life.

01:21:45 Andrew Adams: Thanks be to God! Thank you, Father! Great discussion tonight!

01:21:48 Rebecca Thérèse: Thank you☺️

01:21:50 Rebecca: Thank you!

01:21:52 Jeffrey Ott: Thank you!! Great to be with you all

01:21:55 Diana Cleveland: Thank you!

01:21:56 Bob Čihák, AZ: Thank you, Father.

01:21:57 Gwen’s iPhone: Thank you

01:22:06 Erick Chastain: thank you Father

01:22:08 David: Thank you father God bless you and your mother!

01:22:35 Mary 🕊️: Love to all!! Each and every one ❤️