From: richarra@gmail.com   
      
   Of the Different Motions of Nature and Grace  [X]   
      
   Grace is a supernatural light, and the especial gift of God,( Eph.   
   2:8) the seal of His chosen and the pledge of salvation, (Eph.1:14)   
   which raises man from earthly things to love the heavenly, and from   
   worldly makes him spiritual. The more, therefore, that Nature is   
   controlled and overcome, the richer is the grace bestowed, while man   
   is daily renewed by fresh visitations after the likeness of God. (Col.   
   3:10)   
   --Thomas à Kempis --Imitation of Christ Bk 3 Ch 54   
      
   <<>><<>><<>>   
   March 27th - Saint John of Egypt, hermit and clairvoyant   
   (also known as Saint John of Lycopolis)   
      
   304-394   
      
    The holy and austere life of Saint John was recorded and admired by   
   Saint Jerome, Saint Augustine, Saint Cassia, and Saint Palladius.   
   Through his creation of solitude in his life, Saint John found peace   
   and extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit in his contemplation,   
   prayer, and sacrifice.   
      
   Saint John was born in Lycopolis, (modern-day Assiut) Egypt, and   
   worked as a carpenter with his father until he was 25 years of age. At   
   that time, he experienced a profound call from the Lord, which led him   
   to seek solitude in the desert, becoming a hermit. He desired nothing   
   more than to be alone with God, leaving the world for good, and   
   spending his life in prayer and sacrifice for God.   
      
   John found a teacher--an elderly, seasoned hermit--with whom he   
   studied and lived for ten years until the master’s death. From him, he   
   learned holiness and dedication, and shook off the chains of temper   
   and impatience that had weighed him down as a child and young adult.   
   His master tested him with many unreasonable commands, ordering him to   
   roll hard rocks, tend dead trees, and other equally difficult   
   pursuits. John distinguished himself through perfect obedience, for he   
   executed all commands with the simplicity of a child. Saint John   
   called this man his "spiritual father," and following his death, he   
   wandered for five years, living in various monasteries, observing how   
   monks pray and live.   
      
   During his time in monastery, John was visited by the monk, Palladius,   
   who John accurately predicted would become bishop one day. The future   
   Saint Palladius laughed, replying that he was only in charge of a   
   kitchen, but Saint John smiled and said, “You will have, in that   
   future office, many labors and afflictions to endure. If you want to   
   avoid them, remain in your solitude, for as long as you stay there, no   
   one can consecrate you a bishop!” Following his falling ill, Palladius   
   was indeed sent into the city to recuperate, and eventually appointed   
   bishop. He then endured significant suffering and persecution, and   
   while in hiding, remembered the words of Saint John of Egypt!   
      
   Following 16 years of training, Saint John withdrew from contact with   
   others, finding himself a cave at the top of a steep cliff, and   
   spending his days thinking only of the Lord. He divided his cave into   
   three parts: a living room, a work room, and a chapel. Once inside, he   
   walled himself off from people, and only interacted with others   
   through a tiny window. Many came to seek his preaching and counsel,   
   including Emperor Theodosius I. Local residents brought him the food   
   and other necessities required to live. Eventually, the stream of   
   pilgrims grew so great, that some remained in the area, building a   
   hospice, and becoming his disciples. They took care of the hospice so   
   that more people could come to benefit from the wisdom of this hermit.   
      
   Saint John’s life is remembered for many miracles. He had the gift of   
   reading souls and prophesy. Saint John frequently predicted future   
   events, including two military victories for the emperor. He cured   
   many of the ill by anointing them with blessed oil. On one occasion,   
   when a deacon visited him with six other persons, Saint John   
   recognized him as a cleric, though the young man had kept it a secret   
   until then, and denied it. Saint John kissed his hand after   
   identifying him as a deacon before all present, saying, “One must   
   never lie, even under the pretext of doing good. Beware of disavowing   
   the grace God has given you; for falsehood comes not from God, but   
   from an evil source, as Our Savior teaches us.” Saint John warned in   
   particular against vanity as well, saying: “Vanity is such a great and   
   dangerous sin that it can make souls fall from the very heights of   
   perfection; and that is why I exhort you to avoid it more than any   
   other.”   
      
   According to Saint Augustine, devils continually assailed Saint John,   
   but he never ceased his prayer. Even when he became famous, he   
   remained humble and did not lead an easy life. He never ate before   
   sunset. When he did eat, his food was dried fruit and vegetables. He   
   never ate meat or cooked or warm food. Saint John knew that his life   
   of self-sacrifice would help him stay close to God.   
      
   The last 3 days of his life, Saint John gave wholly to God, forsaking   
   food and drink, and kneeling in constant prayer On the third he was   
   found on his knees as in prayer, but his soul was already with the   
   Lord.   
      
   Saint John of Egypt carved out a life of solitude and prayer for   
   himself. In that solitude, not only did he come to understand himself   
   better--his interior holiness and weaknesses--he came to understand   
   the Lord, draw closer to Him, and serve Him on earth. Saint John   
   turned from the world in a dramatic manner, giving up all that he had   
   to live in solitude with the Lord. While it may not be possible or   
   practical for us to do the same today, how might our spiritual lives   
   benefit and grow from finding some time each day to spent in solitude   
   with the Lord? How can we set aside time for prayer, contemplation,   
   and study of the Scriptures--like Saint John of Egypt--and in the   
   process, grow closer to our Living God?   
   - by Jacob   
      
      
   Bible Quote:   
    And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I   
   should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it   
   profiteth me nothing. (1 Cor. 3:13)   
      
   Saint Quote:   
   And now, compassionate God,   
   I pray for your mercy,   
   as you instructed in your own words,   
   “Make offerings in the name of God’s salvation   
   and you shall be made holy,   
   for I want contrition not sacrifice.”   
   Be exalted anew in remembrance   
   of this offering in incense,   
   for everything is in you, and everything is from you.   
   To you glory from all.   
   -- Saint Gregory of Narek from "Tenets of Prayer", Prayer 4   
      
      
   <><><><>   
   Sub Tuum Præsidium   
      
   We turn to you for protection, holy Mother of God   
      
   [continued in next message]   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)