From: rich <
richarra@gmail.com>
March 27th - Saint John of Egypt, hermit and clairvoyant
(also known as Saint John of Lycopolis)
304-394
=C2 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, =E2=80=9CYou 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!=E2=80=9D Following his falling ill, Pallad= ius
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, =E2=80=9COne 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.=E2=80=9D Saint John warned i=
n
particular against vanity as well, saying: =E2=80=9CVanity 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.=E2=80=9D
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:
=C2 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,
=E2=80=9CMake offerings in the name of God's salvation
and you shall be made holy,
for I want contrition not sacrifice.=E2=80=9D
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
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Sub Tuum Pr=C3=A6sidium
We turn to you for protection, holy Mother of God
Listen to our prayers and help us in our needs.
Save us from every danger,
glorious and blessed Virgin.
--- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
* Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)