Long-suffering

I've had the following article on long-suffering, temptation and mercy on my desk for sometime so want to share it with you now. It is written by Maximus the Confessor (580-662), not exactly a well known name among us. He was born into an aristocratic family and became a monk in or around 614. In this writing he addresses the topic mentioned above with appeals to David and Job. Then he goes on e step further, pointing out that foolish ones remain in their downtrodden state when in reality God's mercy has already visited them - just not in the manner they expect. When asked what is long-suffering? he replied.

"Perseverance in adversity, endurance of evils, to abide to the end of temptation, not to let one's anger out by chance, not to speak a word in folly, not to suspect or to think anything that does not become a God-fearing man (in our day he would have said person), as Scripture says, 'A long-suffering man shall bear for a time and afterwards joy shall be restored to him. He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his understanding.' These then are the marks of long-suffering. Yes, and to reckon oneself the cause of temptation, also belongs properly to long-suffering. Perhaps that is the way things are. In fact, many of the things that befall us, befall us us for our training, either to do away with past sins or to correct present neglect or to check future sinful deeds. He then who reckons that temptation has come upon him for one of these reasons, is not vexed at its attack, especially as he is conscious of his sin. nor does he censure him through whom the temptation came; for whether through him or through another, he surely has to drain the chalice of the divine judgments. Rather, he looks to God and gives thanks to Him that pardons; he censures himself and heartily accepts the chastisement, as did David with Semei (II Kings 16:10), and as Job with his wife (Job 2:10). The foolish man often asks God to be merciful; when the mercy comes, he does not accept it, as it did not come, in fact as he willed, but as the Physician of souls thought fitting. And so he gives no heed and is thrown into confusion: now he is angered at men, now he blasphemes God; indeed he only shows his want of sense and receives nothing but the rod."

Here are the fourteen words I've selected from my lectionary readings of the past two weeks; perhaps one or two may connect with your spiritual quest.

devoted             clean

show                  message

shepherd           exalt

singing               new

guide                 water

snatch               commandment

tested                conquer

I received a book a few months ago. It was given to me by a man who found the book in his mother's belongings when they were cleaning out her house in The Netherlands. It is a simple book with a prayer for every day which likewise is the title of the book. It was written in Dutch and this man translated it into English because he felt the prayers were worthy of being heard and prayed. I have appreciated its addition to my spiritual disciplines. (The translator is Peter Buma, Grand Rapids MI.)

Here is the prayer for today: "O Lord, grant me a lively and peaceful consciousness that I am your child. Help me to think seriously about my calling so that I avoid doing foolish things. Do not let my feet slip."  Amen!