Ancient Wisdom for Today: Three Stories from Desert Monks

Ancient Wisdom for Today: Gerald Sittser of Whitworth University tells three stories of early Christian monastics that show the relevance of ancient wisdom for today. First, from John Cassian's "Conferences" about a young monk who is battling the demon of lust for years, and an old monk who doesn't understand the intimate role of God in offering grace for growth. Second, the story of a boastful young monk who'd rather pray than work. Normal Christian life, we learn, includes both working and praying - both Martha and Mary. Finally, the story of Macarius of Egypt, who learns from two sisters about living for God everyday, right where we are. It's not about living in the desert or the city; rather, everything is spiritual.

[@samanthahill2925]

"It's that we learn to live for God, right where we are." I needed that today 😊❤

[@TheRealRealOK]

Of course this is still relevant today. The Eastern Orthodox Church doesn’t change and the ancient wisdom still applies.

[@patrickmac2799]

The Desert Fathers existed before an eastern or western church.

[@JimOverbeckgenius]

@@patrickmac2799 The Alexandrian Theology of Orthodoxy is what the Desert Fathers taught, from Origen, Anthony, Athanasius Cyril et al

[@viidakkomehu9533]

wow u dam noobs, ancient wisdom would mean that u would know that bible is bs. And that ancient wisdom would A LOT older than bible.

[@TheRealRealOK]

@@patrickmac2799 No they didn’t. What are you talking about? Do you know who the desert Fathers are?

[@TheRealRealOK]

@@viidakkomehu9533 Go tell someone who wants to listen to your nonsense.

[@brattyyoung1917]

Thank You Jesus!!!Keep saving me.😊🙏😊

[@goranvuksa1220]

@paul w Religion is practice of spirituality, so any practice of spirituality is religion. And bad practice is bad religion will get you "bad" spirituality.

[@lifefoundinhim]

paul w Jesus died so you can go to Heaven. Your sins can be forgiven if you ask for Jesus to make you who He wants you to be. Life is one, don’t reject the love of God or you will be eternally separated from Him.

[@eho6380]

@@lifefoundinhim Jesus is a Prophet and there's no Salvation in him dying. There's only Salvation when we enter the Paradise.

[@viidakkomehu9533]

wow u dam noobs, ancient wisdom would mean that u would know that bible is bs. And that ancient wisdom would be A LOT older than bible.

[@lincolncity9]

Ancient wisdom for modern times. You can take the monk out of the desert but you can't take the desert out of the monk.

[@SonuYadav-hd5qk]

Thank u Jesus!!!!, Keep saving me.

[@rebeccawatt9386]

Absolutly awesome!! Thanks so much for sharing this with us, what a blessing!!

[@BiolaCCT]

you're very welcome! Jerry Sittser is also in our most recent podcast on the vice of Acedia: cct.biola.edu/fighting-noonday-demon-kathleen-norris-acedia-boredom-desert-spirituality/

[@obeyjesus1973]

Do you want to hear what Jesus Christ has to say?

[@frantisekmicek5030]

@@obeyjesus1973 WHAT???

[@tonethetallbaldy5039]

Rebecca maybe it's a sinful statement but you are beautiful. Bless you in your search sister.

[@viidakkomehu9533]

wow u dam noobs, ancient wisdom would mean that u would know that bible is bs. And that ancient wisdom would be A LOT older than bible.

[@jessiesnider7704]

I am thrilled! I hear someone speaking about such with the same emotions as I .

[@obeyjesus1973]

Would you like to hear the true word of God?

[@sinfulyetsaved]

I wish protestants could see.. The deep wisdom and the fullness of the faith within orthodox if we lived in an orthodox world where the people did thier very best to live it out ... Heaven would come down to earth..

[@lelandhumphrey3450]

Who says they don't. Pray for them and don't wish

[@Ioannikios174]

I'm a former protestant and was baptized into the Holy Orthodox Church this past Saturday. There are many who are converting!

[@Mark-yb1sp]

These stories have encouraged me today. Thank you. 😊

[@fritula6200]

This is Holiness. To be aware, everything must be Christ centered. Jesus loves to pour out His Mercy into our souls.

[@barbaraaspengen9810]

What a wise person you are. Thanks

[@fractaled3129]

These were beautiful stories, thank you.

