The Sayings of the Desert Fathers: The Apophthegmata Patrum: 59 The Alphabetical Collection (1975) – Benedicta Ward SLG (Translator)
The history of Christian monasticism in the Eastern Church goes back to the late 3rd century. The first Christian monks fled from civilization, partly to escape Roman persecution and to live in solitude and contemplation in the deserts of Syria, Palestine and Egypt. They were responding to Christ’s call to follow him forsaking the world and retreating into the desert like He himself did before his public ministry. In contrast to the systematic theology of the founding fathers of the Church, these people sought to directly respond to the Call of the Lord to follow Him. They laid the foundations of Christian monasticism, detaching from worldly concerns, seeking to lead a life of radical simplicity, poverty, celibacy prayer, fasting, vigil, and work. Their austere asceticism is continued in the Eastern churches even today. The monastic who retreated from society either lived as a recluse or joined a small community of individuals with similar intentions. These came to be known as the Desert Fathers, and Mothers. The earliest known Desert Father is St Paul of Thebes who lived in the3rd century. The most famous name is St. Anthony of Egypt, considered the founder of the first organized monastic order. His monastery has survived to this day near the Red sea. There are other illustrious names such as St. Pachomius of the Thebaid who organized nine monasteries for both men and women, Macarius the Egyptian, Arsenius the Great, and the twenty-seven abbas (fathers) and three mothers whose 1,202 sayings were collected in the influential Apophthegmata Patrum (The Sayings of the Desert Fathers). As these men (and women too) drew the attention of the public, people often went to them seeking spiritual advice and counsel. The source of this ancient book of wisdom is their Sayings that include spiritual advice, anecdotes, parables, and reflections on life. Collected and compiled over a long period of time and from many sources themes such as Charity, Fortitude, Lust, Patience, Prayer, Self-control, and spiritual Visions are dealt with. The book has been an inspiration to those Christians who strove for an uncompromising obedience to the word and to the spirit of the Gospel.
The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?
Rick Warren (2002)
Warren’s book grounded in Biblical wisdom seeks to offer answers to the very basic questions that people ask. What is the reason- the meaning and purpose for my existence? The book is presented as a 40 chapters spiritual project one for each day parallel to the forty days repeatedly cited in the Bible from the story of Noah to the apostles waiting for the Pentecost after the Resurrection. We are invited to meditate upon, interact and personalize the lessons. At the end of each chapter there are four features to help the reader – A point to ponder, a verse to remember, a question to consider and discussion questions.
The forty chapters are organized under sections designating the Five Purposes identified by the author, each of which is discussed in detail.
The Five purposes of life are
1: Planned for God’s Pleasure- worship—bringing pleasure to God, a lifestyle that centers on making God happy. God did not need to create you .But he chose to for his own enjoyment, for his benefit, his glory, his purpose and his delight.
2: Formed for God’s Family- God wants his family to be known for its love more than anything else. Live intentionally sharing the faith, in our own life conditions avoiding envy and in the spirit of unity, thus realizing God’s purposes.
3: Created to become Like Christ- Combining determination with a willingness to follow the Holy Spirit. If you want to live a Christ like life, serve selflessly, be kind and caring and be committed to justice to make better the lives of others. Begin by recognizing those little moments of intuitive knowledge guided by the Holy Spirit that reveal what is right. Steady efforts are needed to change our habits and be like Jesus.
4: Shaped for Serving God- This is called ministry, the way God planned for you, to serve others is uniquely yours. God designed you to make a contribution, a difference with your life.
5: Made for a Mission- ministry means how one serves other believers; mission means our service to unbelievers. Our divine assignment is to spread word of his love, his glory, and the promise of eternal life to unbelievers. Christian mission is at once unique and also a shared one.
Prof Gigy Joseph
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