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"Amma Syncletica said, 'Many live on the mountains and behave as if they were living amidst the uproar of a city, and they are lost. It is possible while living amongst a crowd to be inwardly solitary, and
while living alone to be inwardly beset by the crowd.'"
- "Sayings of the Desert Fathers (and Mothers)," Syncletica -
(What does inner solitude mean to you? What helps you to live more deeply in this manner?)
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Rom 10:9-18; Ps 19:8, 9, 10, 11; Mt 4:18-22 R. The judgments of the Lord are true, and all of them are just.
The law of the LORD is perfect,
refreshing the soul;
The decree of the LORD is trustworthy,
giving wisdom to the simple.
The precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The command of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eye.
The fear of the LORD is pure,
enduring forever;
The ordinances of the LORD are true,
all of them just.
They are more precious than gold,
than a heap of purest gold;
Sweeter also than syrup
or honey from the comb. USCCB Lectionary
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Listening is the virtue that is not mentioned in most ethics books. We must learn
to listen. It is not simple to quiet the buzz in the brain and open into awareness. The habit of listening, like other habits, takes practice and help. "Dear God, keep worries at bay while I lay down my tasks to enter into your presence." Some say that emptying the self is impossible: instincts supposedly drive us to seek our advantage. The craving self is an axiom of economics, while a listening self appears strange: what are you listening for? In learning to listen, the myth of egoism shatters. In moments of quiet, another kind of strength is born within us. Surprised, we did not know such strength was ours. It flows from God. - by Jeanne Schuler Creighton Online Ministries
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On Cleaving to God, by St. Albert the Great
Furthermore the more a person recognises his own insignificance, the more he fully and the more clearly he becomes aware to the divine majesty, and the more a person is low in his own eyes for the sake of God, the truth and justice, the more precious he is in the eyes of God.
For this reason let us strive with the whole strength of our desire to consider ourselves the lowest of all and to consider ourselves unworthy of any favour. We should strive to be displeasing to ourselves and pleasing only to God, while regarded as low and unworthy of consideration by others. Above all not to be moved by difficulties, afflictions and insults, and not to be upset by those who inflict such things on us, or entertain evil thoughts against them or be indignant, but to believe steadfastly and with equanimity in all insults, slights, blows and dereliction that it is only appropriate. - Chapter 14. How self-distrust can be produced in a person, and how this can be beneficial if properly understood.
Paperback (Kindle edition available)
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