[@Lasharella]

Last hit me very hard I really needed this right now

[@magdadrague]

Greetings from Bulgaria!

[@zereacristosnew6634]

This is so beautiful. I learned a lot in 7 minutes amazing 💜

[@cathyhhhgfluffybissessur5780]

Thank you

[@dagoat8991]

Amazing stories

[@veradowns2736]

Last story is the best story!

[@marymarysmarket3508]

The Orthodox Church is the ancient faith. These are our teachers...taught by the apostles and martyrs ☦️

[@mannytorrez2138]

Wow beautiful powerful

[@rushidhruva]

Beautiful wisdom,thanks:)

[@obeyjesus1973]

Would you like to learn about Jesus Christ?

[@viidakkomehu9533]

wow u dam noobs, ancient wisdom would mean that u would know that bible is bs. And that ancient wisdom would be A LOT older than bible.

[@shalommussie7883]

I've been asking the same question for months now that we'd have to leave the city to become sanctifies, this answered it. Worship, praise and honour the Lord whether you are in the city, dessert or even monastery.

[@viidakkomehu9533]

wow u dam noobs, ancient wisdom would mean that u would know that bible is bs. And that ancient wisdom would be A LOT older than bible.

[@bonniebucklaw4143]

I liked the stories

[@mongoharry]

To be morally virtuous, you have to possess strength. Mary and Martha might be thought of as two sides of our own personality. Not only does Mary need Martha, but she can only be as spiritual as Martha can be can be hard working.

[@helenyates3951]

Paradox is always present in life as in Mary and Martha. Both are needed in living.

[@andrewnichols2395]

Does anyone know the reference for the story of Macarios? I am trying to find it.

[@Trulipy]

Luke 14:33 (KJV) "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." Luke 12:33-34 (KJV) "[33] Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. [34] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:19-21 (KJV) "[19] Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: [20] But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Matthew 6:24-34 (KJV) "[24] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. [25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? [26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? [27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? [28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: [29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. [30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? [31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? [32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) "[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: [20],Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." John 14:15 (KJV) "If ye love me, keep my commandments." John 14:21, 23-24 (KJV) "[21] He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. [23] Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. [24] He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me." We must obey Jesus, as Christians. Stop working for money, for the food and drink that perishes! Did Jesus do that? Did Paul do that? Did Peter do that? Did John do that? No, and for those that had done it, like Peter, they left all and followed Jesus. We *need* to do this too. Matthew 7:21 (KJV) "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 6:24 (KJV) "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." We have to serve God to do His will. We cannot enter Heaven without doing His will. We cannot serve Him and do His will if we also serve mammon, or money. Quit your job and work for God! He *commands* us to do this! Your eternal destination depends greatly on this one simple thing! Please, do it, but not for me, but for both God and you!

[@StefanDruga16]

You do realise this is not the only way and if everyone quit their job, society will crumble, right? Adam was called to be a co-creator, a developer of this world and in him all of us are. There needs to be an equilibrium between fasting and prayer, and both should be done for the glory of God.

[@tonethetallbaldy5039]

@@StefanDruga16 If everyone in the world became desert fathers and mothers then the human race would have served it's purpose.

[@Msilly52]

Ok...I understand but we must put in our part and God steps in with his Mercy...if we don't do our part then we fail many times until we do...it's just like smoking, so many people quit but 4 or 7 or 1 years goes by and they return to smoking...so for it to happen one must be ready to stop, and think of the feeling we have when we fail and not want to be in those moments, and say to God I am ready, help me and God does...and time passes and there is no longer a thought of those moments....one must put in our part and then it works.

[@merryarttoonesakamarysusan559]

obnoxious background music thankfully doesnt last...

[@tomthomas5144]

Where can I read these stories from?

[@jessiesnider7704]

Tom Thomas You can read such in books titled DESERT FATHERS. . anything that says desert fathers . Also a great collection is the PHILOKALIA...there are 3 separate volumes. Enjoy my brother.. They are packed with pearls of great wisdom. Anazon has many books re: desert fathers. .. Used etc....

