Lest You Remain

“A blind man sat at the side of the road” (Luke 18:35). Realize that the intention of the man sitting at the side of the road, who was asking to get his sight back, was to receive either alms from passers-by or light from the Savior, about whose arrival to Jerico, he received a message earlier. And if for these two things, he endured so many burdens, still sitting at the side of the road, exposed to heat and cold, and with such perseverance, begging for the gift of external light for his eyes, calling to the Savior with such persistent cries that he irritated the ears of those who accompanied Christ; then think what perseverance in prayer you need, what persistence in enduring mortifications and the hardships of this life to receive an internal light, at least a spark of devoutness, to get, like a dog, a crumb and a bite from the table of its master; to deserve, in the end, to stay in the holy temple, in the face of this incredible Sun; and could delight in its light. Such a perseverant man is able to achieve everything, no heavenly gift can be obtained without steadfastness in prayer. “Lord, I want to see” (Luke 18:41). If the blind man asked only for giving him back the sight to see the world and the things created, with what desire you should ask for the light of your soul, with what persistence in prayer and—let me say—with what holy obtrusiveness you should demand to look at the very Creator and contemplate Him? People who do not know the path of holy contemplation are deprived of a very powerful tool, since, thanks to it, one can reach a knowledge of oneself and God and can achieve a close communion with the Creator of all things, with the Highest Goodness. In fact, there is no better good and gift of God, among those bestowed upon people, as the gift and benefit of contemplation, since all the happiness of the saints comes from watching God.. Thus, those who with a shrewd and very careful mind, contemplate God, them- selves and God’s creation, in a way, access this happiness, receive a foretaste of it and become its participants. Holy contemplation is the eye of the soul: look for it with all your heart, demand it with all your strength, and ask for it in ceaseless prayers. And when you receive it, guard it so that you would not lose it. Pay attention not to forfeit it in a multitude of things to accomplish. Remember to guard it so carefully as nor- mal people tend to guard their physical eyes. Topic IX : PRAYER AND ASCETICISM The Word of the Lord (Mt 16:21-27) From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you.” He L EST Y OU R EMAIN W ITHOUT W ORK IN THE V INEYARD OF THE L ORD 52