[@SocratesPh.D]

these stories are from St. John Cassian's "Conferences"

[@maximosbehnan6797]

these and many other stories from the desert monks can be found in the book Paradise of the monks, which you can find here or many other places. www.amazon.com/Paradise-Holy-Fathers-1/dp/0980517141 these are the stories and sayings of the desert fathers of Egypt. Enjoy

[@SLVBULL]

Stories from philokalia

[@Spiritus.Fortis]

Oh the untained beauty and straight doctrines of Orthodox Christianity, which preserved faith and the doctrines of our Lord God as received from Him and His disciples and apostles of the early church. Just look at the outcome....St Anthony the Great, St. Pachomiue the Great, St. Macarius the Great, St. Athanasius, St. Samuel the Confessor, St. Moses, St. Maurice, and many many more amazing Saints who light the sky of the COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH. If only we can translate everything...all these jewels and share them with the hungry world. I know these three stories and more from the Coptic Orthodox Church and regarding the third story, this is what the two women said: “There is no kinship between us and when we married these two brothers we asked them to leave us to be nuns but they refused. So we committed ourselves to spend our life fasting until evening and we pray diligently. When each of us had a son, whenever one of them would cry, any one of us would carry and nurse him even if he was not her own son. We are in one living arrangement, the unity of opinion is our model, and our husbands work as shepherds, we are poor and only have our daily bread and what is left over we give to the poor and needy.”

[@joycorcoran5682]

SAINTS are NOT FANATICS. READ ABOUT SAINT VERONICA GILLIANI ( WAS SHE A FANATIC?) WHO WAS?...

[@touxiong519]

Such funny stories told by Pride.

[@sinfulyetsaved]

Its called orthodoxy smh

[@EMDEEW]

these stories are a bit mediocre at best, with due respect. Want to hear great stories? Listen to ron Rolheiser. Funny, witty, razor sharp, irreverent, and acknowleding the deep and dark despair of being human.

[@joycorcoran5682]

No SAINT .

[@CHRISHADDON1010]

well is Iv ever hear of a lot of rubbish this is it. there are so many gods and they not real and all the god stories are made up. if there was a god he would be able to speak for hime is it self, you people think you cleave by talking such nonsense and stupid people listen to this crap. what is wrong with just living normally and happy. people can have morals that donr harm other people its normal to love others and be honorable

[@montsemajanmartinez9824]

Perhaps try some new rationale? Maybe something no one hasn't heard already a million times? Perhaps one of your *own* creation? In spite of all God continues to love you. Keep trying!

[@Logan-tx3lk]

May God open your eyes

[@ruzickaw]

These are the old useless stories of the desert monks. Fighting lust? Whatfore? By the grace of God you overcome it? Why should you? If God createtd man )evolution did) than God built in lust into human nature, so it is natural. Live it, use it , but dont wate your life with such a useless struggle. Besides: living in the desert is dangerous. Go back into the city and work and life a normal life and these useless problems will not accure because you will not have time for them,.

[@maximosbehnan6797]

Lust is something that God built in humans to keep the race, so that is not the argument or the battle, but how it's used and controlled. If you control your lust then you are a spiritual person able to keep the body and the desires under the control of the spiritual mind, however, if lust controls you and your mind, then there IS a struggle, the one these people went through and many of us do as well. It's the struggle to be the one in control of our needs, desires, lusts, decisions, and actions instead of being controlled by all these. The story says only God, who according to you and I agree, created these desires in us, only him can grant us the grace to overcome them and subject them to the power of the spirit.

[@TheRealRealOK]

ruzickaw You clearly don’t understand the ancient Monastic traditions of Eastern Christianity. Without monks, the world is done.

[@ruzickaw]

@@TheRealRealOK With monks the world is done. Nobody works the fields, nobody has children, the old people are left alone, no schools, just stupid old religion. How great!

[@StefanDruga16]

@@ruzickaw there are literally monks working there. Did you even watch the video? Monks kickstarted schools and hospitals, at least in the Orthodox East, the first hospitals and schools appeared in monasteries' yards and the first doctors and teachers were monks. Had it not been for these people we'd still be living in the Dark Ages. Leave the fedora for a moment and actually think, don't fall for the "I'm an atheist so I'm smart". Just as Heisenberg said: "a small sip from the glass of science leads one to atheism, but God is always waiting at the bottom of the glass".

[@SLVBULL]

ruzickaw remember the world hated me before it hated you.